It is natural to wonder about the relationships between nocturnal insects, especially when one is a widely known pest like the mosquito. The sheer abundance of mosquitoes and the common sight of moths fluttering near outdoor lights often leads people to ask if the moth, a fellow nighttime flier, is a natural predator. Understanding the dynamics between these two insects involves looking closely at their anatomy, life stages, and feeding habits.
Fact Check The Mosquito Myth
The simple answer is that moths do not eat mosquitoes. Adult moths are not predators and lack the necessary mouthparts to capture, chew, or consume other insects. Most adult moths possess a proboscis, a long, coiled, tube-like structure designed for siphoning liquids, not for seizing prey. This specialized anatomy is unsuited for the predatory lifestyle required to hunt and eat a fast-moving insect like a mosquito.
The misconception may arise from confusing moths with insects that do hunt mosquitoes, such as dragonflies, which are often mistakenly called “mosquito hawks.” Moths play an entirely different role in the ecosystem, focusing on pollination and serving as a food source for other animals.
What Moths Actually Eat
The diet of a moth depends on its stage of life, with most feeding occurring during the larval phase. Moth caterpillars are equipped with chewing mandibles, allowing them to consume solid food sources. This larval diet is typically plant-based, consisting of leaves, stems, flowers, fruits, and roots of host plants. Some specialized larvae feed on fungi, algae, or lichens, while a few consume natural fibers like wool and silk, which contain the protein keratin.
Once a moth completes metamorphosis into the adult stage, its dietary needs shift. Many adult moth species do not feed, relying solely on energy reserves built up during the caterpillar stage to sustain their brief adult life focused on reproduction. Moths that do feed use their proboscis to consume liquids. Their diet consists of flower nectar, tree sap, honeydew excreted by aphids, or liquids from rotting fruit.
Who Are The Real Mosquito Predators
The natural control of mosquito populations is carried out by a diverse group of predators that target both the aquatic and aerial life stages. Mosquito larvae and pupae develop in standing water and are consumed by aquatic predators. The mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, is effective and used by many control agencies because of its appetite for larvae. Other aquatic insects, such as the nymphs of dragonflies and damselflies, are also predators of mosquito larvae.
Adult mosquitoes are hunted by aerial and terrestrial predators. Dragonflies, often called “mosquito hawks,” catch and consume adult mosquitoes in mid-flight. Bats consume them as part of a varied diet that includes larger insects like moths and beetles. Birds such as swallows, purple martins, and migratory songbirds also prey on adult mosquitoes, though mosquitoes may only comprise a small percentage of their overall diet. Spiders contribute to control by catching adult mosquitoes in their webs.