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Matthew Valiga

he/him/his

Zoology/Environmental Science ∣ Miami University 2021

Graduate Assistant ∣ MU Department of Biology ∣ Pearson 352

Certified Interpretive Guide ∣ NAI

Writer/Producer/Co-Host ∣ The Birdy Bunch Podcast

valigamh@miamioh.edu

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Katy Lucas, Centerville-Washington Park District

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Katy Lucas, Centerville-Washington Park District

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Katy Lucas, CPRP (she/her/hers) | Environmental Education Supervisor

Centerville-Washington Park District | 221 N. Main St. | Centerville, OH 45459-4617

P: (937) 433-5155 x228 | F: (937) 433-6564 | www.cwpd.org

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Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America

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Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America

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With helpful tips on how to attract and identify moths, range maps and season graphs showing at a glance when and where to find each species, and clear photographs that use the unique Peterson arrow system for easy identification, this guide provides everything an amateur or experienced moth-watcher needs. Let the mothing revolution begin!

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Peterson Field Guide To Moths Of Northeastern North Ame…

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There are thousands of moth species in the northeast of…

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NSTA Blog: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Butterflies, and More About Moths!

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NSTA Blog: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Butterflies, and More About Moths!

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Book recommendations for young readers

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Butterflies, and More About Moths!

1. NSTA

2. Blog

3. The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Butterflies, and More About Moths!

By Peggy Ashbrook

Posted on 2024-03-12

In the spring, many teachers plan to show a butterfly life cycle to their students, often by purchasing caterpillars to raise in the classroom. Planting food plants for local butterflies and moths and searching for their babies (also known as caterpillars or larvae) connects classroom observations of purchased caterpillars with children's own environment (see NSTA Blog posts in the Additional References section below). Reading trade books aloud supports both literacy and science learning. Here is a short list of wonderful books about butterflies and moths, beginning with Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Carle's 1969 children's book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, is a beloved book for many reasons, beginning with the brilliant colors and tactile feel of his artwork. This fun book engages readers in both an unlikely scenario and math concepts, as the pages grow bigger and bigger while the number of favorite human food items eaten by the caterpillar increases. And of course, there's a happy ending.

It is an art book, a math book, and a science book. It is also a book for learning about media literacy because it provides a good place to begin talking about what is real and what is imaginary and how we can find out what happens in nature.

As a teacher educator who focuses on early childhood science education, I change one word in The Very Hungry Caterpillar when I read it aloud, substituting the word chrysalis for the word cocoon. To paraphrase comedian Steve Martin, "those scientists have a different word for everything!" The word scientists who use the English language have for the pupa stage of a butterfly is chrysalis, and the word that is used for the pupa stage of a moth is cocoon.

Not a big deal to confuse the two terms occasionally, but why not offer this rich language to children? We differentiate between arms and legs, fur and feathers, and leaf and petal. Doing so helps children describe their world and begin to understand the wonderful diversity among living organisms, as well as the concept of parts of an organism having specific use and purpose ( NGSS Core Idea LS1.A). Children can say Tyrannosaurus rex and other multi-syllable dinosaur names, and they are able to say chrysalis.

Here are a few other beautiful and fun books about the life cycle of the insects butterflies and moths. My favorite is What's Inside a Caterpillar Cocoon? And Other Questions About Moths and Butterflies by Rachel Ignotofsky. So many questions are addressed and investigated in this book! Children will enjoy discovering familiar and new caterpillars in the gorgeous illustrations, and will see the life cycles of butterflies and moths in side-by-side illustrations that begin to cement the way these animals are alike and different. And yes, the pupa stage of a moth is described as cocoon and that of a butterfly is called a chrysalis.

Moths and butterflies are both insects, in the same Order, Lepidoptera. Caterpillars of both moths and butterflies are listed in Amy Bartlett Wright's handy identification book, Peterson First Guide to Caterpillars of North America. The larval food sources are listed for each species, so if your children bring a caterpillar to school, you can find out what type of nice green leaf it needs to eat.

Use your students' curiosity about caterpillars and excitement when a butterfly emerges from its chrysalis to expand their understanding of all kinds of animals.

Resources: Children's Books

Carle, E. 1969. The very hungry caterpillar. New York, NY: Penguin Random House.

Himmelman, J. 1998. A luna moth's life (Nature upclose). Chicago, IL: Children's Press.

Ignotofsky, R. 2023. What's inside a caterpillar cocoon? And other questions about moths and butterflies. New York, NY: Random House Children's Books.

Koontz, R. 2009. What's the difference between a butterfly and a moth? Bloomington, MN: Picture Window Books.

