Vampire Moth - Calyptra Spp. - Animal India - 03/23/2025

Calyptra Spp., also known as "vampire moths," are a group of moths characterized by their modified proboscis with barbed hooks, which they are using to pierce the skin of hard fruits and, in some cases, even humans and other mammals to feed on blood. Males are hematophagous, feeding on blood, while females primarily eat fruit. These moths are medium-sized and are known for their resemblance to dried leaves, with a wingspan typically ranging from 35 to 72 mm, and they are sitting on the wall in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on March 23, 2025.