National Moth Week (www.nationalmothweek.org) is a global citizen science project that invites people around the world to learn about moths and contribute to our body of knowledge about these fascinating and indispensable creatures.

Celebrated annually during the last full week and two weekends of July, National Moth Week focuses on increasing the appreciation, study and data collection on moths so that we can learn more about their distribution and potential threats to their populations.

Moths are one of the Earth’s most diverse and successful organisms, but much remains to be learned about the ecology and distribution of many species. They are among nature’s most important pollinators, so it’s important that we keep track of how they’re doing. With the help of citizen scientists contributing their observations and photos to sites like
iNaturalist, we can fill in these gaps of knowledge.

With anywhere from 150,000 to as many as 500,000 species of moths around the world, there are endless opportunities and locales to observe them, from inner cities to suburban backyards; woodlands to remote corners of the globe. Just turn on a porch light at night or erect a more elaborate light setup and sheet, and wait for them to appear. They will surprise with their diverse shapes, colors and patterns, often so cryptic as to disappear on tree trunks or leaves. Day fliers, like the hummingbird moth, as well as caterpillars may be found when the sun is out.

During National Moth Week, look for events in your area by checking the online events map, or have your own backyard moth night. All events, public and private can be registered for free on nationalmothweek.org. Wherever you go mothing, bring a camera and share what you’re seeing with iNaturalist. menos ↑