If you touch moths will they die?

Question

I heard that oils from our skin and make them unable to fly. But I don't know if its true.

Answer 1

I have touched a lot of moths that could still fly.

But since everything dies eventually. Yes, if you touch a moth,

it will die.

Answer 2

Not unless you "pet" there wings till they fall off, then yes, they wont be able to fly at that time.. but they will eventually fix a broken wing if you just touch it... so picking them up and throwing them wontt be a bad thing hah

Hope I helped!

Answer 3

Try catching a moth and you'll find out.  Usually if you get a finger on it or even cup it in your hands, if it manages to get away it'll still fly quite nicely.  Not sure of the long term though.

Answer 4

I'm sure it can result in damage to their wings and even death but it is not a given. It probably depends on several factors including species, how oily your hands are, how much you have touched them, etc.

I personally go out of my way not to kill anything unless absolutely necessary. In the case of moths I just cup them in my hand and let the flutter around inside till I can let them outside.

Answer 5

Yes.  Due to the oil of your skin and the powdery substance that you take off the wings makes it to where they cannot fly.

Answer 6

Its the powder residue on their wings, after the month comes out of hes/her cocoon they must hang for  some time maybe an hour or two so their wings can dry hourly handling  them will only add moister to their wings  and defeat their purpose of hanging.

Answer 7

Every living thing will die eventually.

Sometimes we wish the moth would die, when it is part of an invasion that is devastating the trees. We do not see much evidence that touching them kills them but I could give it a try.

Answer 8

This is true in a roundabout way. If you touch a moth or butterfly wing, you remove some of the thin layers of scales that make up their wings, damaging the wing. This can cause permanent damage and prevent them from flying, which in turn kills them.

Answer 9

that depends how hard you touch them if you poke them hard they will die if you poke them in the wing you mostly riped off is wing

Answer 10

The scales on moths wings detach as a partial defense against getting caught in spider webs.   Touching a moth wont kill it but it will make it harder for them to fly and more vulnerable to predators unless you are very carefull with it.

Answer 11

if you touch a moth or butterfly's wings, the powder ( i dont know what it is called) that enables them to fly right comes off onto your fingers, leaving them unable to fly any more.  So it doesn't necessarily kill them right away or anything but if it cant fly, it cant  really do anything that it would normally do, e.g. find food.  So in the long run, if you touch a moth or butterfly's wings they could die.

Answer 12

I hate moths, but I've never killed one. I just scream and either make someone else catch it or wait till it flies away.

Moths are one of my biggest fears, seriously.

Answer 13

no they wont die but it does depend on how hard u touch them. if u poke them, they will die but if u just touch them gently without harming them, they wont die

Answer 14

yes if you tuch it its powder and oil will rub off on your hands and create a hole in its wing and it cant fly and becomes easy pray

Answer 15

It depends on the moth and depends on how you touch them.

Most moths/butterflies, have a fine powder on their wings that assist in flight. This powder is ESSENTIAL for flight and thusly survival.

If you wish ti allow the moth to live. Don't touch it.

If you HAVE to touch it, touch the body.

Answer 16

If you kill them they turn into handsome feminists.

I'm sorry......I meant frogs.

No difference

Touch away.......Moths love light bulbs and that doesn't seem to hurt them.

Save the Moths!

Answer 17

i wouldnt think so, mayb a certain species becuz i used 2 own a ton a silk worm moths and u had 2 touch them to get them to fly away for the first time, they ddnt die, it mayb some of the oils in your hands but i woudnt think that they would die, howevr it may effect their flight pattern if you touch their wings bcuz they may become heavier, but it really depends on what kinda, you should google it or ask.com it, do some research:]

Answer 18

That's absolutely true! If you touch a butterfly or a moth(nighttime butterfly), they will die because they will not be able to fly! So, why not admire them, and enjoy them and thank God for creating them, for our pleasures of watching them,not touching  them, or catching them, let them be the way God made them to be "FREE  TO FLY ALL OVER THIS BEAUTIFUL  EARTH!Don't you think it is amazing how many colors are one butterfly? Every butterfly in unique and special, same goes with the moths at night!Next time you see a butterfly in the daytime, just say thank you Lord, for you beautiful butterfly for me to see and enjoy!

Answer 19

The wings are delicate, so it is possible to crush the structure very easily without intent.They don't necessarily die from being touched, but it is best not to do more that cup them in your hand, then release.They have a short life span in any case.

Answer 20

No, but wacking them with a slipper will xD ... Urgh, they are VILE, VILE things! ... Then again, I am bugophobic; I can't stand ANY bugs, they're all gross >.<.

Answer 21

If you touch the wings of a butterfly, it will no longer be able to fly.So--it dies. I don't know if moths wings are a sensitive of not.

Answer 22

No, that's definately not true, i'd say it was an old wive's tale.

Infact, although moths are delicate, most have a protective layer/skin on their wings, which is another one of their advanages against predators.

hope this answers your question, and don't worry if you touch one in future, as long as you don't squash it!

Answer 23

Yes, they will die. Touching them takes off the powder on them. Never touch a moth.

Answer 24

I would listen to Elli. moths and butterflies are delicate.

Answer 25

They are very unlikely to die, unless you poke them too hard and sqash them.

The powder you see is actually scales. these are a defence mechanism for spiders webs. if a moth gets caught, it's scales stick to the web, and it can still get away because it can leave it's scales behind. this does not kill a moth, they simply grow back.

Answer 26

Not true I've touched many moths and they manage to fly quite nicely....usually into a window

Answer 27

It depends. I used to catch moths when I was younger and they seemed to be fine, but just like any animal, if you are too rough, they might be harmed.

Answer 28

Nope!  Well, they'll die if you touch them really hard, with a smearing motion.  Other than that, a gentle "touch" won't kill them.  It's just that some moth will drop/leave powders from their wings that might cause some people skin reaction.

Answer 29

Some species die and the others don't. If you do touch one, wash your hands thoroughly 'coz you can get allergies and some even have sotta poison on their scales.

AVOID TOUCHING THEM!!!

Answer 30

I have touched a moth before and this is what i think:

    If u grab a moths wing this powdery comes off and then it cant fly. If u just touch it i think it can still fly but either way it wont die.....right away but it might die later.

Answer 31

They have scales, which look like powder on their wings that protect them from water or branches and such from injuring them. Touching them makes the scales come off, leaving the moth vulnerable. Taking the scales off doesn't kill it, it just makes it way easier for it to accidentally kill itself.

So don't do it.