Squirrels do eat moths, but this is an opportunistic behavior rather than a primary food source. These small mammals frequently consume insects, including moths, caterpillars, and grubs, especially when encountered during foraging. While their diet is largely plant-based, consuming invertebrates is a natural part of their feeding habits. This flexibility allows them to acquire specific nutrients often lacking in their standard diet of nuts and seeds.
Squirrels as Opportunistic Omnivores
A common misunderstanding is that squirrels are strictly herbivores, existing only on the nuts and seeds they are so often seen burying. Squirrels are accurately classified as opportunistic omnivores, meaning their diet incorporates both plant matter and animal protein. Their primary food sources remain high-energy items like acorns, walnuts, and various seeds, which are abundant during the fall. They readily consume whatever edible item is most easily available in their habitat.
The opportunistic nature of their feeding allows them to adapt quickly to changes in food availability throughout the year. When preferred foods become scarce, squirrels will turn to other sources, including fungi, bird eggs, and small animals. This flexibility enables them to maintain a stable diet even when environmental conditions fluctuate, ensuring they meet all their nutritional requirements.
Insects as a Supplemental Protein Source
The consumption of insects, such as moths, serves a clear nutritional purpose, providing a dense source of protein. This animal matter is especially beneficial for growth and development in younger squirrels, known as pups. Moths, their larvae (caterpillars), and pupae are often found resting on tree bark or under the soil.
Protein is an important building block for muscle and tissue repair, which is in high demand for active rodents. Nursing mothers have increased caloric and protein needs to support lactation, making insects a valuable supplement. When a squirrel finds a large, slow-moving insect like a silk moth or a beetle grub, it represents a high-reward meal requiring minimal foraging effort. Protein intake from insects helps balance the high carbohydrate and fat content found in nuts and seeds.
Seasonal and Species-Specific Dietary Shifts
The likelihood of a squirrel consuming a moth or other insect depends on the time of year and the specific species. Insect consumption typically increases dramatically in the late spring and early summer when most insects are abundant. This period often coincides with the depletion of a squirrel’s cached food stores from the previous autumn.
Dietary habits also differ between various squirrel types. Ground squirrels tend to incorporate a higher percentage of insects and small vertebrates compared to their arboreal relatives, the tree squirrels. Because ground squirrels forage primarily on or near the soil, they naturally encounter more invertebrates, such as grubs and larvae, making them more consistently omnivorous. Tree squirrels, like the Eastern Gray Squirrel, readily consume moths found on branches but rely more heavily on tree-borne resources like buds, flowers, and hard mast.