McCloskey, K. 2023. Caterpillars: What will I be when I get to be me? TOON Level 1. New York, NY: TOON Books.

Pallotta, J. 2019. Not a butterfly alphabet book: It's about time moths had their own book!. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.

Petty, D. 2021. Moth & butterfly: Ta-da. New York, NY: Nancy Paulsen Books.

Pringle, L. 2014. The secret life of the woolly bear caterpillar. New York, NY: Astra Young Readers.

Rich, S. 2014. Mrs. Carter's butterfly garden. Richmond, VA: NSTA Press.

Simon, S. 2011. Butterflies. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

Wright, Amy Bartlett. 1998. Peterson first guide to caterpillars of North America. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.

Additional Resources

Peggy Ashbrook is an early childhood science educator and writer living in Alexandria, Virginia, and helping to raise her four-year-old grandchild. She wrote NSTA's The Early Years column from 2005 to 2021.

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Butterflies, and More About Moths!

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Butterflies, and More About Moths! NSTA Blog The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Butterflies, and More About Moths! By Peggy Ashbrook Posted on 2024-03-12 In the spring, many teachers plan to show a butterfly life cycle to their students, often by purchasing caterpillars to raise in the classroom.

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Free activity booklet designed for students ages 8-11 to learn about invertebrates and conservation. Once students complete the activities, they earn a special badge.

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Available at the Dayton Metro Library

K- Grade 3

Feeling quite ordinary, a plain gray moth sadly compares itself to its more exotic kin, such as the Luna Moth, the Spider Moth, and the Hummingbird Moth. And the little moth feels even worse when a young girl sees it and says "Eww!" But things change when her brother explains that this particular type of moth is his favorite kind of insect. Maybe an ordinary moth is really extraordinary after all. Back matter includes fascinating moth facts, along with a special activity.

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Feeling quite ordinary, a plain gray moth sadly compares itself to its more exotic kin, such as the Luna Moth, the Spider Moth, and the Hummingbird Moth. And the little moth feels even worse when a young girl sees it and says "Eww!" But things change when her brother explains that this particular type of moth is his favorite kind of insect. Maybe an ordinary moth is really extraordinary after all. Back matter includes fascinating moth facts, along with a special activity.

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An Extraordinary Ordinary Moth - Dayton Metro Library

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An Extraordinary Ordinary Moth - Gray, Karlin, - Feeling quite ordinary, a plain gray moth sadly compares itself to its more exotic kin, such as the Luna Moth, the Spider Moth, and the Hummingbird Moth. And the little moth feels even worse when a young girl sees it and says "Eww!"

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Alcohol-free ingredients to concoct a sweet mixture that attracts moths

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We see butterflies all the time during the day, but have you ever wanted to see and learn more about moths? By making a recipe of your own creation, you can attract moths to a specific spot and study them. One this you should know is moths are usually out at night and not during the day. The best part of making a sugaring recipe, is it does not have to be exact and you can make many different versions. Try using any combination of the following materials and see what works best to attract moths in your area!

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Suggested Materials:

Use any combination of the materials below. You want the consistency to be easy to spread but not drip.

- Water

- Brown Sugar

- Overripe Bananas

- Molasses

- Dry Yeast

- White Sugar

- Honey

- Maple Syrup

- Rotting Watermelon

- Cola

- Orange Soda

- Fermenting Peaches, Pears, or Apples

- Black Treacle

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Procedure:
1. Combine any of the above materials to create a spreadable mixture.

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‍ 2. In the late afternoon or evening, use a spoon or brush to spread the mixture onto a rock or tree. You can also hang a sponge from a tree with the mixture on it.

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‍ 3. Once the sun has gone down, check the places where you put the mixture. Do you have moths? If not, let it sit a little longer - remember, moths don't come out until nighttime. Are all of the moths the same? How do they look different? Try looking up the different types of moths you have attracted!

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‍ What's happening? Moths and butterflies have many things in common - they grow from caterpillars and they have scales covering the bodies and wings - but they have differences too. Butterflies are diurnal (awake during the day) while moths are nocturnal (awake at night). Like butterflies, moths also have a proboscis, which is a long tongue-like mouthpiece used for drinking nectar from flowers and fruits.

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Using sweet things, like brown sugar and bananas, in your sugaring mixture attracts moths and gives them a food source, while putting your mixture out during the evening allows them to find it during their regular awake hours. What else can you learn from watching the moths?

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We see butterflies all the time during the day, but have you ever wanted to see and learn more about moths? By making a recipe of your own creation, you can attract moths to a specific spot and study them. One this you should know is moths are usually out at night and not during the day.

