Moth
the popular name of a numerbeing horizontal when resting, and by varying in form to a p their being seldom seen on the wing except in the evening or at night (though there are many species of moth that fly in the brightest sunshine, and some butterflies that appear at twilight). Moths are comparatively larger than butterflies and more hairy or downy in character.
There are thousands of species, differing greatly in color, form, size, habit and MOTHER-OF-PEARL diet. The giant owl moth of Brazil measures nearly a foot from tip to tip, and there is a gilded species smaller than a pin's head. Certain moths are destitute of tongues and pass through the winged state without food. Among the moths notable for their striking appearance, are the death's head, the luna (having long-tailed wings of light green), the royal walnut moth (exclusively American), the tiger and the sphinx moths.
In their larval state, when they are known as caterpillars, moths are among the worst foes of our gardens, orchards and shade trees. The larva of the white miller is very common in gardens; the tent caterpillar is recognized by the webs it makes in fruit trees, and the larva of the apple moth (developed from eggs deposited in the blossom end of the fruit) is very familiar. The household moths (Tinex) are well known on account of the injury they work among clothes, carpets, furs, etc. One species of moth, the silk worm (Bombyx Mori) has long been serviceable to man.