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Are moths really vehicles for
souls to return and haunt you?
2.1 Do moths
or butterflies bring the soul of the deceased to visit the
living?
Moths and butterflies appearing in living spaces after the
death of a family member may be a sign that the soul of the
recently deceased is paying the family a visit. But is it
really paying the family a visit or it is just attracted by
our activities?
SPI's research has revealed that the list of items and practices
in a place of mourning are magnets that attract moths and
butterflies. The following table is observations of common
mourning activities and rituals and how they attract the attention
of moths and butterflies.
2.2 Light Disorientation Theories
TMoths are positively phototactic, meaning they automatically
move toward light. Phototaxis is an organism's automatic movement
toward or away from light. This is why moths are charmed by
the presence of artificial lights such as florescent lamp
from your house and outdoor camp fire, even if it leads to
their untimely demise (known as  ).
Cockroaches are an example of a negatively phototactic organism.
You have probably noticed how they scurry back into dark corners
and crevices when you illuminate their late-night snacking
party in your kitchen.
Moths are more sensitive to some wavelengths of light -- ultraviolet,
for example -- than they are to others. A white light will
attract more moths than a yellow light. Yellow is a wavelength
moths don't respond to.
Why are moths attracted to the light of a flame? The general
consensus is that they are not actually attracted to light
but are confused and disoriented by it. The reason why is
open to debate on amongst lepidopterists (those who study
moths and butterflies).
Some cite a theoretical phenomenon called the Loeb contraction,
an inhibition of muscular action reportedly observed in some
animals on the side nearest bright light. This could produce
a ball-and-chain effect. A moth encountering a light to one
side would become "weaker" on that side; the opposing "stronger"
wings would push it toward the light.
Still another theory explains that moths perceive a false
dark region around intense light - a night-flying insect's
version of a watery desert mirage - and fly toward if to escape
the glare. Others postulate that certain light frequencies
invoke the same come-hither electrochemical responses in male
moths as do female-moth sex pheromones. This at least could
explain a moth's apparent willingness to plunge into flame.
The following are some possible theories
2.2.1 Mistaken for the moon during navigation
Some types of moths are known to migrate, and it's possible
that the night sky gives them navigational directions. Some
believe that because moths navigate by maintaining a constant
angle to the moon or a star. With the presence of other visible
bright lights that outshine the rather distant cosmic body,
a moth would be disorientated and steer towards one of these
lights in a gradual spiral inward flight path.
A moth's up-down orientation might also be dependent in part
on the brightness of the sky relative to the ground. Some
lepidopterists suggest that moths use the moon as a primary
reference point and have the ability to calibrate their flight
paths as the Earth's rotation causes the moon to move across
the sky. (There is even evidence to support the theory that
migrating moths have an internal geomagnetic compass system
to guide them in the right direction.) Therefore, a moth's
attraction to an artificial light or to a fire could be related
to orientation, and lead to dis?orientation -- the moth wasn't
"expecting" to actually get to "the moon" (the light source)
or to be able to fly above it, so confusion results.
2.2.2 Mistaken for escape route
It is possible that moths have an escape-route mechanism related
to light. Imagine disturbing a bush full of moths at night
- they all fly up and out of the bush, toward the sky. To
a moth in danger, flying toward the light (which is usually
in the sky, or at least upward) tends to be a more advantageous
response than flying toward darkness (which is usually downward).
When flying towards a bright source of light, whatever that
may be chasing the moth would be blinded by the light ahead.
Flying into darkness however, would not provide any advantages
to an escaping moth.
