Mabra Elephantophila is a species of moth that astonished entomologists when it was discovered. Why? Because this moth feeds on elephant tears!
It is now believed that these moths find elephant tears quite a nutritious meal, because the animal’s tears are not only made up of water and salt, but also contain trace levels of protein. Because it is so tiny, this shy and delicate little moth can drink it's fill from the eye of the elephant without the large animal even noticing.
Some other moths feed on tears as well. They all keep away from the tears of carnivores and prefer the tears of large hoofed animals. Some occasionally even drink the tears of humans. Each species has a unique way of getting to their favourite snack.
Some moths insert their proboscis under the eyelid of a sleeping host and then suck up the liquid. Others use the same tubular feeding structure to irritate the eye into producing tears, after which they can drink it up.
But the most unfortunate moth species, the Poncetia, has such a short proboscis that it has to drink while clinging to the eyeball itself—proving that size does matter. For this little under-endowed creature, timing is of the essence because its life could literally be ended in the blink of an eye.
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