Types Of Moths In Bc

Indian meal moths clothes moths.

Types of moths in bc. With roughly 2000 species of moths in bc they outnumber butterflies roughly 10 1 but are noticed to a lesser degree because of their nocturnal habits. Here we feature some of the common butterflies and a few moths to be found in and around merritt british columbia. Size from 6 mm to 10 mm long with wingspans from 12 mm to 16 mm. In british columbia there are about 2285 species of lepidoptera recorded 184 are butterflies including 29 skippers and 2101 are moths.

The species feeds on foliage with a fondness for hemlock and douglas fir trees and during serious outbreaks these trees can be entirely stripped of their leaves. There are over 160000 recorded species of moths across the globe with around 11000 of these being found in the united states and around 2500 being found in the united kingdom. Scientists have identified some 250000 species of moths world wide but suspect there may be that many again waiting to be discovered. These numbers vary depending on the authorities consulted.

The species of these moths is referred to as a generalist feeder which means that they consume almost all types of plant species including many herbs and trees. Has existing strategies to deal with outbreaks including biological insecticides and promoting mixed species forests that are less attractive to the moths. Moth caterpillars spin a silk cocoon before changing into a moth. A number of sphinx moth species in bc are active only during the daylight hours where they can occasionally be seen nectaring at flowers.

The wingspan of these moths ranges from 45 65 cm and the wings are orange yellowish in color with pointed and marked forewings. The outbreak of these moths is now in its second year according to richard hamelin professor in forest pathology at ubcs faculty of forestry. Moths are usually active at night and rest during the day in their preferred habitat. Colour varies by species.

Moths are flying insects in the order of lepidoptera which is also the same order to which butterflies belong. While there is public recognition of two distinct and separate groups moths and butterflies experts include butterflies and the closely. But this years outbreak is. Moths can be found in bc in almost every type of habitat.

Description indian meal moths have a reddish brown or copper sheen on their forewings while clothes moths have a buff or gold colouration with reddish gold hairs on the top of the head and around the wings. Are seeing an infestation of the western hemlock looper moths this year with thousands more of the insects.