How long moths live

Moths are diverse in colors, shapes, and sizes. These live and feed mainly on flowering plants. They are nocturnal active at night by nature. The total life span includes the larval stage, pupal stage, and adult stage.

The life span of moths varies from species to species. Moths of some of the insect species may live for a few days or weeks and on the other hand, there are species whose adult life span is of months. This shows the degree to which their life may differ. The life cycle of a typical moth is as follows Moths live very shortly as species. Moths are very fragile and vulnerable.

They require a certain surrounding to grow and reproduce. Some Arctic butterflies are believed to have a 2-year life cycle due to the extremely short growing season and the scarcity of high quality food for the larval stage. And some desert species, which normally have a life cycle of only one year, may hibernate as larvae or pupae for up to 7 years waiting for adequate rainfall to ensure growth of the host plant.

On the other hand, southern species may have numerous fast-developing but short-lived generations each year. Finally, among the many species that are distributed over a wide latitudinal zone, it is not uncommon for northern populations to have one or two flights annually while more southerly populations have many flights annually. In some cases, the number of flights is considered taxonomically significant; for example, the Eastern and Canadian tiger swallowtails are now recognized as separate species, partially based on the fact that the Canadian species has only one flight per year vs for the Eastern species.

Average Life Span Often people want to know the "average" life span of a butterfly or some other species. This is a very different question than the one answered above, as it requires knowledge of age-specific death rates.

These are not known for free ranging Lepidoptera or indeed for most wild animals. About all that can be said is that only a minute fraction of larvae survive to adulthood, and the average butterfly life span or life expectancy is correspondingly much shorter than the figures given above would indicate.

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But it can sometimes be difficult to tell if you have a moth problem. What are some ways to figure out if you should call an exterminator? Firstly, take notice if you see a lot of small, similar-looking moths flying around your house, especially during winter or near closets and pantries.

Damaged clothing, stains, caterpillars, and dead and live moths may all be signs of a moth infestation. The same goes for pantry goods. Old food in poorly sealed packaging can be a breeding ground for moths. If you suspect a moth infestation, especially one that involves a lot of moths and moth damage, it might be best to call pest control and let the professionals get rid of the moths for you.

Before you call a pest control service, read through our moth articles first to see how easy DIY elimination can be. Click here to see them all. Many species of moth can not only survive but may thrive in your house. Moths that fly inside chasing a light source are generally harmless, but keep an eye out for pest moths that may find their way into your pantry or closet.

If you suspect you have a moth infestation, do what you can to remove the moths and call for pest control if you need additional help. Skip to content Pests About Menu. Why It Matters Think about the moths that get into dried foods.

Do Moths Need Light to Live? Best Ways to Catch a Moth If a moth flies in through your front door, it may or may not be one of the pest species that will set up shop in your pantry or closet.

Try Sticky Traps Sticky traps for moths work much like sticky traps for other pests. Once moths climb inside, they stick to the glue and die. There are different kinds of sticky traps. Check Price on Amazon Others are made for cupboards and pantries to keep moths out of food. Check Price on Amazon Hanging strips of fly tape from ceiling fans or lamps is also an effective tool to use against moths.

Use a Butterfly Net If you have a butterfly net, like this one on Amazon , you may be able to use it in a similar way you would use a container. Final Thoughts Many species of moth can not only survive but may thrive in your house. Share on facebook Facebook.