Lepidoptera - Not! A survey of mottephobia incidence and attitudes towards moths and butterflies

Human fears of many arthropods are well known, notably those associated with spiders and, in extreme cases can develop into true phobias (e.g., arachnophobia).  Less well known are fears associated with Lepidoptera, particularly moths, which can provoke strongly negative reactions in some people, sometimes developing into the condition known as mottephobia.  This study will discuss a survey of attitudes towards Lepidoptera, conducted over a three year period among college students.  Incidence of strongly negative reactions to moths, although lower than for spiders, did regularly involve over five percent of the individuals in the survey.  Also indicated were many different features of Lepidoptera that are disliked and, in some cases, may provoke fear.