Common Insects – Moths
Moths are collectively known as the moths, which are the moths of the order Lepidoptera and the family Sphingidae insects. Global distribution. Stout body, the abdomen is spindle-shaped, the terminal of the antennae is hooked. The forewings are narrow and long, the hindwings are smaller, with a wingspan of 5-20cm (2-8 inches). Many species give pollination to flowers (such as orchids, cosmos flowers) when feeding on nectar.
Moth beaks are far more developed than those of ordinary moths, with strong flight power, and are among the fastest flapping insects in the world, vibrating their wings more than 1000 times in one second.
Moths have migratory habits. The Skeleton Moth (Acherontia atropos) is common in Europe and Africa; it has short beaks, with skull-shaped markings on the back of the thorax, and often feeds on the nectar of beehives; it can expel air from its mouth, thus emitting a squeaky sound; the moth larvae can make a distinctive cracking sound. Moth larvae generally feed on leaves, with a smooth body and characteristic tail angles, so they are commonly known as caterpillars. North American tobacco moths (Protoparce sexta) and tomato moths (P. quinquemaculata) damage tobacco, tomatoes and potatoes, with their larvae green and up to 10cm (4 inches) long. Moth velvet bees (Apanteles congregatus) parasitize their larvae, which can be used for biological control. Moths make nests in soil chambers or make cocoons on the ground to pupate.
Moths are one of the 1 family in the order Lepidoptera. The body is large, the forewings are large and narrow, the wing apex is sharp, with a wing harness and wing harness hook, the antennae are thick at the end and hooked moths. The term 'moth' is commonly used for insects in this subfamily. Global distribution, mainly in the tropics. There are more than 1000 known species worldwide, and about 150 known species in China. The beak is developed, far more developed than that of ordinary moths, with strong flight power, often flying among flowerbeds to feed on nectar. Most species are nocturnal, with a few diurnal. The larvae are plump, cylindrical, smooth, and have granular faces. There is a genital angle in the middle of the 8th abdominal segment, which makes a soil cocoon to pupate, the 5th and 6th segment of the pupa can be active, the last segment has a genital thorn. The pupa beak is distinct, with the difference between detaching and adhering. Adult moths can make a faint sound, and larvae can make sounds by rubbing their upper jaws.
