MOTH: Coping With Life

 When we encounter moths, they are flying into lights in the dark of the night. We hear about the destructive Gypsy Moths, who have eaten entire forests in eastern North America. Perhaps we learn about the Silk Moth that feeds on mulberry leaves and wraps himself in a cocoon of silk in which he transforms himself into an adult. Moths are mysterious insects that flutter about, not quite butterflies. (Note 1)

 

Most people do not know about daytime moths like Mother Shipton. Poplar Hawk Moths rest on tree trunks where they are perfectly camouflaged by their gray-brown wings. Recognizable by her large eyespots, the Emperor Moth uses the spots to confuse and frighten attackers. The Death’s-Head Hawk-Moth makes a squeak when picked-up, scaring people. The Peppered Moth exists in two dramatically different forms – the normal pale, and the dark one that lives in smoky towns. Moths use a variety of strategies to cope with life as they find it.

 

Moths of myths have reflected people’s ideas of them. Moths in the Bible represent the frailty of humans and human existence. Psyche of the Greeks, depicted with moth wings, as the Goddess of the Soul, guides the soul from life to death. In the Appalachian Mountains, white moths mean that the ancestors are present. Meanwhile, the Death’s-Head Hawk-Moth has a reputation of being an harbinger of doom. (Note 2)

 

One notable moth is the Black Witch Moth, a large dark colored moth, shaped like a bat. In the Mexican, Central American, and Caribbean cultures, seeing one means death, sickness, or misfortune. Called “duppy bat” in Jamaca, the moth is a lost soul. In Hawai’i, the moth is a loved one’s soul returning to say good-bye.

 

The Orizaba Silk Moth, a large moth, represents the Aztec Goddess, Itzpapatotl, the Obsidian Butterfly. Itzpapalotl rules in Tamoanchan, a paradise for still-born infants and women who died during childbirth. Her wings are tipped with either obsidian or flint knives.

 

The Mothman of West Virginia is a being from the great beyond. This bipedal moth-human has glowing eyes and large wings. West Virginians tell of strange sightings and tragic events when The Mothman is about. (Note 3)

 

In all of the moth’s forms, he copes with life as he finds it. Larvae of Pine-tube Moths tie needles together with silk for protection. Larvae of Bagworm Moths construct little bags out of plant debris and silk to live in. The larvae poke their heads and feet out to feed and move. Learn from the moth various strategies of coping in all aspects of your life.

 

Notes:

 

Note 1: The differences between butterflies and moths: Butterflies have clubbed antenna. Moths form a cocoon, butterflies, a chrysalis. Moths have a frenulum which holds their two wings together during a flight.

 

“Despite their small size, butterflies and moths are some of the world’s most wondrous animals. Their beauty, seemingly miraculous metamorphosis, and apparently carefree flight all spark our imaginations.” – Barbra Feldman, Surf Net Kids.

 

Note 2. “Ode to Melancholy” by John Keats. “Make not your rosary of yew-berries, Nor let the beetle, nor the death-moth be, your mournful Psyche.”

 

Note 3. An in-depth post on The Mothman will be forthcoming.