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What's the Difference? Butterflies and Moths

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What's the Difference? Butterflies and Moths

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Available at the Dayton Metro Library

Grades 1-2

They're both insects. They both have wings and antennas and flutter through the sky. So how do you tell the difference between butterflies and moths? One way is to ask yourself if they fly mostly during the day or at night. These identification clues and many more can all be found in What's the Difference? Butterflies and Moths.

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Butterflies and Moths - Dayton Metro Library

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Butterflies and Moths - Herrington, Lisa M., - "Introduces the reader to butterflies and moths"--

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Available at the Dayton Metro Library

PreK-K

A newly-emerged peppered moth blends in with other speckled-winged moths on lichen-covered branches, but over time the moths with black wings increase as trees are blackened by soot from man-made machines.

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Creative nonfiction picture book explains evolution and natural selection. A newly-emerged peppered moth blends in with other speckled-winged moths on lichen-covered branches, but over time the moths with black wings increase as trees are blackened by soot from man-made machines.

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Moth - Thomas, Isabel, 1979- - Creative nonfiction picture book explains evolution and natural selection. A newly-emerged peppered moth blends in with other speckled-winged moths on lichen-covered branches, but over time the moths with black wings increase as trees are blackened by soot from man-made machines.

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Available at the Dayton Metro Library

Grades 3-7

Kit is excited to prove her worth as a Moth-Keeper, a protector of the lunar moths that allow the Night-Lily flower to bloom once a year, but she quickly finds that life as a Moth-Keeper is not what she imagined it would be.

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Title rated 4.3 out of 5 stars, based on 115 ratings (115 ratings)

Current format, Graphic Novel, 2023, First edition., Available .

Current format, Graphic Novel, 2023, First edition., Available . Offered in 0 more formats

Kit is excited to prove her worth as a Moth-Keeper, a protector of the lunar moths that allow the Night-Lily flower to bloom once a year, but she quickly finds that life as a Moth-Keeper is not what she imagined it would be.

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The Moth Keeper - O'Neill, Kay (Cartoonist), - Kit is excited to prove her worth as a Moth-Keeper, a protector of the lunar moths that allow the Night-Lily flower to bloom once a year, but she quickly finds that life as a Moth-Keeper is not what she imagined it would be.

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Moths: A Complete Guide to Biology and Behavior

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Moths: A Complete Guide to Biology and Behavior

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Available at the Dayton Metro Library

Middle & High School

This richly illustrated guide to their biology, evolution, and history demonstrates the incredible diversity of these winged insects and reveals the ruthless survival tactics used by some--including blood-sucking moths, cannibalism in the cocoon, and carnivorous caterpillars. The book also explores their extraordinary life cycle, charting development from egg to larva to cocoon to airborne adult, as well as the surprising variations of color and wing patterns that moths have evolved.

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Lees, David Conway, 1959-Lees, David Conway, 1959-

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Looking for moths can be as easy as leaving your porch light on and checking what is attracted to the light, or as advanced as custom setups with specialized lights and baits.

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Baiting and Moth Boxes are a way to draw a moth in with smell from fermented sugar and fruit. Try Dave's not-so-secret moth bait recipe or experiment with your own. Brush the mixture on trees around the area you're mothing in, about an hour before dusk.

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Grade Level:

Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade

Subject:

Science

Lesson Duration:

30 Minutes

State Standards:

Alaska State Standards
Science: A12, 14, 15; B1, 2, 3; D1, 2;

Essential Question

How does observation help us understand wildlife and habitat?

Objective

Using discovery and observation, students will better understand the role of little creatures as they relate to their habitat and other living things.

Preparation

Explain the following to the students:

Not all little creatures can be found during the day. What are some little creatures that are active at night? (bats, moths and other insects, some mice and other rodents). How does a bat find its food? (Through the use of sonar. The bat sends out a high pitched sound as it flies. If those sound waves hit something-a moth or some kind of obstacle-they bounce back to the bat. Through this use of sonar, a little bat can catch and eat up to 3,000 insects in one night).

Procedure

Gather the group in a circle with students an arm's length apart from each other.

Choose one student to be the bat, and a different student to be the moth.

Explain that the bat, who will be blindfolded to simulate darkness (bats are not blind, in fact their eyesight is quite good), will try to catch the moth using "sonar". To do this the bat and moth will both be inside the circle. Neither the bat nor the moth can leave the circle of students during the game.

On the teacher's signal the game begins. The bat calls out "BAT!" to which the moth must immediately reply "MOTH". Both bat and moth may walk inside the circle, but neither may run. The bat calls out as often as needed, and walks in the direction of the moth's response. This is done until the bat catches the moth. When this happens, allow other students to play the parts.

