Social media sites of late have been reading like an end-times sci-fi book with online users collectively wondering, “What’s with all the moths?” In fact, mention moths in a group and stories are likely to pour in. The only thing we’re missing here is the alarmist news broadcasts a la vintage pulp novels.
With everyone gamely playing along with killer moth/moth invasion hysteria, we decided to call an expert who could fill us in on the apocalyptical outbreak that leads to tweets like this: “I have so many moths inside my house. When they fly I scream cause I think they are bats and wanting to suck the blood from my brain cavity.”
But according to UNLV professor Alan Gibbs, whose expertise is in insect physiology, experimental evolution and evolutionary physiology, there’s nothing to see here; it’s just the usual flow.
“When the weather gets warmer the moths get more active,” he says, adding that in previous years calls have come in regarding grasshoppers, ants and scorpions. “It's the same thing. You’re going to see more of all of these things.”
“When the weather is cold, muscles don’t work as well. In winter it’s too cold to fly. When it’s cold they can’t generate enough power to take off (Hawk moths excepted).”
Gibbs did say that the plentiful number of wildflowers this year that the moths are feeding on might contribute to the perception of moth abundance.
More importantly, he added, they’re the most harmless insects you can imagine. "They don’t even have the mouth structure to bite.”
As for the suit and sweater holes, that’s the larva.
For those who want to get acquainted with their moths, Bird and Hike offers a handy guide.
Or check out this collection of moth tweets compiled by Andrea Domanick.
