The provison of juice containing alcohol, such as a mixture of beer and honey, is a good way to catch some moths and butterflies, as they can become too drunk to fly properly, and are then easy to catch.

Many moths CANNOT feed at all as they have no haustellum. They must rely totally on the nourishment in the food eaten by the caterpillar earlier in its life.

ADULTS CAN FEED

RHOPALOCERA (All Butterflies),

GEOMETRIDAE,

CRAMBIDAE,

PYRALIDAE,

NOCTUIDAE, which includes the well known
Agrotis infusa : the Bogong Moth,

CALPINAE, which includes a number that attack and damage fruit by penetrating the skin with the haustellum to obtain the juice,

and SPHINGIDAE, which includes a number that hover in front of flowers like a Humming Bird when feeding,

Agrius convolvuli moth sipping nectar
through its extended haustellum while hovering
(Photo: courtesy of Linda Kay, Berrigan)

ADULTS CANNOT FEED

ANTHELIDAE,

BOMBYCIDAE, which includes the well known
Bombyx mori : the Silkworm,

COSSIDAE, which includes the well known
Endoxyla leucomochla : Wijuti Grub,

EUPTEROTIDAE,

HEPIALIDAE,

LASIOCAMPIDAE,

LIMACODIDAE,

LYONETIIDAE,

NOTODONTIDAE,

PSYCHIDAE,

SATURNIIDAE, which includes the well known
Austrocaligula eucalypti : the Emperor Gum Moth,

and TINEIDAE.