If a bat is having trouble catching the moth, stop the game. Decrease the size of the circle. What does this signify? (Loss of habitat) Resume play. After playing the game a few times, try some variations using one bat and several moths, or one moth and several bats.

Assessment Materials

Discuss the niche that bats have in the ecosystem. (A niche is the "job" of an animal or plant.)

Suppose that we decide to kill all of the bats in the area. What effects might that have on us? (We might have a huge problem with mosquitoes and other insects.)

What effects might that have on other plants and animals? (Different plants might be killed or injured by the increased number of insects. This in turn would affect the animals that use these plants as food or shelter.)

Additional Resources

This lesson is part of our "Pathways to Discovery" unit. The individual lessons can be done individually or as a larger unit of learning. They encourage the development of a student's awareness and appreciation of the natural world and people's relationship and role as a part of that natural world.

The lessons are a series of shorter activities that have been blended together under a specific theme with the intent that the activities will be coordinated with units in the existing school curriculum and texts. The materials are organized by grade level, but can actually be adapted for use at any grade level. Check out the Pathways to Discovery lessons.

Contact Information
Email us about this lesson plan

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Bat and Moth - Teachers (U.S. National Park Service)

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Grade Level: Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade Subject: Science Lesson Duration: 30 Minutes State Standards: Alaska State StandardsScience: A12, 14, 15; B1, 2, 3; D1, 2; How does observation help us understand wildlife and habitat? Using discovery and observation, students will better understand the role of little creatures as they relate to their habitat and other living things.

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Use tissue paper and plastic to make a sun catcher that will brighten up your window.…

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Peppered Moths and the Industrial Revolution

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Peppered Moths and the Industrial Revolution

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The Perfect Match: Coevolution between Flowers and Pollinators

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The Perfect Match: Coevolution between Flowers and Pollinators

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NSTA article by Julie Reynolds describing a high school lesson plan

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Peppered moths are experts at blending into the background of their natural habitat. Give your own moths some camouflage and challenge people to find them.

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PBS Learning Media: Bats and Moths Sound Battles

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PBS Learning Media: Bats and Moths Sound Battles

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Learn how bats and moths have shaped each other’s evolution in this video from NATURE: “Sex, Lies and Butterflies.” Moths jam bat echolocation to escape predation and long ago some moths even adapted to daylight by evolving into butterflies. In the accompanying classroom activity, students analyze data about how a moth’s tail helps them escape bats. Teacher support materials are included.

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Bats and Moths: Sound Battles | PBS LearningMedia

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Learn how bats and moths have shaped each other's evolution in this video from NATURE: "Sex, Lies and Butterflies." Moths jam bat echolocation to escape predation and long ago some moths even adapted to daylight by evolved into butterflies. In the accompanying classroom activity, students analyze data about how a moth's tail helps them escape bats.

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This WILD TV segment shows program host, Wali Collins and entomologist Mark Hostetler conducting an experiment on moths' attraction to light. Moths use the moon to navigate at night, the reason they are attracted to outdoor artificial white lights. Teacher support materials are included.

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This WILD TV segment shows program host, Wali Collins and entomologist Mark Hostetler conducting an experiment on moths_ attraction to light. Moths use the moon to navigate at night, the reason they are attracted to outdoor artificial white lights. Mark and Wali go to a dark spot at night and turn on a white light.

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PBS Learning Media: Poop-eating Sloth Moths (Gross Science)

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PBS Learning Media: Poop-eating Sloth Moths (Gross Science)

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Learn about the ecosystem living in the fur of the Central American sloth, in this episode of Gross Science from NOVA. Within their fur live moths, which wait for the sloths to come down from the trees and poop—about once a week— so they can lay their eggs. When the eggs hatch, the larvae eat the poop. Can you say coprophagous? That means poop–eater. Includes discussion questions for the classroom.

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Poop-Eating Sloth Moths | Gross Science | PBS LearningMedia

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Learn about the ecosystem living in the fur of the Central American sloth, in this episode of Gross Science from NOVA. Sloths are covered by green symbiotic algae, which keeps the sloths camouflaged in the trees where they live, and may provide nutrition for them.

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NSTA Daily Do: How did the moth population change?

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NSTA Daily Do: How did the moth population change?

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Students look at examples of how different factors affect shifts in organisms' populations.

