What should I feed a moth?

Question

I found a larvae, identified it to be an Angle Shades moth, fed it, watched it pupate and discovered it had emerged. I am currently feeding it sugary water on a ball of cotton wool, but is this enough? Is there anything better? A better formula, even?

Zugunruhly · Accepted Answer

You could try some fermented fruit or a recipe like this:
http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/sugaring.htm

I'm not sure if the alcohol is necessary for moths nutritionally or if they are attracted to the smell of it since it indicates rotting fruit (thus, sugar).

Brightwings · Answer

You are feeding it the right stuff. If you get tired of making up the solution, you can use a Sports drink  like Gatorade, but it must have real sugar in it, not the "diet:" ones.  

But now you've raised it, and observed it, why not let it go?

? · Answer

sugared water seems adequate, you could try to make nectar-rich flowers available (nectar would be the natural food of the moth)

What should I feed a moth?

3 Answers