BOONE — Citizen scientists and insect enthusiasts of all ages are invited to Moth Mania on Saturday, July 25, at Daniel Boone Native Gardens.
The highlight of the event, which starts at 7 p.m., will be moth sheeting after sunset. Special lights and white sheets will attract insects and enable participants to view moths up close under the guidance of visiting conservation biologist Thomas Reed.
“Moths are such interesting creatures, and most of us know so little about them,” said Amy Seeley, director of the Gardens. “We tend to think of them as drab, but with moth sheeting, anyone can study their intricate patterns. So many of them are absolutely beautiful.”
The educational event, which will run until 10:30 p.m., will also feature a brief presentation on moth basics, the challenges faced by moths and other insects, and how attendees can help support them. The event will be held in the Gardens, 651 Horn in the West Drive in Boone. Admission is a suggested donation of $5.
Registration is not required, but to receive updates, attendees can register online. Go to www.danielboonenativegardens.org/events for more information.
It’s all part of National Moth Week, a celebration of insects that are often overlooked or misunderstood, Seeley said. Moths are important pollinators, and as a food source for birds, other insects, and even mammals, they are a vital part of the food web. North America is home to more than 12,000 species of moths, as compared to 800 or so species of butterflies. Like other insects, their numbers are declining.
During the moth sheeting, attendees will be encouraged to log the species sighted as part of citizen scientist efforts for Moth Week. Reed and other experts will help identify insects and answer questions. Reed is a wildlife biologist and naturalist based in Chatham County, NC. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology from NC State University and has 12 years of experience surveying wildlife across the Southeast.
Citizen scientists who find and photograph 10 moths of any species in North Carolina July 18-26 and upload them to iNaturalist by Aug. 16 can earn a glow-in-the-dark decal or a custom-embroidered badge from Science Across NC. Learn more here: https://scienceacrossnc.org/events/moths/. Children in grades K-8 are also invited to earn their moth badge for ecoEXPLORE through this program at the Gardens, which is an ecoEXPLORE hotspot. Learn more at www.ecoexplore.net.
“This is going to be a fun way to get kids engaged in science and the natural world,” Seeley said. “I hope to see lots of families discovering the amazing wonders of moths together.”
Attendees will also have a chance to visit booths featuring community organizations including DarkSky NC and Xerces Society. Bug Lovers Native Plants will be on hand to sell plants that support moths and other pollinators and will offer a limited number for free.
“We hope this will become a popular annual event for us, just like Fairy Day,” Seeley said. “Part of our mission at the Gardens is to help educate everyone about how we can all make a difference for our ecosystem. Moths are a great place to start.”
Daniel Boone Native Gardens is a nonprofit public garden in Boone, N.C., dedicated to promoting the benefits of native plants and healthy ecosystems, and providing a community green space in the heart of the High Country. Daniel Boone Native Gardens also hosts educational programs and community events, including the Roots in the Garden summer concert series and the Fairy Day family event. For more information, including hours, events, and ways to support the Gardens, please visit www.danielboonenativegardens.org.
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