#vampire moths

[punk-pandame]

woke up out of a dead sleep at 3am to write myself a Very Important Note and this is what i found

[phosphorwings]

What'chu being all secretive for moth boy? Also have you seen the blood drinking moths the vampire moths (that's the real name of em) pretty cool to say the least. The moths would like you!

Secretive? I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about. Isn't it common practice not to reveal one's personal information online? That's what I was told.

Yes, I love them! They're terribly unique creatures. Despite their rather gruesome diet, they're not known to be a transmitter of disease. I might call that kindness if it were more than a happy accident of nature.

I don't believe moths have the necessary faculties to "like" anyone, as we see it. That won't stop me from liking them, though!

[thatone-churro]

hey fun fact that is TOTALLY (sarcastic) not related to me obsessing over vampire mothica: vampire moths are actually a thing!

there’s a genus of moths called the Calyptra genus and they’re nicknamed for their habit of drinking blood from vertebrates! some can also drink blood from humans via the skin, but they aren’t considered a threat to humans

[maureenlycaon]

Vampire moth turns up in Sweden

Blood-sucking vampire moths (calyptra thalictri) native to Asia and southern Europe have been spotted in Sweden for the first time this summer.

“This summer” being back in 2008, but I just found out.

@misscamthenorwegian , @conn1968 , @personbehindtheblades

[hartshorn-and-isinglass]

Casual Geographic exposes butterflies (and moths), with a special guest cameo by parasitoid wasps:

I've mentioned the Calyptra moths before and no, you probably shouldn't actually worry about them, but I really need more artists and authors to take advantage of puddling/blood-sucking Lepidopterans.

Additional fun fact: in the chemical arms race between caterpillars and corn, corn plants will also respond to insect damage by releasing volatiles that attract parasitoid wasps.

[goldislops]

 https://youtu.be/1pHEGqOrPAA?si=aJ7yge_4t4AHyz0j

[circusmothman]

HK Lore: Vampire Moths - Blood and Feeding

- Vampire moths are omnivores with a tendency to lean toward the carnivorous side, their diet mainly consisting of meat and fruits. As their name implies however another key part of their diet is blood, and while they can go without either meat or fruits for a while, blood is not something they can be deprived of for long. To remain healthy, a vampire must consume blood at least once every few days, either fresh or preserved will do. Failing to do so results in increased lethargy, moodiness, physical weakness and other drawbacks which grow stronger over time, it usually takes a couple weeks however for the effects to properly start setting in. A vampire may not die from lack of blood, but the longer it is denied to them the longer it takes to recover from the physical strain gained through the withdrawal.

 - Nowadays there are three main ways for a vampire to acquire blood, hunting, preserved bottles, and feeding on a close individual, most often their chosen mate. In the olden days, before preservation was developed, hunting was the main source of blood, most often prey would be killed off but occasionally survivors may be left behind, whichever was the case depended largely on the circumstances at the time. However it led to vampire moths receiving a rather sinister reputation, despite merely doing what was necessary for their survival, and the stigma of that still follows them to this day. And while hunts still happen sometimes, they are usually focused on the more wild beasts and those who caught the vampires' ire.

- The technique for blood preservation was originally developed in their main capital, Calyptra, the Home of All Blood. The exact method is a closely guarded secret, but it employs the use of certain plants and substances to keep the blood fresh and avoid clotting, letting it sit for months even before it starts to turn. Rumor has it a type of venom is used in the process, however no proof could ever be found. Many of the vampire kingdoms and cities know the technique however, and it is one of their rare exported goods which can be found in non-vampire communities, with the main intention to make it available to vampires who live outside their regions, individuals can even put in special orders to be delivered straight to their homes. Although the technique was later adopted by other blood reliant species as well (mosquitoes, ticks, fleas etc.) it is said that the moths' method is still the most refined and their blood is considered of the highest quality. As for the origin of that blood, it is generally either procured through hunting or through blood banks in which non-vampiric species can either donate or sell their blood willingly.

- While vampire moths still carry rumors of being feral scavengers just waiting to ambush someone for their precious lifeblood, it is extremely rare for someone to just be picked off by them. Hunting, combat and self-defense are also usually the only circumstances in which a vampire will bite without consent. Blood to them is sacred, it is the physical manifestation of the lifeforce, and as such needs to be treated with respect, especially when you choose to take it from another. Thus exchanging blood with another individual is considered deeply intimate and rarely done outside of a meaningful connection. And while there are non-vampiric individuals who have made it their profession to offer their blood in exchange for compensation, they are more commonly found in and employed by other vampire societies instead of the moths.

- Once a vampire moth has developed a strong enough connection, like to a mate or a platonic partner, they may enter an exclusivity pact in which case they only feed on each other. This helps strengthen their bond and it comes in two variants, true purists who will exclusively drink their partner's blood unless in extreme emergencies, and the less extreme version where they still use preserved blood sometimes but only ever live feed on their partner. In general however preserved blood is not considered an oathbreak since it skips over the actual intimacy of blood sharing, while in-person the vampire would feel a connecting bond with whomever they are drinking from, it just isn't present when it comes from a bottle, the distance of it thus making it acceptable. There is also a clear distinction in flavor, while preserved is usually still perfectly fine, all vampires agree it's nothing like drinking from a live source.

- Vampires actually taste blood differently than non-vampires. in fact to them blood comes in all kinds of flavor palettes depending on species, diet, and even physical wellbeing and emotional state. Each individual also has their own distinct flavor which is said to become richer the closer the bond is between them and the vampire. bonded vampiric pairs who feed off each other eventually end up tasting a bit of their own blood within their partner's, and it is said that those with extremely close bonds, like Bloodmates, would be able to recognize even a drop of their partner's blood in a chalice full of several mixed together.

 - As a generalized example, butterfly blood tends to be sweet and floral, moth blood is similar but deeper and richer, bees are naturally very sweet and taste floral or sugary, meanwhile venomous species tend to be spicy or bitter. Herbivores have lighter blood while carnivores have more weight to it and tend to be savory, omnivores lean one way or the other depending on diet. A sick individual's blood will taste dulled and lacking, same goes for someone in a bad mental state. An individual in good health and a good mood however has very "vibrant" tasting blood, which is another reason why it's common for vampires to feed during or around intimacy.

[themikeymonster]

NOPE

FUCK OFF SIBERIA

YOU HAVE VAMPIRE MOTHS

FUCK YOU FUCK YOU FUCK YOU