Order: Lepidoptera
The Moth
The Moth is one of my sacred animals. It is in the order of insects called Lepidoptera, meaning "scale wing." Moths are not merely creatures of night! There are day flying moths and some of these moths are quite flamboyant. They are often deemed more acceptable by humans and rather than feared are esteemed or often mistaken as butterflies.
Most moths do work in the dark, pollinating many plants, blending into the night with their camouflage navigating by the light of the moon and often tragically lured off course by the candle flame or the porch light. People freak out as they flutter around. They don't see the beauty and subtlety in their patterns and designs.
Many moths seem to have quite a friendly and curious nature. Many people have experienced the huge sphinx moths which are often mistaken for hummingbirds actually lighting on them. I have had moths just light on me and hang out. I had a pet moth for its brief life span because it had an injury and could not fly. she would tool around on me as if happily taking a stroll and then rest a bit.
Moths are magical, marvelous creatures that do us great benefit but are irrationally feared. Moths are killed for their silk cocoons. Moths pollinate many of our night blooming flowers, the ones we love most with their deep heady scents and the ones that give us soft fragrant breezes. There are specific moths that pollinate the healing Yucca plant.
One of the things that helped draw me into Michael Chabon's wonderful novel, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay was his fascinating use of moths in the story, even creating a comic book Super Heroine called, Luna Moth. Her alter ego, Judy Dark!
Most moths do work in the dark, pollinating many plants, blending into the night with their camouflage navigating by the light of the moon and often tragically lured off course by the candle flame or the porch light. People freak out as they flutter around. They don't see the beauty and subtlety in their patterns and designs.
Many moths seem to have quite a friendly and curious nature. Many people have experienced the huge sphinx moths which are often mistaken for hummingbirds actually lighting on them. I have had moths just light on me and hang out. I had a pet moth for its brief life span because it had an injury and could not fly. she would tool around on me as if happily taking a stroll and then rest a bit.
Moths are magical, marvelous creatures that do us great benefit but are irrationally feared. Moths are killed for their silk cocoons. Moths pollinate many of our night blooming flowers, the ones we love most with their deep heady scents and the ones that give us soft fragrant breezes. There are specific moths that pollinate the healing Yucca plant.
One of the things that helped draw me into Michael Chabon's wonderful novel, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay was his fascinating use of moths in the story, even creating a comic book Super Heroine called, Luna Moth. Her alter ego, Judy Dark!