Celebrate National Moth Week by exploring nature at nighttime during our Arlington Citizen Science Program’s Moth Night at Shari Capehart Nature Preserve, 5201 Bowman Springs Rd, on Wednesday, July 24th at 8:30 pm. We will be observing moths in their local habitat and learning about their role as pollinators in North Texas. Texas Parks and Wildlife Urban Biologist Sam Kieschnick will be out special guest speaker for the evening. He will provide interesting insight on moths and their importance to our local ecosystem.

There will be multiple viewing stations set up along the boardwalk, parking area and walking trails where you will be able to observe, take pictures and ask questions about our local moths and other nighttime insects. There is limited parking so please carpool if you can and make sure you wear sturdy shoes and bring water and a small flashlight but most of all bring your curiosity!

Many night-blooming plants rely on moths and other nighttime visitors to spread their pollen. Moths are among the most diverse and successful organisms on earth. It’s estimated that there are 150,000 to more than 500,000 species! Shapes and sizes span from the size of a pinhead to as large as your hand and their colors and patterns vary from bright and vibrant to muted for camouflaged.

Plants benefit from attracting a particular type of pollinator to its flower. This ensures that its pollen will be carried to another flower of the same species and hopefully resulting in successful reproduction. Recent studies show that pollen transport by moths has networks that are larger and more complex than networks for daytime pollinators. Moths may be less efficient pollinators than butterflies and bees but may help create more diversity in the ecosystem.

Flowers that are visited by moths are typically white or dull in color and are typically in clusters, open in the late afternoon or at night and provide a landing platform. Moths look for flowers that produce ample nectar such as morning glory, tobacco, yucca and gardenia.

• If you are unable to join us for Moth Night, you can attract and observe moths on your own by simply leaving a porch light on and checking it after dark.
• Any type of light will attract moths. Use your porch light or purchase blacklights at a party supply store.
• Drape a light colored sheet over a clothesline outside and set up a light to shine on it. Moths use this surface to rest. This makes them easy to observe and photograph.
• Provide moths with fermented sugar and fruit recipe. Brush the mixture on a tree trunk an hour before dusk then check every 30 minutes to see what’s coming to the food.

Document what you find by taking photographs and uploading them to sites like iNaturalists.org. This platform provides a place for nature enthusiasts and citizen scientist to share their findings and provide data for future research. Currently our Pollinators of Arlington project is collecting species data on our native pollinators. These species observations will help us understand our local biodiversity and provide educational material for our outreach programs.

For more information about Moth Night or the Arlington Citizen Science Program contact the City of Arlington’s Stormwater Education Specialist, Melissa Walker, at 817-459-6572 or [email protected].