INTO THE LIGHT: At Mountain Lakes on July 21 and the Mapleton Preserve on July 22, the public can learn about moths and help identify species, courtesy of light traps that will lure them in for close-up looks.
By Anne Levin
Like butterflies and bees, moths play an essential role as pollinators. But unlike these and many other insects, they do their work at night.
It is the unique habits of these species — there are said to be approximately 160,000 of them — that draw participants to National Moth Week events, two of which are happening locally in the coming week. Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS) will hold an Evening Moth Survey at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve on July 21, and the Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands will host a nighttime presentation and walk in the Mapleton Preserve on July 22.
Both events will start with a talk, followed by an outdoor search, courtesy of light traps, allowing for photographing and identifying the wide variety of moth species that the lights attract.
According to the website nationalmothweek.org, which is based in East Brunswick, National Moth Week is a global citizen science project developed by Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission (FEBEC) in 2012 by naturalists Dave Moskowitz and Liti Haramaty.
“National Moth Week began as a grassroots effort and has grown into a global citizen science initiative,” it reads. “Each July, thousands of people across over 90 countries participate in moth monitoring events and submit observations to platforms dedicated to wildlife identification and biodiversity research. The initiative highlights the ecological importance and incredible diversity of moths while empowering individuals to contribute to global conservation science.”
This is the third year for the Evening Moth Survey at Mountain Lakes. The program begins with an educational presentation at Mountain Lakes House by Patrick Natale, assistant professor of biology at Mercer County Community College. A venture outside, led by the FOPOS stewardship team, follows. Using the light traps set along the woodland edge near the building, participants will observe, photograph, and help identify the various species. Their findings will be logged as part of an ongoing citizen science effort to monitor local biodiversity and ecosystems health.
“Moths, in a way, are the butterflies of the night,” said Anna Corichi, director of natural resources and stewardship for FOPOS. “They are pollinators. They provide food to wildlife. And they are sensitive to changes in the environment. Surveying them is like an ecosystem health indicator.”
From the photographs taken at the event, an app is used to identify the various species. “Then we log them all,” said Corichi. “We can see if we have invasive species present, or native species present. We gather that information over the years and expand it to some of our restoration sites.”
Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands is the sponsor of “Winged Wonders of the Night” at Mapleton Preserve, 145 Mapleton Road in Kingston. Ecologist and natural history photographer Blaine Rothauser will give an introductory talk and slide presentation before the group steps outside and turns on a 1,000-watt light to lure various species of moths, to be identified.
Participants are advised to bring a camera, bug spray, a flashlight or headlamp, and wear comfortable walking shoes. The event, which is from 8-10 p.m., is limited to 25 participants, who must be 12 or older. Visit fpnl.org/pre-register to sign up.
The FOPOS program begins at 8:30 p.m. at the Mountain Lakes preserve, accessible from 57 Mountain Avenue. Those taking part are asked to bring a flashlight, wear sturdy shoes for walking on trails, and dress for warm weather evening conditions. Pre-register at fopos.org/events-programs.
“It’s a mix of people who come,” said Corichi. “One year, we had someone who knew a lot about moths. We also get a lot of families. It’s a fun night. People get excited about it.”