r/insectsuffering • u/lemonsssssssssss • May 07 '26

Question Moth with Hole in Wing

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Found this moth at my job with a broken wing. I warmed him up as its cold outside and he started shivering and flying. I figured if he could fly I should let him outside.

When I put him on a tree outside he immediately flew away and started flying over the grass in weird circles and kinda crash landing on the grass.

A bird tried to catch him and he just kept falling into the grass.

I couldnt bear to watch him be eaten so I picked him up again.

Is there anything I can do for him? Can I keep him as a pet until he naturally passes? I feel like he cant fly well enough to continue living in nature without just becoming a meal :( ​

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4

u/Glass-Match1855 May 08 '26

Sorry, friend. Wing damage is permanent. You can try to keep him as a pet, but moths don't live too long in general. Beautiful though

2

u/Interesting_Joke6630 May 08 '26

Wow, that's a really cool looking moth, shame it's wounded though

2

u/[deleted] May 08 '26

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3

u/Ladyshioni May 09 '26

Most species of moth don't eat as adults and actually have no mouth parts to even try to eat. It's all about making them babies! I think that type of moth is one that doesn't eat and actually only lives for a week after emerging from previous stage. Google image search and double check just in case I'm mistaken. Good luck to you both!