Vermont moths caught on camera drinking moose tears

A surprising scene unfolded in a quiet Vermont wetland: moths alighting at the edge of a moose’s eye and drinking its tears. Trail-cam footage shared with local wildlife observers shows a cluster of nocturnal moths hovering close to a massive ungulate, a rare moment that reveals a hidden connection between insects and large mammals.

The images and video are more than an oddity; they capture a behavior scientists call lachryphagy — the act of drinking animal tears — which has been recorded in tropical moths and butterflies but is far less documented in North America. The Vermont footage gives researchers and nature enthusiasts a fresh look at how small, salt-seeking insects interact with megafauna in temperate forests.

What the Vermont footage reveals about moths and moose

The trail-camera clips show several moths approaching a moose resting near a marsh, landing at the wet corners of the animal’s eyes, and delicately touching the surface with their proboscises. The moose appears largely undisturbed, blinking slowly as the moths feed. The behavior repeats over multiple nights at the same site, suggesting the moose tolerated — or at least did not actively repel — the visitors.

• Clear evidence of tear-feeding: Close-up frames show moths with outstretched proboscises making contact with the tear film along the eyelid.
• Repeated visits: The same patch of marsh attracted moths to the same moose on different nights, implying a reliable source of salts.
• Low disturbance: The moose’s calm reactions indicate this is not a painful interaction, though the animal may experience minor irritation.

Why moths drink tears: salt, nutrients, and survival

Insects cannot always obtain enough sodium and trace minerals from plant nectar alone. Many species have evolved unusual foraging strategies to get these scarce nutrients. Drinking tears, sweat, blood, or even animal urine and feces provides concentrated salts and proteins that support reproduction, flight muscle function, and neural activity.

How lachryphagy helps moths

• Salt supplementation: Tears supply sodium and chloride ions that are rare in floral nectar.
• Protein intake: Tear fluid contains proteins and amino acids useful for egg production.
• Reproductive boost: Access to salts can increase a female’s fecundity and a male’s mating success.

Lachryphagy is a documented survival strategy among several Lepidoptera groups worldwide. Tropical researchers have observed butterflies and moths sipping tears from turtles, crocodiles, and even sleeping mammals. The Vermont sightings suggest the behavior is more geographically widespread than previously thought.

Which moths might be involved and what we still don’t know

The footage shows medium-to-large nocturnal moths, but identification from trail-cam video alone is challenging. North America hosts many families — such as Noctuidae and Erebidae — whose members are active at night and are capable of seeking alternative salt sources.

Key unknowns include:

• Exact species identity: High-resolution photos or netted specimens would help confirm which moths are involved.
• Frequency: How common is lachryphagy in Vermont’s moth populations?
• Ecological drivers: Are roadside salt runoff, mineral-poor diets, or seasonal needs increasing tear-feeding behavior?

Researchers urge anyone who spots similar interactions to document them with date-stamped photos or videos and to share details with local naturalist groups or university entomology departments.

How scientists interpret animal tolerance and possible effects on moose

From the moose’s perspective, the cost of tear-feeding might be minimal. Mammals produce tears to keep eyes moist and to flush irritants. A few gentle visitors may cause brief discomfort but rarely lead to long-term harm. However, there are potential risks if tear-feeders transmit pathogens or provoke repeated irritation.

Potential animal health concerns

• Minor irritation and increased blinking, which can disrupt feeding or resting cycles.
• Possible vector transmission if insects carry microbes between animals.
• Stress if insect numbers are high or if feeding concentrates on vulnerable individuals (calves, sick animals).

Wildlife veterinarians note that while most documented cases show little direct harm, the cumulative effects of repeated pest pressure or secondary infections merit further study.

Why trail-cams and citizen science matter for new discoveries

Trail cameras and smartphone photography have vastly expanded our ability to record rare wildlife interactions. Unlike human observers, motion-activated cameras operate continuously at night and in remote places, capturing behaviors that might otherwise go unnoticed. This Vermont example underscores how non-invasive monitoring can reveal previously undocumented ecological links.

How to contribute useful data:

1. Use time-stamped images or video and record location coordinates.
2. Note environmental context: wetland, roadside, salt-treated areas, or animal behavior before/after the interaction.
3. Share with local wildlife groups, universities, or national databases for verification.

Documenting odd behaviors strengthens scientific knowledge by providing the raw observations researchers need to form hypotheses and plan field studies.

Broader context: salt-seeking insects and their ecological roles

Tear-drinking is one of several salt-acquisition tactics insects use. Mud-puddling butterflies gather at mineral-rich soil; bees and flies visit dung or urine; some moths have been seen piercing fruit or even mammal skin in other parts of the world. These behaviors show the lengths to which small animals will go to meet physiological needs.

Ecologically, these interactions:

• Create unexpected contact points between species that may influence nutrient cycles.
• Offer insights into habitat quality — frequent salt-seeking may signal nutrient-poor environments.
• Reveal adaptive behaviors that could shift with climate change and land-use patterns.

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William Anderson

William Anderson is a multimedia producer specializing in videos, podcasts, and interactive galleries. With five years of immersive content creation, he turns information into a rich audio‑visual experience. His storytelling skills draw you directly into the heart of every story, on any platform.