Researchers have documented moths feeding on the tears of a moose in Vermont, a behavior known as lachryphagy that is rarely observed outside of tropical regions. This marks only the second documented instance of the phenomenon occurring in temperate climates, with the first being a horse in Arkansas.
Unexpected Discovery in Vermont
The sighting occurred when Laurence Clarfeld, a researcher with the Vermont Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, reviewed trail camera footage from the Green Mountain National Forest. Initially mistaken for additional eyes on the moose, the images revealed multiple moths using their proboscises to drink the animal’s tears. Clarfeld described the scene as something he had “never seen anything like that before.” The findings were recently published in Ecosphere. Another instance has since been filmed by a colleague.
Why Moths Drink Tears
Moths, along with some bees, engage in lachryphagy to obtain essential minerals and nutrients not readily available elsewhere in their diet. The behavior is more common in warmer climates, but the recent sightings suggest it can occur elsewhere under certain conditions.
What This Means
The scarcity of documented cases outside the tropics may be due to limited scientific observation in these areas. However, entomologist Akito Kawahara suggests a more troubling possibility: declining moth populations. With moth species and individual numbers decreasing in many regions, opportunities to observe this behavior may simply be diminishing.
The observed behavior highlights the complex interactions within ecosystems and the potential impact of environmental changes on even seemingly obscure animal behaviors. The continued study of these interactions is critical for understanding the broader health of our planet.
