By Brody Milotte, Communications Intern
On a warm June evening, Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) teamed up with Backyard Butterflies to host a magical Moth Night event at Brumley Nature Preserve. Capping off Pollinator Week – an annual celebration that aims to spread awareness about pollinator species and how we can protect them – TLC and Backyard Butterflies wanted to plan an event that highlighted a species that is traditionally less popular but incredibly vital to our ecosystem. This exciting and educational experience was offered to the public for free, drawing nature enthusiasts and curious minds alike to witness the beauty of nocturnal insects.
Why moths?
Moths are very important insects! They are vital to our ecosystems as pollinators and as food for many critters like birds, bats, and other insects. Moths are also great indicator species, meaning that we can understand habitat health and quality based on which moths are present. The more moths present the better for everyone!
Watching the sunset
Many guests arrived early to set up chairs and wait for the sunset, while enjoying the company of fellow nature lovers before the moths started to become active. Attendees enjoyed music and discussing personal moth sightings in a lively and relaxed atmosphere. After about an hour, the hot summer sun began to set and TLC staff gave an overview of the collection stations.
Attracting the moths
Backyard Butterflies expertly set up white sheets and used special lights to attract the moths. The sheets were strategically placed in various parts of the preserve, inviting attendees to walk between them and discover the incredible diversity of moths and other nocturnal insects.
Flashlights were necessary for this event as once the sun went down it was completely dark between the different collection sheets. Backyard Butterflies’ expertise in setting up the sheets and lights was essential to the night’s success!
Collaborating for pollinator awareness
Serving the Piedmont region of North Carolina, Backyard Butterflies provides butterfly education, community outreach, and assistance to local communities with creating supportive habitats for butterflies. They also run the NC Moth Project, a citizen science project that provides resources on moths and works to engage the community in statewide moth surveys and events. TLC’s Moth Night is one of many that Backyard Butterflies hosts with community partners, including their Hillsborough Moth Crawl. Whether you missed this opportunity or are looking to continue your mothing adventures, there’s no shortage of moth events in the Triangle!
Sightings
Some of the many moths and other insects we spotted included:
Till next time
The first-of-a-kind event for TLC was a resounding success thanks to the collaboration with Backyard Butterflies. It was heartwarming to see the community come together to appreciate the often overlooked nocturnal creatures that play such a vital role in our ecosystem. Encouraged by the positive response, we are hopeful to host more Moth Night events in the future. Keep an eye out for announcements and join us in exploring the wonders of the night!
Check out our Instagram to see a video of what the night looked like!