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Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA) Project (Citizen Science)

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Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA) Project (Citizen Science)

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The Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA) project is an ambitious effort to collect and provide access to quality-controlled data about butterflies and moths for the continent of North America from Panama to Canada. Our goal is to fill the needs of scientists and nature observers by bringing verified occurrence and life history data into one accessible location. Citizen scientists of all ages and experience levels participate by taking photographs of butterflies and moths and then submitting their observations.

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Anyone can participate in the Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA) project. The easiest way to get involved is to submit your sightings to the BAMONA database. We welcome submissions from citizen scientists, and no experience or species knowledge is needed.

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Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA) Project (Citizen Science)

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Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA) Project (Citizen Science)

# data[].attributes.body
The Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA) project is an ambitious effort to collect and provide access to quality-controlled data about butterflies and moths for the continent of North America from Panama to Canada. Our goal is to fill the needs of scientists and nature observers by bringing verified occurrence and life history data into one accessible location. Citizen scientists of all ages and experience levels participate by taking photographs of butterflies and moths and then submitting their observations.

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Anyone can participate in the Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA) project. The easiest way to get involved is to submit your sightings to the BAMONA database. We welcome submissions from citizen scientists, and no experience or species knowledge is needed.

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Website developed by lepidopterists featuring information, coloring pages and activities for young learners

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Despite their small size, butterflies and moths are some of the world's most wondrous animals. Their beauty, seemingly miraculous metamorphosis, and apparently carefree flight all spark our imaginations.

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Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA) Project (Citizen Science)

# data[].attributes.subject
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA) Project (Citizen Science)

# data[].attributes.body
The Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA) project is an ambitious effort to collect and provide access to quality-controlled data about butterflies and moths for the continent of North America from Panama to Canada. Our goal is to fill the needs of scientists and nature observers by bringing verified occurrence and life history data into one accessible location. Citizen scientists of all ages and experience levels participate by taking photographs of butterflies and moths and then submitting their observations.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Anyone can participate in the Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA) project. The easiest way to get involved is to submit your sightings to the BAMONA database. We welcome submissions from citizen scientists, and no experience or species knowledge is needed.

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Available at the Dayton Metro Library

Informative Reference for a Green Schoolyard Project

Loaded with stunning color photographs, this practical guidebook, which encompasses the identification of moths, their caterpillars, and their vital roles in midwestern ecosystems, shows gardeners how to use native plants to attract these essential, but often overlooked and misunderstood, insects.

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Loaded with stunning color photographs, this practical guidebook, which encompasses the identification of moths, their caterpillars, and their vital roles in midwestern ecosystems, shows gardeners how to use native plants to attract these essential, but often overlooked and misunderstood, insects.

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Gardening for Moths - Dayton Metro Library

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Gardening for Moths - McCormac, Jim, 1962- - Loaded with stunning color photographs, this practical guidebook, which encompasses the identification of moths, their caterpillars, and their vital roles in midwestern ecosystems, shows gardeners how to use native plants to attract these essential, but often overlooked and misunderstood, insects.

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NWF: Are Entomologists as Endangered as the Insects They Study?

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NWF: Are Entomologists as Endangered as the Insects They Study?

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All life depends on insects. As many species decline and others—including disease carriers—relocate, the entomologists who study them are becoming endangered.

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Are Entomologists as Endangered as the Insects They Study?

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All life depends on insects. As many species decline and others—including disease carriers—relocate, the entomologists who study them are becoming endangered.

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Study reveals which outdoor lighting minimizes harm to insects

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Study reveals which outdoor lighting minimizes harm to insects

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LED light that is filtered to be yellow or amber in color attracts fewer of the flying insects that are integral to the health of the local environment — and that blue and ultraviolet light are more damaging because they attract so many more.

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Insects make our lives better - they are an important piece of the food chain and they pollinate the plants we use for food and backyard ambiance. But humans make those jobs more difficult, in part because the artificial light we use alters insects' normal behavior.

New research by UCLA and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute shows how the kind of light people use makes a big difference, even in one of the buggiest places on Earth - the Amazon River basin. The study, published March 16 in Insect Conservation and Diversity, reveals that a certain kind of light minimizes humans' impact on natural systems.

The study also reveal important findings for human health and comfort. Artificial light attracts biting insects and other bothersome or harmful species that can spread deadly diseases. The type of light people use, the research shows, can help keep people safer.

One of the study's co-authors is UCLA conservation scientist Travis Longcore, whose previous research examined on what lighting, theoretically, would most and least interfere with insects. The Amazon basin - where the Peruvian government is planning an energy infrastructure project in an area that has never before been exposed to artificial light - provided the perfect opportunity to test his predictions.

"The question we wanted to answer is, 'If you have to light these things, how should you do it to minimize the effects on the environment?'" Longcore said.

