Editing Lepidoptera (section)

== Relationship to people ==

=== Culture ===

[[File:Acherontia lachesis MHNT Female Nîlgîri (Tamil Nadu) Dorsal.jpg|thumb|left|[[Death's-head hawkmoth]] (''Acherontia lachesis''), an old bleached specimen still showing the classical skull pattern on the thorax]]

Artistic depictions of butterflies have been used in many cultures including as early as 3500 years ago, in Egyptian hieroglyphs.<ref>{{Cite journal |last= Larsen |first= Torben B. |year= 1994 |title= Butterflies of Egypt |journal= [[Saudi Aramco World]] |volume= 45 |issue= 5 |pages= 24–27 |url= http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/199405/butterflies.of.egypt.htm |access-date= 18 December 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100113084254/http://saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/199405/butterflies.of.egypt.htm |archive-date= 13 January 2010 |url-status= dead }}</ref> Today, butterflies are widely used in various objects of art and jewelry: mounted in frames, embedded in resin, displayed in bottles, laminated in paper, and in some mixed media artworks and furnishings.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mfjoe.com/tag/furniture/ |title=Table complete with real butterflies embedded in resin |publisher=Mfjoe.com |date=18 December 2009 |access-date=28 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100506094545/http://mfjoe.com/tag/furniture/ |archive-date=6 May 2010}}</ref> Butterflies have also inspired the "[[fairy|butterfly fairy]]" as an art and fictional character.

In many cultures the soul of a dead person is associated with the butterfly, for example in [[Ancient Greece]], where the word for butterfly [[wikt:ψυχή|ψυχή]] (psyche) also means ''[[soul]]'' and ''[[breath]]''. In [[Latin]], as in Ancient Greece, the word for "butterfly" [[wikt:Papilio|papilio]] was associated with the soul of the dead.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.insects.org/ced4/etymology.html |title= Butterfly Etymology |work= [[Cultural Entomology Digest]] 4 |first= Matthew |last= Rabuzzi |date= November 1997 |publisher= Bugbios |location= Cupertino, California |page= 4 |access-date= 18 December 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/19981203024144/http://www.insects.org/ced4/etymology.html |archive-date= 3 December 1998 |url-status= dead }}</ref> The skull-like marking on the thorax of the [[death's-head hawkmoth]] has helped these moths, particularly ''A. atropos'', earn a negative reputation, such as associations with the supernatural and evil. The moth has been prominently featured in art and movies such as ''{{lang|fr|[[Un Chien Andalou]]}}'' (by [[Luis Buñuel|Buñuel]] and [[Dalí]]) and ''[[The Silence of the Lambs (film)|The Silence of the Lambs]]'', and in the artwork of the Japanese metal band [[Sigh (band)|Sigh]]'s album ''[[Hail Horror Hail]]''. According to ''[[Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things]]'', by [[Lafcadio Hearn]], a butterfly was seen in Japan as the [[personification]] of a person's soul; whether they be living, dying, or already dead. One Japanese superstition says that if a butterfly enters your guestroom and perches behind the [[bamboo]] screen, the person whom you most love is coming to see you. However, large numbers of butterflies are viewed as bad [[omen]]s. When [[Taira no Masakado]] was secretly preparing for his famous revolt, there appeared in [[Kyoto]] so vast a swarm of butterflies that the people were frightened—thinking the apparition to be a portent of coming evil.<ref>{{cite book | last = Hearn | first = Lafcadio | author-link = Lafcadio Hearn | year = 1904 | title = Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Thing | publisher = Dover Publications, Inc. | isbn = 978-0-486-21901-1}}</ref>

In the ancient [[Mesoamerica]]n city of [[Teotihuacan]], the brilliantly colored image of the butterfly was carved into many temples, buildings, jewelry, and emblazoned on [[Censer|incense burners]] in particular. The butterfly was sometimes depicted with the maw of a [[jaguar]] and some species were considered to be the reincarnations of the souls of dead warriors. The close association of butterflies to [[fire]] and warfare persisted through to the [[Aztec civilization]] and evidence of similar jaguar-butterfly images has been found among the [[Zapotec civilization|Zapotec]], and [[Maya civilization]]s.<ref>{{cite book| last=Miller| first=Mary| title=The Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya.| year=1993| publisher=Thames & Hudson| isbn=978-0-500-27928-1| url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780500279281}}</ref>

