3 / 23 / 22 , 9:35 AM Celebrate National Moth Week by Exploring Nature at Nighttime - City of Arlington
Celebrate National Moth Week by Exploring Nature at Nighttime
Celebrate National Moth Week by Exploring Nature at Nighttime By Melissa Walker , Environmental Education Specialist Posted on Friday , July 16 , 2021
Celebrate National Moth Week ’ s 10th anniversary by exploring nature at nighttime . Get outside to observe moths in their local habitat and learn about their role as pollinators in North Texas .
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 . Its 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 .
Finding moths can be as simple as 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 white 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 .
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