The paper found that LED light that is filtered to be yellow or amber in color attracts fewer of the flying insects that are integral to the health of the local environment - and that blue and ultraviolet light are more damaging because they attract so many more.

When light is required for maintenance workers or other purposes, the study found, the trick is to use yellows and ambers, and to use the least amount of light necessary. While other kinds of lights are somewhat more effective at minimizing insect attraction, the research focused on LEDs because they are becoming the most common. LEDs are typically more energy efficient and effective than other light sources.

Jessica Deichmann, a Smithsonian conservation biologist, led the team of U.S. and Peruvian researchers into the jungle to conduct the study. (For those who traveled from the U.S., the trip from Washington, D.C., to the test location in Peru took five days, two airplane flights and three boat rides.) The project was nearly canceled when specialized batteries didn't arrive on time, but a delivery person on a motorcycle got the batteries there on the last possible day before the researchers' boat was scheduled to depart.

Once on site, researchers lived in a small tent town beneath a larger tent structure to protect them from intense rain. They installed various arrangements of LED lights and collected the insects that showed up, and then sorted, identified and counted the insects.

"Our results aligned nearly exactly with the predictions from Travis Longcore's previous work," said Deichmann, the study's lead author. Longcore's earlier studies identified an optimal light spectrum range for as many insects as possible at the same time.

The results also confirm that it is fairly easy for a company or new community to reduce their lighting's impact on insects and biodiversity - simply select lamps that are least likely to attract not only insects but other wildlife. Lighting can be selected so that it interferes less with the natural behaviors of sea turtles, frogs and other species that are affected by artificial light at night.

Multiple studies in recent years have warned about the decline of insect populations and species diversity. As more infrastructure encroaches on natural ecosystems, the UCLA-Smithsonian research shows one way to minimize humans' impact on them. Dimmer lights are better and it's best if lights can be shut off at night. When a location must be lit at night, it's better to go with amber-colored light than white light.

If lights attract insects that carry disease or cause the death of thousands of insects that pollinate food plants, human communities will pay a big price, Deichmann said.

The findings also have relevance far beyond the Amazon - and even beyond wildlife habitats generally.

"Changing your lights is something you can do right on your front porch," Deichmann said.

"Or you can take action to make sure that the lights in your neighborhood are going to have the least impact possible on nature."

For example, bug zappers emit light that attracts insects, but they are inefficient at killing species such as mosquitoes. They tend to primarily kill beneficial insects while drawing pests closer.

For Longcore, the results revealed a relatively basic message for everyone who chooses lighting for their homes and businesses.

"Don't get the cold-light LEDs and put them all over your property," he said, referring to colors like blues and violets. "Individual decisions do add up."

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Study reveals which outdoor lighting minimizes harm to insects

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The findings have relevance far beyond the Amazon River basin, where the study was conducted.

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July 19-21, Bainbridge, Ohio

In the biologically rich 3000-acre Highlands Nature Sanctuary and nearby Pike Lake State Park and Forest, we will have the opportunity to witness large numbers of moth species and other nocturnal insects that will be attracted to our specially-installed light stations, all while under the mentorship of expert naturalists. Evening presentations will be hosted at the Paxton Historic Theater in Bainbridge, Ohio, 5 miles east of the Sanctuary. Be prepared to stay up late into the night, so come well rested!

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The Event! In the biologically rich 3000-acre Highlands Nature Sanctuary and nearby Pike Lake State Park and Forest, we will have the opportunity to witness large numbers of moth species and other nocturnal insects that will be attracted to our specially-installed light stations, all while under the mentorship of expert naturalists. Evening presentations will be hosted at the Paxton Historic Theater in Bainbridge, Ohio, 5 miles east of the Sanctuary. Be prepared to stay up late into the night, so come well rested!

Optional Friday and Saturday afternoon guided hikes will expose participants to the stunning beauty of the karst country landscapes and Appalachian foothills of the larger region, with additional sit-down classes. After you register and once we get closer to the event, we will be emailing you details on these offerings, asking you for your preferences, and then confirming your assignments by email, along with all the driving directions you'll need for the entire weekend.

Registrants will be well fed by Sanctuary staff who will be serving two brunches and one Saturday night dinner.

The primary hub for Mothapalooza will be at the Appalachian Forest Museum with evening presentations at the Paxton Theater in nearby Bainbridge, five miles east of the Museum on US-50.. Click here for directions to the Museum.

Drawing us in like moths to flame. For those of us who think of moths as mostly errant drab-colored creatures that accidentally stray into our homes through an open door, an intentional encounter with moths in their natural environment - with their exquisite wing patterns, often brightly furred bodies, and remarkable diversity - is a transformative experience. Once hooked on mothing, hot mid-summer nights will never be the same.

