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Observations of tear-drinking by lepidopterans on moose ( Alces alces americana ) in northeastern North America

Laurence A. Clarfeld·Katherina D. Gieder·Therese M. Donovan
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Abstract

Lepidoptera have long been known to feed on the tears of vertebrates as a presumed source of minerals or nutrients. While this unusual behavior has been observed in a variety of species, only a single previous record has been documented outside of the tropics. Here, we present the first documentation of moths visiting the eyes of a bull moose ( Alces americanus americanus ), captured via trail camera in Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont, United States. We discuss the biogeography of this behavior, how it may differ between tropical and temperate climates, and its potential impact on moose health.

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90° N90° S · 180° W ← longitude → 180° E
Source-reported bounding extent: 43.41791271615742° to 44.68744433112053° latitude; -73.01538730171357° to -72.60965552163997° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Laurence A. Clarfeld, Katherina D. Gieder, Therese M. Donovan. 2025-11-20. Observations of tear-drinking by lepidopterans on moose ( Alces alces americana ) in northeastern North America. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.70422

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