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birdienlNature can be cruel. Many animals either eat other animals or are on the menu themselves. There are instances of feeding however, where it doesn't all end in blood-shedding and death!
Multiple species of moths, butterflies and bees feed on tears of larger animals. The tear fluid, produced to clean the eye and keep it moist, is full of salts and proteins. These substances are valuable sources of nutrition for the insects, especially in areas far away from other sources of salt (sea water). Though the tear-feeding does not harm the larger animals, species are often targeted on the basis of them being unable to brush the insects away. Therefore most targeted species are large, placid animals, such as turtles or antilopes.
In Madagascar a species of moth was recently discovered to drink from the eyes of sleeping birds. Madagascar, with it's unique fauna, does not have any large mammals (the largest are half-apes, which could easily brush off the insects with their arms). Therefore, the moths have adapted to feed on this unique host!
Multiple species of moths, butterflies and bees feed on tears of larger animals. The tear fluid, produced to clean the eye and keep it moist, is full of salts and proteins. These substances are valuable sources of nutrition for the insects, especially in areas far away from other sources of salt (sea water). Though the tear-feeding does not harm the larger animals, species are often targeted on the basis of them being unable to brush the insects away. Therefore most targeted species are large, placid animals, such as turtles or antilopes.
In Madagascar a species of moth was recently discovered to drink from the eyes of sleeping birds. Madagascar, with it's unique fauna, does not have any large mammals (the largest are half-apes, which could easily brush off the insects with their arms). Therefore, the moths have adapted to feed on this unique host!
