Introduction

There are over 140,000 species of moths worldwide (1) and they take on the important role of pollination. As a species some pollinate during the day but most moths are nocturnal pollinators; they visit a variety of plants for nectar after dark and take care of the nocturnal flowers. Normally the flower moths target are in clusters, open late, pale or white colored, and have nectar deeply hidden (ample nectar producers; like tobacco, yucca, gardenia, etc.) (1). Some species hover or land on the flowers they visit and other species of moths only pollinate specific flowers. The pollen transported by moths play an important role in facilitating genetic diversity in plant communities throughout our environment due to the elongated distances moths can travel compared to other pollinators like bees (2). The Hawk Moth for instance is known for their ability to travel incredible distances and is known to spread pollen farther than 18 miles away (4). The insect has a broad range of connections and capabilities. 

Cultural Connections

As a diverse and vast species, moths travel across the world and are known to represent many cultural connections depending on where you are. Moth species are valued, named, and used differently based on the different relationships people have with the various moths. They are also used and valued at different stages of metamorphosis depending on the values, cultural traditions, and use of the moth species. The different species also tend to be named based on what region of the world you're in and how the community of people perceive the species. In Zambia (Bemba) the bag the bagworm ‘kantebele’ is used as a charm in the beginning of the cisunga ceremony, which is performed when menstruation begins (3). In the central highlands of Madagascar on tapia (Uapaca bojeri) trees during the last larval stage caterpillars spin the cocoon attached to the branches before pupating (3). When they are traded they carry the saying ‘Broy manan-tong rota hoa tra my landy’, which means the cocoons have no limbs but have feet because of the long distances they travel to be traded (3). This species of wild silkworm has such a small yield and is difficult to harvest. This silk (lamba akotofahna) created by this species has historically been seen as a distinction of wealth, power, and was worn only by royalty. Other ethnic groups like the Merina (later the Betsileo) value another type of silk cloth called ‘lamba mena’ which they use during their burial process ‘famadihana’ (learn more within the sources below) (3). Moths have a lot of different uses, in Uganda (Ganda, Nyoro) the cocoon of the species, A.panda is burned and the fumes cure severe headaches (3). In Zambia bagworms are used for their medicinal value to help with hiccups, coughing, nose bleeding, hemorrhages, and childbirth (3). These examples are only a small snippet of the endless capabilities that moths possess.

Pollinators Role in the Food System

While talking on the night shift of pollination, certain moth species are valued for their taste and others for their specified pollination skills. In Southern Africa the most eaten is the mopan caterpillar (Gonimbrasia belina) and has very high nutritional value (3). In West Africa, Burkina Faso and Chad (a country in central Africa), the caterpillar (Cirina butyrospermi vuillet)  is another nutritional species that is regularly eaten. The caterpillars of moths are often seen as a delicacy in many places throughout Africa and in native cultures. They are incorporated into various dishes like stews, soups, rice dishes and sometimes thrown into oil to be fried and eaten alone. On the other side of the food system certain moths only pollinate specific plant species and are the only way a lot of plants are pollinated. Without moths a lot of plants wouldn’t get the necessary pollen for the plant to bear fruit and produce new seeds. For instance the yucca plant is dependent on the yucca moth for survival, it's the only insect that can pollinate the plant and continue its life cycle. Due to the anatomy of the plant and its hard to reach central hole, only the female yucca moth can pollinate the flower (see below within the sources to read more about how and why the yucca moth has specific adaptations to pollinate the yucca plant) (1). Similarly to the Yucca, the Gardenia plant is mostly pollinated by moths, but not exclusively. The Gardenia plant tends to have a more powerful scent as night falls which attracts moths as they start their nocturnal pollination shift. Due to the gardenias ample leaf space there is enough room for a few months to comfortably sit in front of the blossom and drink the nectar. Moths cater to over 40 different plant species, and without them there would be less blossoms. Moths are important within our food system, but their populations are declining due to the harm our built infrastructure has brought on the environment that they live in. Look at the links below to learn how you can help save and protect them! 

Additional resources to support Moths:

Sources cited

  1. United States Department of Agriculture.”Moth Pollination”.U.S Forest Service.3/20/22.https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/animals/moths.shtml

  2. Hasse, Kaitlin.”The Night Shift:Moths As Nocturnal Pollinators”. Xerces Society. 6/15/20. https://xerces.org/blog/the-night-shift-moths-as-nocturnal-pollinators

  3.   Van Huis, Arnold.”Cultural Significance of Lepidoptera in Sub-Saharan Africa”. BioMed   Central. 6/13/19.  https://ethnobiomed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13002-019-0306-3

  4.  Eisenstadt, Abigail. “Why Hawk Moths are the Underdogs of the Pollinator World”. Smithsonian Magazine. 6/22/20. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/national-museum-of-natural-history/2020/06/22/why-hawk-moths-are-underdogs-pollinator-world/