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We are having another moth party! Join us at Black Pond Woods Nature Area for our August installment. Just as the species observed change throughout the night, so too do we see new species as we move through the calendar. It will be fun to see what we see at a new location and a month later. Check out our Moth Nights of Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance iNaturalist project to view hundreds of observations with photos, species details, and more for all of our past moth night events.
Why care about moths? Ninety seven percent of all North American land birds rely on animal protein to raise their young. For most birds, that means insects. And for most of them, that means caterpillars. Without abundant moth larva, there is not enough animal protein to raise the young of our beloved birds. It takes approximately 9,000 caterpillars to raise one brood of Black-capped Chickadees from hatching to fledgling! Now, think of all the birds you see out there. It’s hard to imagine the numbers required. So, you can see, moths are integral to the reproduction of most of our birds we love. They’re our allies in birding and getting to know them is a joy.
They are among the most diverse and successful organisms on earth. Scientists estimate there are 150,000 to more than 500,000 moth species. Their colors and patterns are either dazzling or so cryptic that they define camouflage. Shapes and sizes span the gamut from as small as a pinhead to as large as an adult’s hand. Most moths are nocturnal, and need to be sought at night to be seen – others fly like butterflies during the day. Finding them can be as simple as leaving a porch light on and checking it after dark. Serious moth aficionados use special lights and baits to attract them.
Once again, Susan Kielb and Heidi Trudell will guide us through the process of attracting, identifying, and enjoying these amazing creatures.
Suggestions for Attendees:
Directions: Meet at the Leslie Science and Nature Center Parking Lot.