=== Pests ===
[[File:Acronicta psi - caterpillar 320px.ogv|thumb|right|Caterpillar hatchling of the [[grey dagger]] (''Acronicta psi'') eating leaves from a tree]]
The [[larva]]e of many lepidopteran species are major pests in [[agriculture]]. Some of the major pests include [[Tortricidae]], [[Noctuidae]], and [[Pyralidae]]. The larvae of the Noctuidae genus ''[[Spodoptera]]'' (armyworms), ''[[Helicoverpa]]'' (corn earworm), or ''[[Pieris brassicae]]'' can cause extensive damage to certain crops.<ref name="scoble"/> ''[[Helicoverpa zea]]'' larvae (cotton bollworms or tomato fruitworms) are [[polyphagous]], meaning they eat a variety of crops, including [[tomato]]es and [[cotton]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ipm.uiuc.edu/fieldcrops/insects/corn_earworm/index.html |title=IPM: Field Crops: Corn Earworm (Heliothis Zea) |first=Kelly A. |last=Cook |author2=Weinzier, R. |year=2004 |publisher=IPM |page=1 |access-date=17 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209184546/http://www.ipm.uiuc.edu/fieldcrops/insects/corn_earworm/index.html |archive-date=9 February 2009 }}</ref> ''[[Peridroma saucia]]'' (variegated cutworms) are described as one of the most damaging pests to gardens, with the ability to destroy entire gardens and fields in a matter of days.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Encyclopedia of Entomology|last=Capinera|first=John L.|date=2008|publisher=Springer Netherlands|isbn=9781402062421|editor-last=Capinera|editor-first=John L.|pages=4038–4041|language=en|doi=10.1007/978-1-4020-6359-6_3936|chapter = Variegated Cutworm, Peridroma saucia (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)}}</ref>

Butterflies and moths are one of the largest taxa to solely feed and be dependent on living plants, in terms of the number of species, and they are in many ecosystems, making up the largest biomass to do so. In many species, the female may produce anywhere from 200 to 600 eggs, while in some others it may go as high as 30,000 eggs in one day. This can create many problems for agriculture, where many caterpillars can affect acres of vegetation. Some reports estimate that there have been over 80,000 caterpillars of several different taxa feeding on a single oak tree. In some cases, phytophagous larvae can lead to the destruction of entire trees in relatively short periods of time.<ref name="Resh and Carde"/>{{Rp|567}}

Ecological ways of removing pest Lepidoptera species are becoming more economically viable, as research has shown ways like introducing parasitic wasps and flies. For example, ''[[Sarcophaga aldrichi]]'', a fly which deposited larvae feed upon the pupae of the [[forest tent caterpillar moth]]. Pesticides can affect other species other than the species they are targeted to eliminate, damaging the natural ecosystem.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Friendly Flies: Good News, Bad News |author=Hahn, Jeff |url=http://www.extension.umn.edu/yardandgarden/YGLNews/YGLN-June1503.html |publisher=[[University of Minnesota]] |journal=Yard & Garden Line News |volume=5 |issue=9 |date=15 June 2003 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720092257/http://www.extension.umn.edu/yardandgarden/YGLNews/YGLN-June1503.html |archive-date=20 July 2011 }}</ref> Another good biological pest control method is the use of [[pheromone trap]]s. A pheromone trap is a type of [[insect trap]] that uses [[pheromone]]s to lure [[insect]]s. Sex pheromones and aggregating pheromones are the most common types used. A pheromone-impregnated lure is encased in a conventional trap such as a Delta trap, [[pan trap|water-pan trap]], or funnel trap.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Insect Attractants and Traps |author1=Weinzierl, R. |author2=Henn, T. |author3=Koehler, P. G. |author4=Tucker, C. L. |url=http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in080 |publisher=Office of Agricultural Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |journal=Alternatives in Insect Management |series=Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida |date=June 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311182351/http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in080 |archive-date=11 March 2011 }}</ref>

Species of moths that are [[detritivore]]s would naturally eat [[detritus]] containing [[keratin]], such as [[hair]]s or [[feather]]s. Well known species are [[Tineidae|cloth moth]]s (''[[Tineola bisselliella|T. bisselliella]]'', ''[[Tinea pellionella|T. pellionella]]'', and ''[[Trichophaga tapetzella|T. tapetzella]]''), feeding on foodstuffs that people find economically important, such as [[cotton]], [[linen]], [[silk]] and wool [[fabric]]s as well as [[fur]]s; furthermore they have been found on shed [[feather]]s and [[hair]], [[bran]], [[semolina]] and [[flour]] (possibly preferring [[wheat]] flour), [[biscuit]]s, [[casein]], and [[insect]] specimens in [[museum]]s.<ref name="Garbe (1994)"/>

