Moths on Tapir´s eyes. Moths feed from the eyes of many animals, including tapirs, deer, horses or pigs, and each moth´s life is dependent on the salty secretions wept by their host. Why do moths do this? Tears contain both salt and water, two precious commodities for any animal. Tears also contain trace levels of proteins. And while moths usually like a sugary meal, some are able to break down protein in their guts, making tears an unlikely but potentially very nutritious source of food. Strangely, moths have never been seen to feed from the tears of carnivores such as dogs or large cats, from birds, or from other groups or vertebrates.
Footage by Diego Mosquera, Tiputini Biodiversity Station, Yasuni National Park, Ecuador
Adrian
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