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 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.
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Found throughout most of the world, butterflies are the most beloved of insects. The Monarch of the New World and Swallowtail of the Old World are greatly admired for their beauty. What people do not realize is that butterflies and moths belong to the same Order of Lepidoptera (scale wing). They think that there are dramatic differences between the two species. For instance, butterflies are always beautiful, and moths are not. However, many moths such as Luna Moth are beautiful, while many butterflies such as Cabbage Butterfly are dull colored. What makes butterflies beloved by people, and moths sinister and mysterious? Butterflies are seen during the day, while moths only come out at night.
 
What butterflies are best known for are their magical transformations. From a rather, dowdy caterpillar springs forth a magnificent butterfly. Mother Butterfly lays eggs on a particular plant species. For weeks after the caterpillars emerge, they feed off the plant. After molting several times, the now legless caterpillars become chrysalis, thereby suspending themselves from leaves by a girdle of silk. After a period of internal transformation, the adults emerge as butterflies.
 
Many people associated butterflies with souls. In Europe, the newly dead would hover near their body as a butterfly. In Ireland, the white butterfly held the soul of a dead child. For others, the butterfly meant the death of the body, and the rebirth of the soul in paradise. In Mexico, the Monarchs arrive at the Day of the Dead (Dia de Los Muertos). Some see these butterflies as spirits of their ancestors returning.
 
To the Chinese, butterflies are a symbol of joy. The Japanese regard a pair of butterflies as a symbol of married happiness. The Japanese thought that if one enters your home and perches on a screen, that the person that you love would come to visit.
 
For Christians, the butterfly is a symbol of resurrection, new life, and immortality. Like Christ who died and rose again, the butterfly dies as a caterpillar and emerges from the chrysalis as a glorious butterfly. This act symbolizes Christ rising from the Tomb.
 
Various species of butterflies have specific meanings. In Ancient Egypt, the Tiger Butterfly was associated with Ra, the God of the Sun. (This butterfly resembled the ankh.) In the Appalachian Mountains, the Fritillary means money is coming, while in the Ozarks, the Mourning Cloak means that spring is here.
 
The lessons of the Butterfly Family are let go of old behavior, and move into the next phase of your life. Trust in the process of change, and weather the winds of uncertainty. Know when you are going through a transition that the butterfly is there to help you through it. Remember not to be in such a hurry. Be like the butterfly and take your time, and be still for a while.
 
Note: 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.

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