what do moths eat

Moths have a varied diet depending on their species and life stage. Adult moths live on a liquid diet and require very little food. They feed on liquids from flower nectar, liquids from rotting fruits, sap, honeydew, and even nutrients from bird droppings or animal dung. Some adult moths do not feed at all and rely on the energy they accrued as a larval moth while chewing through the surrounding vegetation. Moth caterpillars, on the other hand, need a lot more energy and will consume what they can find. They eat leaves and plants in the wild, and if they get into a home, the mother moths will lay eggs in moist areas that may allow for fungus to live. The caterpillars will eat wool, silk, cotton, and fur. They will even eat pet fur if need be. Some moths in a family called Tineidae feed on fungi, lichens, and other organic matter, such as rotting wood. Only two species of moths, namely the common clothes moth and the case-bearing clothes moth, eat fabric. Clothes moths eat natural fibers such as cotton, velvet, silk, wool, fur, leather, and linen. Pantry moths, also known as grain moths, weevil moths, and flour moths, will eat grain products that are raw and processed, including cereal, flour, oatmeal, baking mixes, pasta, beans, nuts, dried fruit, birdseed, spices, chocolate, and candy. Pet food such as dry dog and cat food is also a draw for pantry moths.