Mature moths exist to reproduce - they typically do not even eat during their short lifetimes - and successful reproduction begins by locating a partner of the opposite sex.
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| After emerging from the cocoon, the female "calls" and waits patiently. Female moths ‘call’ potential mates by releasing volatile sex pheromones. A male moth senses chemical signals with his antennae, which are covered with olfactory ‘hairs’ called sensilla. A male silkworm moth’s antennae contain 15,000–20,000 sensilla, half of which are specialized for the detection of bombykol. -Ref. sciencedirect.com |
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| Lots of fluttering of wings! When the male silkworm moth emerges from his cocoon, he detects the signals of the female. This causes him to become very active, fluttering his wings and moving around the area continuing to flutter as he searches. |
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| Male and female remain joined for hours, (approx. 24 hours) as fertilization of her eggs takes place. |
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| Female (left) & male silkworm moths. |
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| Fulfilling their "reason for being". |
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