Ohio has over 3,000 species of moths - ranging from micro moths a few millimeters in size to giant silk moths larger than the palm of our hands. True, some look like "little brown moths," but others look like they are woven out of the finest tapestry or that they have borrowed the hues of fruit sherbets. Moths can look just like wasps, hummingbirds, bird droppings, owl eyes and even spiders! And, they bear marvelous names, like Blurry Chocolate Angle, Pistachio Emerald, Scribbler, Green Marvel, Betrothed, Penitent, German Cousin, and Blinded Sphinx, just to name a few!

Questions? If you have any questions, contact our Education Coordinator, Cassidy Drummond at 937-794-3360, or for questions about lodging contact Office Staff, Seth Oglesby at 937-365-1935 or arcpreserveinfo@gmail.com.

Cancellation policy. In case of cancellation, refunds will be granted in full up until May 19, 2024. After that time, all payments are final and if not used, will be recorded as a tax-deductible donation to the Arc of Appalachia. Registrations are transferable. If transferring your registration to another party, please be sure to give us your recipient's name and email.

Lodging. We have set aside all of our lodges at the Sanctuary and all of nearby Pike Lake State Park's cabins at a variety of price points. Group lodges at the Sanctuary can be rented by the room. Note that the Sanctuary and Pike Lake are the locations of our two primary light stations. Lodging reservations are made separately from our online event registration process. To reserve lodging, call us at 937-365-1935 during office hours to secure your space. Note, you must first be registered to attend Mothapalooza. The Sanctuary has many beautiful overnight facilities, most of which are historic and all of which are tastefully and uniquely decorated. They can be previewed here. All lodges and cabins have kitchens or kitchenettes and one or more bathrooms. If you are coming alone and you are willing to share unoccupied beds with another single person of the same gender, we can look for others who may be willing to do so, which will, of course, reduce your cost. Just let us know when you call.

What if lodging is booked at the Sanctuary and at Pike Lake? There are a large number of private lodges in the larger area that you can take advantage of. Check AirBnB, HipCamp for camping, and the travel and tourism websites for Ross and Highland Counties. Private rentals that are closest to the Sanctuary are: Lazy H Cabins, Kinder Farm, and Blueberry Hill Motel.You may wish to stay in nearby Chillicothe, which is very historic town with many old homes that have been turned into lodges, but please do note that it is a half hour drive from the Sanctuary.

Meals: Brunches will be served over an extended period of time each morning to accomodate the inevitable need to sleep in late, and which also helps to turn over our limited parking at the Museum. It is helpful if you up "stagger" your way to breakfast, that is to say, stagger your times of arrival (although if you stagger away from brunch with a happily full belly, that's good too). Saturday dinner will be served in two reserved shifts, at 5:15pm and 6:00pm, with seating times assigned closer to the event. Optional outdoor seating is available under an outdoor tent for all meals. Please bring snacks or food to supplement as desired. The Arc of Appalachia is well recognized for its fabulous meals that are often based on local Mennonnite produce. All meals vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options - please inquire when you arrive for a meal if you have special needs and we will be happy to accomodate with meal alternatives. All of our lodges have kitchenettes and refrigerators.

What if I am a beginner at mothing? BEGINNERS ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED! Previous experience is not at all necessary and we are eager to help beginners enjoy the event. Special traiining and orientation programs are available to beginners on Friday afternoon. Fortunately, unlike butterflies, once moths land on a lighting sheet they usually relax and will linger quietly for minutes, sometimes hours, allowing you to closely approach, providing plenty of time to take photographs (even your cell phone will do) to facilitate identification, which, for the sake of convenience, often takes place the following day.

Bringing a field guide and loading on Phone Apps before you come is recommended. We highly recommend Peterson's Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern America, by David Beadle and Seabrooke Leckie. On your phone, we highly recommended LEPS by Fieldguide, iNaturalist, and iSeek by iNaturalist.

Pack along shoes for getting in the water. A few of our Saturday field trips will be in the water. For those outings, bring something equivalent to Tevas or Chacos, or old-fashioned tennis shoes - whatever shoes you don't mind getting wet.

What if it rains? Rain will definitely make mothing challenging if we have a long steady downpour. Chances are any summer rains we have will be brief and we will be able to work around them. It would be unusual to get wiped out two nights in a row. That said, rain is a risk we just have to take.
What should I bring?

