Is moth wing dust dangerous?

Discussion in 'Butterfly / Moth' started by Frank, Aug 8, 2007.

  1. Frank

    Frank GardenStew Founder Staff Member Administrator

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    So the other night a moth flew in and was doing it's little spiral dance next to my table lamp. Instead of it ending up as a dried up carcass on my floor I decided to help the little chap out so I grabbed it by its wing and set it outside. Of course then I had moth dust on my fingers.

    I wondered whether this dust is dangerous in any way e.g. if you got it in your eye? Seems like a silly question but curiosity has gotten the better of me.
     
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  3. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    I don't think it's any more dangerous than any other kind of fine dust you may get in your eyes Frank although I'm no expert on the subject. :-D
     
  4. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    Actually it is not dust, but scales. The wings of butterflies and moths are covered with them.
     
  5. CritterPainter

    CritterPainter Awed by Nature

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    Not unless you have a rare allergy. And just a bit of trivia, ya know those literary references to "fairy dust"? That's where it came from. I always warn children to be careful not to knock off too much fairy dust!
     



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  6. glendann

    glendann Official Garden Angel

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    CritterPainter answered the way I would have Frank.
     
  7. Frank

    Frank GardenStew Founder Staff Member Administrator

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    Thanks for the answer guys! And the bonus trivia was great Mary ;)
     
  8. stratsmom

    stratsmom Flower Fanatic

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    I don't think it's dangerous unless you happen to be the moth that lost your dust!
    Deanna
    :-D
     

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