What Causes Moths In Bedrooms
sandra standbridge Getty Images
Scientists have found that moths are incredibly useful nighttime "super pollinators".
Research conducted by University College London (UCL) explained that moths should be taken just as seriously as other daytime pollinators. While we often pay attention to bees and beautiful butterflies on our flowers outside, it's moths who secretly pollinate a significant number of plants during the evening.
"There's this big misconception that all moths come and eat my clothes. That's not what happens at all," Dr Richard Walton, lead author of the study, told the BBC. "Some of them happen to be visiting flowers and can be an important part of the pollination process."
How was the research conducted?
Researchers analysed a nocturnal moth community on a Norfolk farmland between 2016 and 2017, to learn more about their pollinating habits. They surveyed the moths once a month to see which plants they visited, as well as how often they did so.
Out of 838 moths, they found 381 (45%) of them transported pollen — even more than bees, butterflies and hoverflies.
Dr Richard added: "Nocturnal moths have an important but overlooked ecological role. They complement the work of daytime pollinators, helping to keep plant populations diverse and abundant."
Mike Powles Getty Images
Elsewhere in their research, they also found that, unlike other insects, moths carry pollen on their chests. Thanks to their hairy bodies, moths can transport large amounts of pollen from one flower to the next in just one go.
"Previous studies of pollen transport among settling moths have focused on their proboscis. However, settling moths sit on the flower while feeding, with their often distinctly hairy bodies touching the flower's reproductive organs. This happy accident helps pollen to be easily transported during subsequent flower visits," Dr Richard says.
So, the next time you look at your blossoming flowers in the garden, remember it's probably the moths that are working the hardest...
Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.
SIGN UP
Moth repellant products for the home
Anti-moth clothes storage bags
VonHaus 12 x Assorted Vacuum Compressed Space Saving Storage Bags - Ideal for Clothes, Bedding, Duvets, Pillows, Curtains
£12.99
BUY NOW
Moth repellant cedar wood items
Yizhet Cedar Wood Repellent Moth Insect Natural Organic Chemical-free Clothes Anti-mite Cedar Wood Rings for wardrobes Locker Drawers Protection [48 Pieces].
£14.99
BUY NOW
Essential oil diffuser
InnoGear 150ml Essential Oil Diffuser Cool Mist Humidifiers Ultrasonic Aroma Aromatherapy Diffusers with 7 Changeable Colored LED Lights, Adjustable Mist Mode and Waterless Automatically Shut-off.
£14.99
BUY NOW
Lavender essential oil
Organic Lavender Essential Oil By Sky Organics-100% Organic, Pure Therapeutic French Lavender Oil For Diffuser, Aromatherapy, Headache, Pain, Meditation, Anxiety, Sleep-Perfect For Candles & Massage 30ml.
£9.99
BUY NOW
Purifying air spray
Puressentiel Purifying Air Spray 200 ml - Patented Formula - Air & Surfaces - 100% Natural Origin and Fragrance - Pure Essential Oils - Propellant Gas and aerosol Free - Home, Office, car.
£19.99
BUY NOW
Wooden hangers
HANGERWORLD 10 Premium 44cm Natural Cedar Wood Clothes Coat Hangers with Non Slip Trouser Bar.
£29.95
BUY NOW
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
Source: https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wildlife/countryside/a32456328/moths-super-pollinators/
