.
VR
The Vampire Database

The Vampire Moth
: The Vampire Database : Articles :

[ EDIT THIS ENTRY ]


Author: The Original Butterfly House and Insect World
Publication Date: 10/31/2017

Some species of the genus Calyptra are called "vampire moths" as they suck blood from sleeping vertebrates, including humans. ... Dryas iulia has also been observed agitating the eyes of caimans and turtles in order to force tear production, which the male butterflies of the species can drink for minerals.

In 2008, Vampire moths were discovered in Siberia. The moth, when being studied by an entomologist, was experimentally offered a human hand. The moth drilled it’s tongue through the skin and started drinking human blood.

Vampire moths have been traced to a Central and Southern European species, Calyptra thalictri, individuals of this species are known to only feed on fruit. Entomologists believe that the Vampire Moth has evolved to feeding on blood vs. fruit. According to Chris Nice in a National Geographic article, some butterfly and moth species have hooked and barbed tongues in order to pierce through the tough skin of fruit. Evolutionarily speaking, one reason the fruit loving insects started feeding on blood was for the male to offer the resulting salt as a ‘copulation gift’ to the female. This boost in nutrients would ensure that the resulting larva would be successful with a low sodium diet.

So in a nutshell, these male moths drink the blood of their victims, present it to the female as a gift during reproduction, the female then passes the sodium to her eggs so that they can thrive once born. Talk about creepy.

To make things a little worse. The Vampire Moth has slowly increased it’s range and is now found in parts of Northern Europe such as Finland and Sweden.

Sleep well everyone! Don’t let the Vampire Moth’s bite!


Date Added: January 23, 2021
Added By: vrykolaka
Times Viewed: 3,597






Times Rated:335
Rating:9.781

Rate this entry

 LOW HIGH 
 
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Optional comment:





calebtoole23
calebtoole23
19:46
Mar 27, 2024

TinyFang ^ rated

Cadrewolf2
Cadrewolf2
00:50
Mar 05, 2024

Wolf*Rated

Ylvax
Ylvax
04:05
Feb 27, 2024

Rated




COMPANY
REQUEST HELP
CONTACT US
SITEMAP
REPORT A BUG
UPDATES
LEGAL
TERMS OF SERVICE
PRIVACY POLICY
DMCA POLICY
REAL VAMPIRES LOVE VAMPIRE RAVE
© 2004 - 2024 Vampire Rave
All Rights Reserved.
Vampire Rave is a member of 
Page generated in 0.0601 seconds.
X
Username:

Password:
I agree to Vampire Rave's Privacy Policy.
I agree to Vampire Rave's Terms of Service.
I agree to Vampire Rave's DMCA Policy.
I agree to Vampire Rave's use of Cookies.
•  SIGN UP •  GET PASSWORD •  GET USERNAME  •
X