2.2.3 Confused by bright light
Another interesting question is: Why do moths stay around
sources of lights? A moth's eyes, like a human's eyes, contain
light sensors and adjust according to the amount of light
the sensors detect. In high illumination, light from each
of the moth's thousands of fixed-focus lens facets is channeled
to its own sensor (ommatidium). In low illumination, light
from multiple lenses is channeled to the same ommatidium to
increase light sensitivity. You probably experience a few
moments of blindness when you turn on a bright light after
your eyes have adjusted to darkness, or when you are suddenly
in darkness after being in bright light. A moth's dark-adapting
mechanism responds much more slowly than its light-adapting
mechanism. Once the moth comes close to a bright light, it
might have a hard time leaving the light since going back
into the dark renders it blind and vulnerable for a long period
of time.
Here
is a news on mass suicide of moth in Beijing. Hundreds of
moths were toasted by the confusion of the bright spot lights.
2.3 Scent disorientation theories
2.3.1 Moth plants / flowers
A strong attractant to moths is a sex pheromone. The male
pheromone consists of a mixture of a rare form of linalool,
which is a sweet-smelling oil otherwise found only in coriander
seeds--and cresols, a component of a coal tar.
Linalool is a naturally-occurring terpene alcohol chemical
found in many flowers and spice plants, the majority of which
are based on its pleasant scent (floral, with a touch of spiciness).
Over 200 species of plants produce linalool, mainly from the
families Lamiaceae (mints, scented herbs), Lauraceae (laurels,
cinnamon, rosewood) and Rutaceae (citrus fruits).
It is interesting to note that many of the chemical compounds
identified from male pheromones are also common components
of the scents of flowers. Rushcliffe Borough Council, in US
has published a list of plants which attract wildlife including
of course moth.
Moths visit flowers in search of nutritious nectar. Indeed,
flowering plants have also evolved to make full use of such
behaviour by allowing pollen to come into direct contact with
moths. As a result moths would transfer the pollen from flower
to flower as they forge between clusters flowers. Most species
of moths are nectar feeders and are attracted to highly scented
flowers. However, flowers are also a large part of funeral
services, and we see them aplenty during Qing Ming. In other
words, we make funeral services and Qing Ming an attractive
place for moths to feed.
2.3.2 Scents, sugar treats and fruits (Pear Ester)
Scientists, Entomologists Douglas Light and Alan Knight, from
US Agricultural Research Service discovered that a chemical
in the form of pear ester attracts moths. In an academic report
published by University of California in August 2008, it is
found that moths have apparently evolved to detect this ester
odour and use it to locate a preferred food like ripening
pears to lay eggs. Pears have just the right scent to attract
codling moths that are brown colour and one of the most common
kinds of moths.
Pheromones are chemicals that female moths give off to attract
males for mating. Unlike pheromones that only attract male
moths, the novel chemical attracts both sexes. Pear ester
may be a stronger attractant than pheromones, which can be
readily found in ripening pears. Indeed, many esters have
distinctive fruit-like odours, which have led to their commonplace
use in artificial flavourings and fragrances.
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Moths feeding
on fruits
Also, many moth-watchers
are familiar with homebrewed "sugar" baits as a tried and
tested method to attract moths. The bait or attractant is
a gooey mixture of assorted sweet and fermented ingredients
for which night fliers have a fondness. There are all sorts
of sugar recipes. Here is a classic, proven formula according
to Mother Earth News (February/March 2005 page 32):
Mash or blend
the bananas first, then stir in the sugary ingredients. Add
the liquids last, a little at a time, until the mixture is
about as thick as house paint. If it becomes too thin, just
add another banana or two. Finally, put the mixture in a jar
or bowl, cover it and leave it to ferment in the sun for a
few hours.
This is just a basic recipe and one can improvise on it. Some
cooks do not include alcoholic ingredients, and instead add
apple cider vinegar to the brew. Others swear by certain liquors
(e.g. Ron Bacardi) or kinds of juices that mimic those of
local fruit trees (cherry and apple juices are popular). In
any case, the objective is to produce a highly aromatic, cloyingly
sweet and somewhat potent goo that is irresistible to moths.
 
Moth traps are
commonly made of light, sugary treats and ripe fruits to capture
moths at night by the hobbiests
References:
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