Moth anatomy: body sections

This is the second lesson in my moth anatomy series. Every moth has a body made up of three distinct parts. It is often hard to see these parts because the wings are covering two of the sections (thorax and abdomen) and sometimes long “fur” (actually scales) obstruct a view of the third section (the head).

 

I have selected a Green Broomweed Looper Moth (Fernaldella fimetaria) because it offers a pretty good view of these three sections in profile.

 

First, the head is the small section circled in orange. The most prominent features of the head are the eyes and the protruding antennae. The head may also include mouth parts for feeding, though not all moths eat. Sometimes there are long “palps” that protrude from the mouth.

 

Second, the section immediately connected to the head which is circled in blue is the thorax. This is a very important part of the body, as it is where the four wings and six legs connect. This section is all about movement.

 

Third, the final section of the body which is circled in green is called the abdomen. This is the long “tail” of the body. It’s primary responsibilities are digestion and sexual reproduction. In most moth species the abdomen is larger for females than males because eggs take up space.

 

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