Editing Moth (section)

== Economics ==

=== Significance to humans ===

[[File:Moth September 2008-3.jpg|thumb|200px|An adult male pine processionary moth (''[[Thaumetopoea pityocampa]]''). This species is a serious forest pest when in its larval state. Notice the bristle springing from the underside of the hindwing ([[frenulum]]) and running forward to be held in a small catch of the forewing, whose function is to link the wings together.]]

Some moths, particularly their [[caterpillar]]s, can be major [[agriculture|agricultural]] [[Pest (organism)|pests]] in many parts of the world. Examples include [[corn borer]]s and [[Bollworm (disambiguation)|bollworm]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/eib11/eib11.pdf |title=The First Decade of Genetically Engineered Crops in the United States |last1=Fernandez-Cornejo |first1=Jorge |last2=Caswell |first2=Margriet |date=April 2006 |website=ers.usda.gov |id=Economic Information Bulletin Number 11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614154639/http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/eib11/eib11.pdf |archive-date=14 June 2010 |url-status=dead |publisher=[[USDA]]}}</ref> The caterpillar of the [[spongy moth]] (''Lymantria dispar'') causes severe damage to forests in the northeastern United States, where it is an [[invasive species]]. In temperate climates, the [[codling moth]] causes extensive damage, especially to fruit farms. In tropical and subtropical climates, the diamondback moth (''[[Plutella xylostella]]'') is perhaps the most serious pest of [[Brassicaceae|brassicaceous]] crops. Also in [[sub-Saharan Africa]], the [[Eldana|African sugarcane borer]] is a major pest of sugarcane, [[maize]], and [[sorghum]].<ref>{{Cite journal  |doi=10.1016/0167-8809(94)90070-1|title=A review and perspectives for the biological control of the African sugarcane stalkborer Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)|journal=Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment|volume=48|issue=1|pages=9–17|date=February 1994|last1=Conlong|first1=D.E.|bibcode=1994AgEE...48....9C }}</ref>

Several moths in the family [[Tineidae]] are commonly regarded as pests because their larvae eat [[Cloth|fabric]] such as [[clothes]] and [[blanket]]s made from natural [[proteinaceous]] fibers such as [[wool]] or [[silk]].<ref name="Scott">Scott, Thomas (1995). [https://books.google.com/books?id=LorrYj5pkKYC&pg=PA681 ''Concise Encyclopedia Biology''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112033954/http://books.google.com/books?id=LorrYj5pkKYC&pg=PA681 |date=12 January 2014 }}. Walter de Gruyter. {{ISBN|3-11-010661-2}}.</ref> They are less likely to eat mixed materials containing some artificial fibers. There are some reports that they may be repelled by the scent of wood from [[juniper]] and [[cedrus|cedar]], by [[lavender]], or by other natural oils; however, many consider this unlikely to prevent infestation. [[Naphthalene]] (the chemical used in [[mothball]]s) is considered more effective, but there are concerns over its effects on human health.

Despite being [[List of common misconceptions|commonly thought]] to be undertaken by all moths,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cohen |first=Arianne |date=January 27, 2010 |title=When Moths Make a Home in Yours |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/28/garden/28fix.html |access-date=June 24, 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Zwick |first1=Andreas |last2=Luo |first2=Ying |date=January 5, 2022 |title=Moths eating your clothes? It's actually their hungry little caterpillars – here's how to get rid of them |url=https://www.csiro.au/en/news/all/articles/2022/january/clothes-eating-moths |access-date=June 24, 2024 |website=[[CSIRO]]}}</ref> only the larvae of [[Clothes moth|several moth species]] eat animal fibres, creating holes in articles of clothing, in particular those made of wool. Most species do not eat fabrics, and some moth adults do not even eat at all. Some, like the [[Actias luna|Luna]], [[Antheraea polyphemus|Polyphemus]], [[Attacus atlas|Atlas]], [[Callosamia promethea|Promethea]], [[Hyalophora cecropia|cecropia]], and other large moths do not have mouth parts. This is possible because they live off the food stores from when they were a caterpillar, and only live a short time as an adult (roughly a week for some species).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Konkel |first1=Lindsey |title=7 Things You Don't Know About Moths, But Should |url=https://www.livescience.com/21933-moth-week-facts.html |website=Live Science |date=28 July 2012 |access-date=19 January 2021 |archive-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120234758/https://www.livescience.com/21933-moth-week-facts.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Many species of adult moths do however eat: for instance, many will drink [[nectar]].<ref name="Scott" />

Items of fabric infested by clothes moth larvae may be treated by freezing them for several days at a temperature below {{convert|-8|°C|°F}}.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Choe, D.-H. |url=http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7435.html |title=How to Manage Pests {{!}} Pests of Homes, Structures, People, and Pets {{!}} Clothes Moths |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070625180637/http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7435.html |archive-date=25 June 2007 |url-status=live | publisher=[[University of California, Davis]] |website=ipm.ucdavis.edu |date=21 June 2016}}</ref>

