Last Updated December 25th, 2022: Vampire moths are one of the most distinctive moth species in the world. Often, people mistake these creatures for bats when they are flying through dark rooms, because their wings emit little to no sound. Because they can’t be easily detected and they pierce their prey with venomous barbs on their proboscis (long tube-like structure that is used to suck up fluids), vampire moths consume less liquid than mosquitoes do. However, vampires feed off of human blood as well which can be quite frightening.
Where Do Vampire Moths Live?
Vampire moths live in the forests of South America and Central Africa. They are also found in isolated regions of North America, Australia and New Zealand. Originally found in Siberia, these creatures are most populated in Africa and South America, but they are expanding and can be found even in Northern Europe.
What Do Vampire Moths Look Like?
Vampire moths come in multiple different genus’ so their colors and looks can vary slightly. Generally, they are a yellow color and about the size of a nickel.
There are also black vampire moths which are commonly found in Eastern Europe and Asia. These moths have six legs and two large wings with various camouflage patterns.
What Is A Vampire Moths Lifespan?
The lifespan of a vampire moth varies depending on what type you’re talking about. Some types of these creatures can live for up to two months.
The vampire moth adult lifespans will range in time between 2-3 weeks (males) and 3-4 weeks (females). But the juvenile lifespans are much shorter because once they hatch, it only takes four days for them to become adults – sometimes even sooner! They undergo pupation during this period and quickly will become full-fledged adults.
What Do Vampire Moths Eat?
Vampire moths typically suck the juice out of fruits, but they’ll occasionally drink blood.
Vampire moths are the worst! They normally just suck the juice from fruit, but they’ll drink blood when given a chance. These guys can pierce through tough animal hides like elephants and buffalos so it’s no surprise that our skin is as easy for them to penetrate as it is. Surprisingly only male vampire moths do the drinking – if left undisturbed these dirty creatures will keep sucking until their stomachs are full or almost an hour has passed by! The place where they bite you turns red and sore and can be relatively painful.
Do Moths Drink Blood?
No not all moths drink blood. The only type of moths that have been observed to drink blood are the genus referred to as Vampire Moths, since they are the only type of moth that can physically pierce skin.
Are Vampire Moths Dangerous?
Vampire moths aren’t dangerous at all – they don’t carry any diseases, but their blood-sucking antics will leave you sleepless and maybe slightly inflamed. The worst thing about them is that if the infestation isn’t taken care of it can easily spread to other areas so it’s important to get rid of them quickly!
Do Vampire Moths Bite Humans?
Yes, vampire boths can and will bite humans. They are able to pierce human skin and suck blood similar to a mosquito. They use long tubes to suck blood called proboscis.
Can Vampire Moths Kill You?
No, vampire moths can’t kill you. They can and bite humans, but even if they bite you they won’t be able to kill you.
How To Get Rid Of Vampire Moths
According to top experts, there are a few ways you can get rid of these blood-suckers: garlic, eucalyptus and lavender.
Vampire moths will stay away from any place that smells like those three ingredients so adding them to your home (curtains, air fresheners, clothing…) is a great way to keep them away!
If you have an infestation in your home or garden then you’ll need to call creatures such as spiders and bats since they’re natural predators of the vampire moth. Or to make it easier, I would recommend just calling in a professional!
Final Thoughts On Vampire Moths
Vampire moths are a highly invasive species since they’ve spread to several places worldwide – especially in warmer climates. They bite unsuspecting humans and animals, but fortunately, their bites aren’t painful at all.
The way they live is similar to that of spiders or bats – once a person ‘sleeps over’ on their territory (for example by lying down on a blanket) then the ‘vampires’ will stay there waiting for another victim to come along. So if you want to avoid them make sure your sleeping bag or bedroom doesn’t have any vampire moth nests in it!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide on vampire moths and these mysterious insects!
Resources:
https://blog.nus.edu.sg/lsm1303student2010/2010/04/05/watch-out-its-a-vampire-moth/