Moths and butterflies (lepidoptera)

Gary R. Mullen, Jennifer M. Zaspel, in Veterinary and Medical Entomology (3rd Edition), 2019

Moths that feed on wounds and pierce the skin

The only Lepidoptera known to be capable of piercing animal skin are members of the erebid genus Calyptra in Southeast Asia. Like many geometrid moths and other zoophilous moths, they tend to be attracted to wounds, open sores, cuts, scratches, scabs and other skin lesions (Fig. 21.22). However, while these other moths only drink fluids from exposed wounds, Calyptra spp. they are able to pierce underlying tissue to feed on blood (Fig. 21.23). Only males are hematophagous. Both males and females are thought to feed almost exclusively on fruit and may pierce the outer layers of ripe fruit to reach the sugar-rich juices they contain. Other moths closely related to Calyptra are the fruit borers, suggesting that blood feeding is a relatively recent development in this group, stemming from fruit-piercing behavior (Zaspel et al., 2012).

Several species have been observed

 Calyptra piercing the skin of mammals under natural conditions. Five species of Calyptra are known to feed on humans: Calyptra bicolor, C. fasciata, C. ophideroides, C. parva (Fig. 18.23), and C. pseudobicolor. Calyptra species have also been observed piercing the skin of elephants, water buffalo, zebu, Malayan tapir, rhinoceros, deer, antelope, mules, and pigs. Feeding times typically range from 3 to 15 min. The reaction to the penetration of the proboscis into the skin varies from being barely felt to causing locally intense pain accompanied by a burning sensation. The latter has been attributed to saliva being introduced as the moth feeds, while the amount of pain is thought to depend on the number of pain receptors hit by the piercing stylets. Other associated reactions include localized swelling that may persist for several hours, mild numbness or itching, tenderness at the sting site, and mild induration the next day.


Various Calyptra spp.

 it has been observed under natural conditions by piercing the skin of mammals. Five Calyptra spp. Known to feed on humans: C. bicolor, C. fasciata, C. ophideroides, C. parva, and C. pseudobicolor. Calyptra spp. They have also been observed piercing the skin of elephants, water buffalo, zebu, Malayan tapir, rhinoceros, deer, antelope, mule deer, and pigs. Not surprisingly, they are often called "vampire moths." At least three other species have been observed to pierce human skin and take a blood meal under experimental conditions: C. eustrigata, C. fletcheri and C. thalictri (Figs. 21.23 and 21.24). Feeding times typically range from 3 to 15 minutes. Response to proboscis penetration of the skin ranges from barely perceptible pain to severe localized pain accompanied by a burning sensation. The latter has been attributed to saliva introduced when the moth eats, while the intensity of the pain is thought to depend on the number of pain receptors encountered by the piercing stylets. Other associated reactions include local swelling that may last for several hours, mild numbness or itching, tenderness at the sting site, and a slight induration the following day.