Moth Food
Facts about Plants that Supply Moth Food
Nature is a synergistic cycle where benefits are seen for many combinations; such as when a plant provides a moth food that it needs for its survival and the moth provides the pollination action that the plant needs for its survival.
Moths are part of the order Lepidoptera, along with their counterpart, the butterflies. Rather than possessing mouths or mandibles with which to eat, they are provided by nature with a proboscis; furled tongues that are designed to reach deep inside of flowers to remove the nectar. Some may also use this instrument to extract juices from fruit, preferring overripe varieties. Nectars can vary from species to species for preferences, but can include honeysuckle, petunias, hosta, pinks, sweet William, evening primrose, flowering tobacco, red valerian and verbena. Fruits may range from citrus to rotting apples and pears. Other methods of obtaining moth food are from wounds on animals, animal droppings and tree sap. There is even one species that obtains its moth food nutrients by sipping muddy waters.
Because moths are nocturnal, they feed at night. Plants that provide nectar as moth food will have flowers that are traditionally night blooming or day and night blooming. The flowers most favored by moths will be pale colored so that they are easily visible in the darkness. Normally, these flowers will be tubular, or cupped, providing a receptacle from which the moth can sip.
To reciprocate from providing the moth food, the same moths assist various plants in propagating their species through pollination. More widespread in the Southwest than anywhere else in the United States, moths seek out those flowers that provide the moth food as it transfers pollen from flower to flower in return. This pollination can be through direct contact with the flower or simply by passing through a drift of flowers. Southwest flowers are more reliant on moth pollination due to the warmer climate that area experiences during the evening hours and because of the ideal habitat it provides for the moths. It is thought that many of these night bloomers are designed specifically for pollination by moths, but since the retribution by the moth is unreliable, the plants always have a backup plan such as self-pollination.
There are some adult moths that do not feed at all. These are generally species which have a very short life span, usually only several days, so there is no need for moth food. These moths concentrate solely on reproduction, with mating and laying eggs their only purpose in life.
It is a great system when nature works hand in hand to ensure each other’s survival. Flowering plants that supply a moth food, which in turn provides pollination and propagation for the plant is the perfect scheme for a sustainable nature.