Some moths are [[farm]]ed for their economic value. The most notable of these is the [[silkworm]], the larva of the domesticated moth ''[[Bombyx mori]]''. It is farmed for the silk with which it builds its [[Cocoon (silk)|cocoon]]. {{As of|2002}}, the silk industry produces more than 130&nbsp;million kilograms of raw silk, worth about 250&nbsp;million [[United States dollar|U.S. dollars]], each year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/AD452E/ad452e2a.htm|publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations|access-date=2 October 2008|title=Table 74. Raw silk: production (including waste)|quote=Table lists worldwide raw silk production 132,400 metric tonnes in 2002|archive-date=18 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080318231103/http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/004/AD452E/ad452e2a.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiansilk.kar.nic.in/csb/Statistics/forexchg_tasar/forexchg_tasar_Local/SilkFlash/RawSilkPrice_tnap.asp|publisher=Central Silk Board of India|title=Silk Exchanges of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307195458/http://www.indiansilk.kar.nic.in/csb/Statistics/forexchg_tasar/forexchg_tasar_Local/SilkFlash/RawSilkPrice_tnap.asp |archive-date=7 March 2007 }} gives silk prices in rupees. Exchange rate is about 50 RS to dollar.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vegansociety.com/html/animals/exploitation/silk_worm.php|title=Silk Worm Farming|publisher=Vegan Society|access-date=2 October 2008|quote=World Raw Silk Production in 1996 is listed as 83,670 metric tonnes |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080619042940/http://www.vegansociety.com/html/animals/exploitation/silk_worm.php |archive-date = 19 June 2008}}</ref>

Not all silk is produced by ''Bombyx mori''. There are several species of [[Saturniidae]] that also are farmed for their silk, such as the ailanthus moth (''[[Samia cynthia]]'' group of species), the Chinese oak silkmoth (''[[Antheraea pernyi]]''), the Assam silkmoth (''[[Antheraea assamensis]]''), and the Japanese silk moth (''[[Antheraea yamamai]]'').

The larvae of many species are [[Insects as food|used as food]], particularly in Africa, where they are an important source of nutrition. The mopane worm, the caterpillar of ''[[Gonimbrasia belina]]'', from the family Saturniidae, is a significant food resource in [[southern Africa]]. Another saturniid used as food is the cavorting emperor (''[[Usta terpsichore]]''). In one country alone, [[Democratic Republic of Congo|Congo]], more than 30 species of moth larvae are harvested. Some are sold not only in the local village markets, but are shipped by the ton from one country to another.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.food-insects.com/edible%20species.htm |title=Some Edible Species |website=Food-Insects.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107031911/http://food-insects.com/edible%20species.htm |archive-date=7 November 2014}}</ref>

=== Predators and parasites ===

[[File:Tomato Hornworm Parasitized by Braconid Wasp.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Tobacco hornworm parasitized by [[Braconidae|braconid wasp]]s]]

Nocturnal insectivores often feed on moths; these include some [[bat]]s, some species of [[owl]]s and other species of [[bird]]s. Moths also are eaten by some species of [[lizard]]s, [[amphibian]]s, [[cat]]s, [[dog]]s, [[rodent]]s, and some [[bear]]s. Moth larvae are vulnerable to being parasitized by [[Ichneumonidae]].

Baculoviruses are parasite [[double-stranded DNA]] [[insect]] viruses that are used mostly as [[biological control]] agents. They are members of the [[Baculoviridae]], a family that is restricted to insects. Most baculovirus isolates have been obtained from insects, in particular from Lepidoptera.

There is evidence that ultrasound in the range emitted by bats causes flying moths to make evasive maneuvers. [[Ultrasound|Ultrasonic]] frequencies trigger a reflex action in the [[noctuid]] moth that causes it to drop a few centimeters or inches in its flight to evade attack,<ref>{{cite journal| last = Jones| first = G | author2=D A Waters| title = Moth hearing in response to bat echolocation calls manipulated independently in time and frequency| doi = 10.1098/rspb.2000.1188| year = 2000| journal = Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences| volume = 267| pmid = 11467425| issue = 1453| pmc = 1690724| pages = 1627–32}}</ref> and [[Arctiini (erebid moths)|tiger moths]] can emit clicks to foil bats' echolocation.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kaplan |first=Matt |date=17 July 2009 |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/07/090717-moths-jam-bat-sonar.html |title=Moths Jam Bat Sonar, Throw the Predators Off Course |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822014813/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/07/090717-moths-jam-bat-sonar.html |archive-date=22 August 2009 |url-status=dead |website=[[National Geographic]] News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106733884 |title=Some Moths Escape Bats By Jamming Sonar |type=video |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810131957/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106733884 |archive-date=10 August 2017 |url-status=live |website=[[NPR]] |date=17 July 2009}}</ref>

The fungus ''[[Ophiocordyceps sinensis]]'' infects the larvae of many different species of moths.<ref>{{cite journal | title=Entomopathogenicity and biological attributes of Himalayan treasured fungus ''Ophiocordyceps sinensis'' (Yarsagumba) | last1=Baral | first1=B | journal=Journal of Fungi | volume=3 | issue=1 | page=4 | pmid=29371523 | pmc=5715966 | doi=10.3390/jof3010004 | date=Feb 2017 | doi-access=free }}</ref>