Cell phone for moth ID apps like LEPS and iNaturalist, emergency flashlight, and photography

a strong handheld flashlight separate from your phone

Moth field guide of choice

Water bottle and day pack to carry it in

Water-worthy sandals or shoes if yo are goign on an acqatic field trip

a notebook or clipboard, pen, pencils, and paper (for sketching and field notes)

Pocket money for snacks and small purchases

A light-weight wide-brimmed hat for sun protection

Personal care items (soap, shampoo, etc.); Sunscreen if you use it (note there are also environmental reasons not to- check it out);

Sunglasses if you are sensitive to bright sunlight

First aid kit appropriate to your needs

Optional. Insect repellent for ticks & chiggers, see details below.

Cell phone coverage and internet limited: Please note that the Sanctuary is in a rural location in the foothills of the Appalachians. Cell phone coverage is spotty and connectivity depends on your phone service company. However, limited Wi-Fi is available at the Museum headquarters where we will be spending a lot of time, and a short drive to Highway 50 connects to nearly every service provider.

Comfort in the out-of-doors: We will be spending most of our time in the field, so please pack clothing that will allow you to be comfortable for a variety of weather conditions. In southern Ohio, the low to mid-nineties are common daytime highs in July. If you work daily in an air-conditioned environment, you might be wise to prepare for the course by taking mid-day walks so you can begin adjusting to midsummer outdoor temperatures. Night time lows are widely variable, anywhere from the high sixties to eighty degrees. Hot nights produce better mothing experiences.

Flying in? Participants may fly into either Cincinnati or Columbus. Both airports are 1 hour and forty-five minutes away from the Sanctuary. Shuttles are not available so participants may need to rent a car.

Emergency Messages: Emergency messages for course participants can be left at the mainline of the Highlands Nature Sanctuary (937) 365-1935 during daytime hours.

Poison Ivy. You will have minimal but possible exposure to poison ivy. In any case, the leaders know the plant well and will help you avoid exposure. If you do touch the leaves, washing vigorously with soap within an hour avoids reactivity in most people.

Should I prepare for insects? Generally, the Sanctuary is not a buggy place for biting insects. We experience very few to no mosquitoes or black flies at the Sanctuary. You may encounter several species of ticks in the open fields, and chiggers in tall grass if you choose to wander into them (which is a good reason not to), and a few deer flies in low moist areas. That said, our tick population here is lower than in most southern habitats. If any of these challenges are new for you, let us know and we will do our best to orient you. No exposure to at least some insects in southern Ohio is not a realistic expectation for outdoor field work. Since we do have ticks in our southern Ohio preserves, please read the notes below.

A Special Note on Ticks. It is wise to minimize exposure to ticks. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE USE OF ROSE GERANIUM OIL ON YOUR LEGS AND PANTS which, when diluted 1:10 with rubbing alchohol and put in a spray bottle, has proved to be an excellent deterrent. We also recommend a good tick check at night before or after showering.

The key to addressing Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme's disease risks are to be aware of symptoms and demanding proper diagnostic tests if you suspect the disease. Both diseases are treatable if detected early, so it is wise to be proactive in your health care..

Here are some symptoms to remember, which tend to be flu-like. In addition Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever usually results in rashes.

Pain areas: in the joints or muscles

Whole body: fatigue, fever, or malaise

Joints: stiffness or swelling

Also common: appearance of large red blotches, sometimes with bulls-eye pattern,

A Special Note on Chiggers. Chigger bites are very annoying if numerous, and are itchy for about a week in most people, but are not dangerous. The best way to minimize or better yet, completely avoid chigger exposure is to stay on the trail and spray your lower extremities (see our our recommended rose geranium oil concoction which can go directly on your skin.). Perhaps, ironically, we have found that open-toed sandals attract less chiggers than socks and shoes. Chiggers love to bury into tight places between skin and clothing. Bare legs can also deter ticks because you can easily feel them crawling up your legs, as well as visually see them and more easily send them on their way.

We are not necessarily recommending shorts and sandals during the day, but if you enjoy wearing them, consider doing so and spraying yourself lightly with diluted rose geranium oil (see above). You may fare better than your less scantily dressed colleagues. After an outing in the field, regardless of your dress and use of repellants, to minimize chigger bites, wash vigorousy with a wash cloth and soap and make a visual check. If you have good eyes and you get to the task fast enought, you can even see chiggers as very tiny dark dots on your skin that can be scratched off.

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The Event! In the biologically rich 3000-acre Highlands Nature Sanctuary and nearby Pike Lake State Park and Forest, we will have the opportunity to witness large numbers of moth species and other nocturnal insects that will be attracted to our specially-installed light stations, all while under the mentorship of expert naturalists.