There are a great many species of moths. But in almost all species, the larvae look the same. These are small worm-shaped caterpillars. On their abdomen they have six to eight short legs. The caterpillars themselves are usually light in color. And their head, equipped with powerful jaws, is dark.
Life cycle
Moth larvae are serious pests. It is the larvae that spoil clothing, furs and textiles. Butterflies are not capable of spoiling things. They don’t eat at all. The mouth apparatus of butterflies is atrophied. Their task is to reproduce their own kind.
Butterflies prefer dirty fabrics to lay eggs. They are especially attracted to clothes with traces of human sweat, as well as carpets on which liquid has been spilled.
Here for insects there is plenty of not only food, but also moisture. Caterpillars do not drink water. Therefore, their food should contain moisture.
Females lay 30 to 200 eggs. Soon, literally in five to ten days, small, almost microscopic caterpillars hatch from the eggs. The larvae immediately begin to eat intensely.
The range of foods eaten by larvae of a moth is very wide. They eat cotton, linen, silk, woolen fabrics and furs. They can also eat bran, flour, semolina and other products. Able to digest feathers and hair.
After several stages of growth, the larva pupates. Immediately after leaving the cocoon, adult butterflies begin to search for partners for procreation. Shortly after mating, the males die. Females die after laying eggs.
Under favorable conditions, a temperature of about 24 degrees and humidity of 70-75 percent, the life cycle of a moth can end in a month. At low temperatures and humidity, it can last several years.
