The first National Moth Week (2012) will occur this week, July 23-29!
The purpose of National Moth Week is celebrate these amazing insects and bring people together to learn about their importance. Groups and individuals from all over the world will spend some time during National Moth Week looking for moths and sharing what they’ve found.
With more than 10,000 species in North America, moths offer endless options for study, education, photography, and fun. Moths can be found everywhere from inner cities and suburban backyards, to the most wild and remote places. The diversity of moths is simply astounding. Their colors and patterns range from bright and dazzling, to so cryptic that they define camouflage. Moth shapes and sizes span the gamut, with some as small as a pinhead and others as large as a hand.
Most moths are nocturnal and need to be sought at night to be seen, but others fly during the day. Finding moths 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. Popular interest in moths is rapidly growing, as noted by recent publications and web-based resources. The new Peterson Field Guide to the Moths by David Beadle and Seabrooke Leckie, moth caterpillar guides by David Wagner, and a vast number of moth-oriented Internet resources such as the Moth Photographers Group and BugGuide are just some examples of moth’s growing popularity. Moths are also featured widely in literature and art providing a different angle for enjoyment and study. “Moth Nights” are often held by nature groups, and provide an opportunity for either an introduction to the creatures, or a venue for more serious pursuits.
To date, National Moth Week has more than 160 events planned all over the world in 16 countries and 46 US States. Participating countries include Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Colombia, Czech Republic, French Guiana, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, the United Kingdom, and Venezuela.
National Moth Week was spearheaded by the Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission. National Moth Week’s partners include Butterflies and Moths of North America, BugGuide, Discover Life, The Lepidopterists’ Society, the North American Moth Photographer’s Group, The Pollinator Partnership, Project Noah, What’s That Bug and Wild New Jersey.