=== Beneficial insects ===

Even though some butterflies and moths affect the economy negatively, many species are a valuable economic resource. The most prominent example is that of the [[Bombyx mori|domesticated silkworm moth]] (''Bombyx mori''), the larvae of which make their cocoons out of [[silk]], which can be spun into cloth. Silk is and has been an important economic resource [[History of silk|throughout history]]. The species ''Bombyx mori'' has been domesticated to the point where it is completely dependent on mankind for survival.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Goldsmith M. R. |author2=T. Shimada |author3=H. Abe |year=2005 |title=The genetics and genomics of the silkworm, ''Bombyx mori'' |journal=[[Annual Review of Entomology]] |volume=50 |pages=71–100 |pmid=15355234 |doi=10.1146/annurev.ento.50.071803.130456|s2cid=44514698 |url=https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/bio_facpubs/337 }}</ref> A number of wild moths such as ''[[Bombyx mandarina]]'', and ''[[Antheraea]]'' species, besides others, provide commercially important silks.<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Yoshitake, N. |year=1968 |title= Phylogenetic aspects on the origin of Japanese race of the silkworm, ''Bombyx mori'' |journal=Journal of Sericological Sciences of Japan |volume=37 |pages=83–87}}</ref>

The preference of the larvae of most lepidopteran species to feed on a single species or limited range of plants is used as a mechanism for biological control of [[noxious weed|weed]]s in place of herbicides. The [[Pyralidae|pyralid]] [[cactus moth]] was introduced from Argentina to Australia, where it successfully suppressed millions of acres of [[prickly pear cactus]].<ref name="Resh and Carde"/>{{Rp|567}} Another species of the Pyralidae, called the [[alligator weed stem borer]] (''Arcola malloi''), was used to control the [[aquatic plant]] known as [[alligator weed]] (''Alternanthera philoxeroides'') in conjunction with the [[alligator weed flea beetle]]; in this case, the two insects work in [[synergy]] and the weed rarely recovers.<ref>{{cite book |last=Coombs |first=E. M. |title=Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States |publisher=Oregon State University Press |location=Corvallis |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-87071-029-2 |page=146}}</ref>

Breeding butterflies and moths, or [[butterfly gardening]]/rearing, has become an ecologically viable process of introducing species into the ecosystem to benefit it. [[Butterfly ranching in Papua New Guinea]] permits nationals of that country to "farm" economically valuable insect species for the collectors market in an ecologically sustainable manner.<ref>[http://www.butterfliesandart.com/Butterfly_Farms/Butterfly_Farms.htm Butterfly Farms | Rainforest Conservation | Butterfly Ranching] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080122110443/http://www.butterfliesandart.com/Butterfly_Farms/Butterfly_Farms.htm |date=22 January 2008 }}. butterfliesandart.com</ref>

=== Food ===

[[File:silkworm snack.jpg|thumb|right|[[Beondegi]], [[silkworm]] pupae steamed or boiled and seasoned for taste, for sale by a street vendor in South Korea]]

Lepidoptera feature prominently in [[entomophagy]] as food items on almost every continent. While in most cases, adults, larvae or pupae are eaten as staples by indigenous people, [[beondegi]] or [[silkworm]] [[pupa]]e are eaten as a snack in [[Korean cuisine]]<ref name="Korea">Robinson, Martin; Bartlett, Ray and Whyte, Rob (2007) ''Korea''. Lonely Planet publications, {{ISBN|978-1-74104-558-1}}. (pg 63)</ref> while [[Maguey worm]] is considered a delicacy in [[Mexico]].<ref>{{cite journal |first1=Ana María |last1=Acuña |first2=Laura |last2=Caso |first3=Mario M. |last3=Aliphat |first4=Carlos H. |last4=Vergara |year=2011 |title=Edible insects as part of the traditional food system of the Popoloca town of Los Reyes Metzontla, Mexico |journal=[[Journal of Ethnobiology]] |volume=31 |issue=1 |pages=150–169 |doi=10.2993/0278-0771-31.1.150 |s2cid=53963758 }}</ref> In some parts of [[Huasteca]], the silk nests of the [[Madrone butterfly]] are maintained on the edge of roof tops of houses for consumption.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Ramos-Elorduy|first1=Julieta|last2=Moreno|first2=José MP|last3=Vázquez|first3=Adolfo I.|last4=Landero|first4=Ivonne|last5=Oliva-Rivera|first5=Héctor|last6=Camacho|first6=Víctor HM|date=6 January 2011|title=Edible Lepidoptera in Mexico: Geographic distribution, ethnicity, economic and nutritional importance for rural people|journal=Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine|volume=7|page=2|doi=10.1186/1746-4269-7-2|pmid=21211040|pmc=3034662|issn=1746-4269 |doi-access=free }}</ref> In the [[Carnia]] region of Italy, children catch and eat [[Crop (anatomy)|ingluvies]] of the toxic ''[[Zygaena]]'' moths in early summer. The ingluvies, despite having a very low cyanogenic content, serve as a convenient, supplementary source of sugar to the children who can include this resource as a seasonal delicacy at minimum risk. Outside of this instance, adult Lepidoptera are rarely consumed by humans, with the sole exception of the [[Bogong moth]].<ref>{{cite journal |first1=Mika |last1=Zagrobelny |first2=Angelo Leandro |last2=Dreon |first3=Tiziano |last3=Gomiero |first4=Gian Luigi |last4=Marcazzan |first5=Mikkel Andreas |last5=Glaring |first6=Birger Lindberg |last6=Møller |first7=Maurizio G. |last7=Paoletti |year=2009 |title=Toxic moths: source of a truly safe delicacy |journal=[[Journal of Ethnobiology]] |volume=29 |issue=1 |pages=64–76 |doi=10.2993/0278-0771-29.1.64 |s2cid=73665731 }}</ref>

