In the moth life cycle, the larval stage (when the moth is a caterpillar) is when the real eating happens. Think of it like the teenage phase: nonstop snacking to fuel rapid growth.
During this time, moth larvae will eat:
- Plant material like leaves, stems and seeds
- Rotting fruits and veggies
- Animal dung or bird droppings, depending on the species
Once they’ve had their fill, the caterpillars form cocoons and transform into winged adults.
But here’s the twist: Adult moths of many species don’t eat at all. They use up the energy stored as caterpillars and focus on finding mates and laying eggs. Some adults, like those in the Saturniidae family, don’t even have functional mouths.
That said, a few adult-stage moths do drink nectar, pollinating food plants along the way.
