The Intriguing World of Moths

My interest for those flying creatures carries over into the night. Moths emerge from that great unknown and are considered, by most, as nothing more than a drab nuisance....even ugly. Not so and quite the contrary. Moths come in a wide variety of sizes and colours and can be a most fascinating creature to observe. In fact many moths can put butterflies to shame in both departments. Why is it then that people say....I like butterflies but moths, well - oooooh - I don't care for moths much. I've heard that over and over again. If you take the time to suppress your initial impressions, to spend a little time observing and learning, the rewards are endless.

When I was around 10 years of age I remember finding a huge Cecropia moth and being astonished by it's size and colours. I had never seen such a large and beautiful moth. Sadly, I never really stayed in touch with the moth world, even after such a monumental event.......until that memory was resurrected by a student entomologist at Presqu'ile Provincial Park in 1996. At the time I was an avid butterfly observer and still hadn't really given moths the attention they deserved. To this day I cannot believe the diversity and beauty of those winged night fliers I witnessed on my first true adventure into their world. A world I could have shared throughout much of my life had I accepted that invitation many years ago..........when I found that Cecropia.

In North America there are around 700 species of butterflies and about ten times that many moths. So, if you are a budding lepidopterist, a vast new world awaits you when the sun goes down. A world full of mystery, colour and diversity that is guaranteed to overwhelm the newcomer.....in a positive way.

Not all moths are nocturnal but my intent is to aid you in the discovery of those fliers of the night. Unlike butterflies, moths are not pursued but the light of day - in a wild flower field with net in hand. First off you must  understand that moths are basically attracted to three types stimuli. Pheromones (a chemical that is released by other moths), light sources such as moon, fires, street lights and by food. For starters the later two are readily available methods by which to attract and observe. Moths can be found around exterior house lights, mall parking lot lights and street lights. If you take the time to notice what frequents these light sources at night, you might be surprised at what you hadn't previously noticed. In May and June members of the Giant Silkworm Moth family such as Luna Moths and Cecropia Moths and the Polyphemus Moths can be seen around these lights. I use these examples because of their large size and beauty that is sure to impress. Keep in mind that there are literally hundreds of beautiful moths, in our area, ranging in size from a fraction of an inch up to these majestic beauties and colours that range from the drab to the most intriguing hues imaginable.

If at this point your interest has been tweaked and you have a little money to spend then might I suggest you invest in an ultra violet light rigged for outdoor use. Along with a white sheet you will attract hundreds of moths and other insects for that matter. Benefits to this form of observation is that the specimens will land and rest on or by the sheet for easy observation. Blacklighting is also portable so it can be done virtually anywhere. The best months are June through August and the less light competition the better. By that I mean moonless and overcast nights or locations away from urban areas. Especially hot muggy nights, prior to a storm, produce a prolific number of visitors.

Then in August and through 'til October, I turn my attention to Sugaring ....a technique I learned from that same entomologist. In fact, so dedicated to the pursuit of moths was the fellow, he was always eluding to slathering himself with the concoction and standing in the woods at night. Unwanted critters could be a potential draw back to this approach......a fact I hope remains foremost in his mind whenever the urge manifests itself. In any case sugaring is done by painting bait on a tree line at night (still, warm, humid, overcast or moonless nights produce the best results) leaving it for a while then returning to the scene and observing the patrons preoccupied in the consumption of the intoxicating