Moths of Honduras
Honduras has from 6,000 - 8,000 different species of moths. Most moths are miniature to small. Many have very intricate designs or color patterns on the wings. Some are even green. Most of their colors; however, are subtle and there is very little difference between the color of a male and a female. Moths communicate with each other mostly through odors called phermones. They usually mate the same day they are born. A pheromone is released from the abdomen of the female. The male, with his antennae, smells her and locates her in the dark. About 80% of the moths fly during the night. About 20% are day-flying moths. The Saturnidae moths are born without a mouth and never feed as adults. They live about one week.
The following are some of the moth boxes you will see at the museum.
Click on any picture to see it larger.
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| Thysania agrippina | Noctuidae | Sphingidae |
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| Saturnidae | Saturnidae | Saturnidae |
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| Small Moths like wasps | Small Moths | Uraniidae |
Thysania agrippina is the widest moth species in the world. It is found in southern Mexico and in Central America. Wingspans have been recorded up to 30 centimeters.
Noctuidae: This is the largest family of moths and most are attracted to lights at night. They are mostly heavy-bodied with the front wings somewhat narrowed and the hind wings broadened. The labial palps are usually long; the antennae are usually hair like. The notorious black witch is believed in Honduras to be a sign of death in the family if it enters a house.
Sphingidae: The Sphinx are medium to large insects. They have long, beautifully streamlined forewings, short but slender triangular hind wings and elongated bodies. The antennae are slightly thickened in the middle or toward the tip. These moths are strong fliers. Most are active at dusk. Most of them feed much like hummingbirds, hovering in front of a flower and extending their proboscis into it. Some have very long proboscis and drink nectar from the throats of long-necked flowers.
Saturnidae: These are the giant silkworm moths and royal moths. This family includes some of the largest moths in the world. Many members of this family are conspicuously or brightly colored, and many have transparent eyespots in the wings. The species with false eyespots in the hind wings can suddenly expose these to startle a predator that might want to attack it. The antennae are feathery and are larger in the male than in the female. The mouthparts are reduced, and the adults do not feed. The females produce a sex pheromone that males can detect from long distances.
Sesiidae: These are the clearwing moths. The greater part or one or both pairs of wings in this family is without scales, and many species look a lot like wasps. Many species are brightly colored and most are active during the day, visiting flowers along with the wasps and bees. This offers them protection from the birds.
Uraniidae: This small family contains both flimsy, white, nocturnal members and the dramatically colored Papilio-like, day-flying species, Urania leilus has brilliant blue-green markings on the wings and migrates during the day.