Butterflies and Moths

ATTRACTING MOTHS

The sweet smell of sugar attracts moths. To see

this, coat a tree trunk or fence with a sugary

mixture. Use some old molasses or honey mixed

with a bit of water to make a thick gooey mess.

1. With a paintbrush, brush
   this mixture onto a tree trunk
   at dusk on a summer night.

Scientist Charles Darwin

thought there must be a flower

with an extra long tube to hold this

moth’s proboscis—and he was right!

Having a drink

Butterflies drink in all

sorts of places. You

may spot one at the

edge of a puddle

or in the mud. This

butterfly is drinking

sap oozing from a log.

Extra long tongue

The tongue of this Darwin’s hawk-moth

is incredibly long, even longer than its

body. However it fits neatly into this

flower, where it sucks up sugary liquids.

2. Using a flashlight, check for
   moths every half hour. Ants and
   beetles will come to visit, too.

Ask an adult to

accompany you.

US_020-021_Smelling_and_sipping.indd 21 02/11/17 4:21 pm