moth

Everyday

1. An insect like a butterfly, usually with dull brown or grey wings, that mostly flies at night and is drawn to lights. tree →
2. A small moth whose young (larvae) eat holes in wool clothes. tree →

In the lessons

In science, moths and butterflies are insects with four wings and a life cycle: egg, caterpillar, pupa (cocoon), adult. Most moths fly at night and rest with wings flat; many feed on nectar and are pollinators. Phrases: «like a moth to a flame», «moth-eaten».

Examples

• A moth flew around the lamp. tree →
• Moths are attracted to light at night. tree →
• The caterpillar turned into a moth. tree →
• Moths ate holes in Grandpa's wool jumper. tree →
• Some moths are as colourful as butterflies. tree →
• Moths help pollinate flowers at night. tree →
• For they saw at once that it was the great white Arctic moth. tree →

Note

Countable: moths. Not «mouth»: one letter different. Myth: moths are not harmful to people; only some larvae eat clothes.

In Jewish tradition

The moth stands for what is weak and passing. It eats clothes, so it pictures decay and how brief life is.

Interpretation. Tradition reads the moth as a sign that people and their wealth do not last, while God and His word last forever.

Examples

• Though I am like a wine-skin that consumeth, like a garment that is moth-eaten. (Writings JOB.13.28, JPS 1917) tree →
• He buildeth his house as a moth, and as a booth which the keeper maketh. (Writings JOB.27.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• Behold, they all shall wax old as a garment, the moth shall eat them up. (Prophets ISA.50.9, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: moths. Not «mouth»: one letter different. Myth: moths are not harmful to people; only some larvae eat clothes.