=== Health ===

Some larvae of both moths and butterflies have a form of hair that has been known to be a cause of human health problems. Caterpillar hairs sometimes have toxins in them and species from approximately 12 families of moths or butterflies worldwide can inflict serious human injuries ([[urticaria]]l dermatitis and [[atopic]] [[asthma]] to [[osteochondritis]], consumption [[coagulopathy]], [[renal]] failure, and [[brain|intracerebral]] [[hemorrhage]]).<ref>{{cite journal|author=Diaz, HJ|year=2005|title=The evolving global epidemiology, syndromic classification, management, and prevention of caterpillar envenoming|pmid=15772333|journal=[[American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene]] |volume=72|pages=347–357|issue=3|doi=10.4269/ajtmh.2005.72.347|doi-access=free}}</ref> Skin rashes are the most common, but there have been fatalities.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Redd|first1=J.|last2=Voorhees|first2= R. |last3=Török|first3=T.|title= Outbreak of lepidopterism at a Boy Scout camp|journal= Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology|volume=56|issue=6|pages=952–955|doi=10.1016/j.jaad.2006.06.002|pmid=17368636|year=2007}}</ref> ''[[Lonomia]]'' is a frequent cause of envenomation in humans in Brazil, with 354 cases reported between 1989 and 2005. Lethality ranging up to 20% with death caused most often by intracranial hemorrhage.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1590/S0004-282X2006000600029|pmid=17221019|date=December 2006|last1=Kowacs|first1=P. A.|last2=Cardoso|first2=J.|last3=Entres|first3=M.|last4=Novak|first4=E. M.|last5=Werneck|first5=L. C.|title=Fatal intracerebral hemorrhage secondary to ''Lonomia obliqua'' caterpillar envenoming: case report|volume=64|issue=4|pages=1030–2|journal=Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria|doi-access=free}} Free full text.</ref>

These hairs have also been known to cause [[keratoconjunctivitis]]. The sharp barbs on the end of caterpillar hairs can get lodged in soft tissues and [[mucous membrane]]s such as the eyes. Once they enter such tissues, they can be difficult to extract, often exacerbating the problem as they migrate across the membrane.<ref>{{cite journal|vauthors=Patel RJ, Shanbhag RM|title=Ophthalmia nodosa – (a case report)|url=http://www.ijo.in/text.asp?1973/21/4/208/34632|journal=Indian Journal of Ophthalmology|year=1973|volume=21|page=208|issue=4|access-date=17 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190912004614/http://www.ijo.in/text.asp?1973%2F21%2F4%2F208%2F34632|archive-date=12 September 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> This becomes a particular problem in an indoor setting. The hairs easily enter buildings through ventilation systems and accumulate in indoor environments because of their small size, which makes it difficult for them to be vented out. This accumulation increases the risk of human contact in indoor environments.<ref>{{cite journal |first1=Corrine R. |last1=Balit |first2=Helen C. |last2=Ptolemy |first3=Merilyn J. |last3=Geary |first4=Richard C. |last4=Russell |first5=Geoffrey K. |last5=Isbister |pmid=11837874 |year=2001 |title=Outbreak of caterpillar dermatitis caused by airborne hairs of the mistletoe browntail moth (''Euproctis edwardsi'') |volume=175 |issue=11–12 |pages=641–3 |journal=The Medical Journal of Australia |url=http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/175_12_171201/balit/balit.html |access-date=25 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404211547/https://mja.com.au/public/issues/175_12_171201/balit/balit.html |archive-date=4 April 2011 |url-status=live |doi=10.5694/j.1326-5377.2001.tb143760.x |s2cid=26910462 }}. Free full text.</ref>