Can moths bite???

[sleepinabox]

Hi

My sister told me she had been bitten a few days ago by a moth. I was sceptical as I don't think moths can bite. She told me she felt the bite first - like a midge bite - on her foot and looked down to find a large pale coloured moth which she promptly picked up and put out of the window and then was unable to identify it in her insect book (possible large yellow underwing I suggested) . The bite gave her some trouble and she had to take anti-histamines - indeed when I saw it today she still has a hard red lump.
I still find this hard to beleive .... has anyone heard of this before?

Rose

[Dogghound]

NO Physically impossible for a moth to bite

[kshotton45]

The bite sounds like a Horsefly, but not the description. I was once bitten on the knee by a Horsefly, very painful.

Keith.

[sleepinabox]

Thanks Dogghound - that's exactly what I told her but she is insistent it was a moth (she's not stupid and knows her wildlife) and it was in the exact place on her foot that she was bitten ... strange.
Definitely NOT a horsefly as she knows what they are and has been bitten by one before.
Insistent it was a large pale moth .......

[Paul mabbott]

Agreed. Also strictly speaking, flies (like bugs) can't bite - they may have piercing mouthparts in contrast to beetles and other orders which have true jaws for real biting! I think but I know so little about Diptera ...

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Agreed. Also strictly speaking, flies (like bugs) can't bite - they may have piercing mouthparts in contrast to beetles and other orders which have true jaws for real biting! I think but I know so little about Diptera ...

Of the diptera the horseflys such as Haematopota sp come closest as they have a blade like jaw, that cut into the skin, then fleshy pads mop up the blood, but not quite a true bite.

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

how do the hairs on the Browntail moth affect people ( I've never met one) could that feel like a midge bite? It is pale coloured and the hairs would cause irritation afterwards.

Just a thought.

neil

[andy68]

A friend of mine was badly affected by a Yellowtail moth which got under his shirt whilst out trapping a few years ago. His entire torso came out in a very painful rash which required not only antihistamines but also antibiotics from the doctor. Both Yellowtail and Browntail moths are almost completely white, rather than 'pale' though.

Apart from these two species I can't think of any other way any adult moth can harm a human - unless you were to eat one of the poisonous ones!

Andy

[Mike B]

A moth does not have mouth parts that could inflict a bite.

[charlieb]

Micropterix sp. have working mandibles, although I would be surprised if you would feel their bite