A vampire moth, Calyptra thalictri, feeding on Dr. Jennifer M. Zaspel’s thumb.
By Kevin Fitzgerald
Vampirism — piercing or cutting animal skin to suck or lap up blood — is known throughout the animal kingdom. Mosquitoes come to mind, plus ticks, mites, vampire bats, and the vampire finch of the Galapagos Islands. But … vampire moths? Yes indeed, there are moths that feed on the blood of vertebrates, including humans. When I tell people about them, they respond by going into mild shock. Like carnivorous plants, nothing so strange should exist in a prosaic universe, they say. But who ever said we live in a prosaic universe?
The vampire moths belong to the genus Calyptra, which contains 17 species. Thegenus is containedwithin the subfamilyCalpinaeof thefamilyErebidae. The genusis also a member of theCalpinitribe.Eight species have been reported vampirizing mammals, including humans, in the wild, and two, Calyptra fletcheriandC. thalictri, have drawn human blood in laboratory or semi-natural settings such as mesh cages and vials. All of them, including the blood-drinkers, feed normally by piercing fruit to suck the juice. Blood-drinking in these creatures is facultative, not obligate.
Vampire moths are being studied extensively in the laboratory of Dr. Jennifer Zaspel,assistant professor of entomologyat Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. Her team has captured Calyptra moths in the field in the U.S. and other countries. The lab studies, among other aspects,the molecular systematics and feeding structure of vampiremoths. Dr. Zaspel is also director of the Purdue Entomological Research Collection, whichcontains nearly two million insect specimens.
All Calyptra species are found in the Old World (southeast Asia, eastern Africa, China, Japan, India, and eastern and southern Europe) except Calyptra canadensis, which lives in the U.S. and Canada, and is probably not a vampire. But who knows? Maybe it just hasn’t been caught in the act yet. The life history of C. canadensis was almost unknown until recently, when, in Zaspel’s lab, one of them was videotaped piercing a strawberry.
Vampire moths can pierce the thick hides of animals such as buffalo, tapirs, and elephants. After landing on a favorable spot on the host animal, the moth begins penetrating the skin by applying its proboscis to the skin, then rocking it back and forth to push it in. Having penetrated the skin, the moth then oscillates, or rocks its head back and forth, to drive the proboscis further in. As blood from the host animal wells up, it opens hooks on the sides of the proboscis to anchor it firmly. The proboscis has two parts that alternate between anchoring and drilling through host tissue using an “antiparalell” movement. A bite from a Calyptra moth is red and sore, but is believed to pose no danger to human beings.A vampire moth can suck blood for up to 50 minutes.
In 2006, Dr. Zaspel herself was vampirized on a collection trip abroad.
“My first encounter with a vampire moth was as a graduate student working in Far Eastern Russia,” she said. “We went out collecting in a remote village outside of Ussuriysk and one of the first moths that came to the sheet was Calyptra thalictri. I knew blood-feeding had never been documented in this species, but still, I decided to collect it into a vial and stuck my thumb inside. In less than one minute, it began probing my thumb with its armored tongue, and then it pierced through my skin, and began feeding on my blood.”
Only the male vampire moths suck blood. The females suck fruit juice and feed on nectar, and the larvae feed on leaves. It is hypothesized, though not proven, that males suck blood for the salt, which they then pass on to the females in their sperm as a possible benefit to the offspring.It is also hypothesized that the blood-feeding behavior evolved from piercing fruit in order to feed on juices.
“Male and female Calyptra species are obligate fruit piercers,” said Dr. Zaspel. “They have a proboscis that is modified for piercing fruits and sucking the juice. Thus, the blood-feeding habit has evolved from plant-associated feeding behaviors, as opposed to animal associated feeding behaviors.”
Read more at:
– Vampire Moth Discovered — Evolution at Work
– EOL Vampire Moth Comprehensive Description
Kevin Fitzgerald
Kevin Fitzgerald is a freelance science writer living in Connecticut. He has published in newspapers, encyclopedias, and online.
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As an entomology enthusiast with a profound understanding of the topic, I find the intricacies of insect behavior and adaptations fascinating. In the realm of entomology, my expertise spans various insect orders, families, and species, allowing me to delve into the remarkable world of vampire moths discussed in the article from Entomology Today.
The article, authored by Kevin Fitzgerald and published on October 30, 2015, sheds light on an unusual aspect of the animal kingdom – vampire moths. Unlike the more commonly known blood-feeding creatures such as mosquitoes and ticks, these moths, belonging to the genus Calyptra, have also evolved to feed on the blood of vertebrates, including humans.
The genus Calyptra consists of 17 species and is part of the subfamily Calpinae within the family Erebidae. Furthermore, it belongs to the Calpini tribe. Notably, eight species within this genus have been reported to vampirize mammals in the wild, with Calyptra fletcheri and C. thalictri confirmed to have drawn human blood in laboratory or semi-natural settings.
Dr. Jennifer Zaspel, an assistant professor of entomology at Purdue University, leads extensive studies on vampire moths in her laboratory. The research encompasses various aspects, including molecular systematics and feeding structures of these intriguing creatures. Dr. Zaspel's expertise is evident not only in her laboratory studies but also in her role as the director of the Purdue Entomological Research Collection, housing nearly two million insect specimens.
Geographically, all Calyptra species are found in the Old World, with the exception of Calyptra canadensis, which resides in the U.S. and Canada. While C. canadensis is not confirmed as a vampire, its life history was illuminated when observed piercing a strawberry in Dr. Zaspel's lab.
The feeding behavior of vampire moths is particularly fascinating. These moths can pierce the thick hides of large animals like buffalo, tapirs, and elephants. The proboscis of the moth, modified for piercing fruits, is employed to penetrate the host's skin. A unique "antiparallel" movement allows the proboscis to anchor and drill through the host tissue. Despite their blood-feeding capability, bites from Calyptra moths are considered red and sore but not dangerous to humans.
The article also mentions Dr. Zaspel's personal encounter with a vampire moth during a collection trip in Far Eastern Russia. This firsthand experience emphasizes the authenticity of the information presented. Additionally, it is highlighted that only male vampire moths exhibit blood-sucking behavior, with females preferring fruit juice and nectar, while the larvae feed on leaves.
Hypotheses regarding the evolution of blood-feeding behavior suggest a connection to the moths' original fruit-piercing habits. Male moths may extract salts from blood, potentially benefiting offspring through sperm transfer to females.
In conclusion, the article provides a captivating glimpse into the enthralling world of vampire moths, showcasing the expertise of researchers like Dr. Jennifer Zaspel in unraveling the mysteries of these unique insects.
