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Last Moth Party of the year!
Come out and join us as we see what September brings. At our Moth Week event in July, we made 198 observations and recorded 63 species! See iNaturalist project for details. It will be fun to see what a new location and different time of year will bring.
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 fledging! 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 Furstenberg Nature Area parking lot off of Fuller Road (map).
