National Moth Week To Kick Off Saturday In East Brunswick

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — Back in 2012, the Friends of the East Brunswick (N.J.) Environmental Commission started the National Moth Week (NMW).

The NMW is a worldwide citizen science project that invites organizations and individuals of all ages and abilities to observe, document and appreciate moths for their diversity, beauty and vital environmental role as pollinators.

This year is the 12th anniversary and National Moth Week will be observed July 22-30. To date, registrations have been received from nearly 30 countries, according to the organization.

This year’s community moth night will kick off at 8:30 p.m. in Community Park off Dunham’s Corner Road behind Crystal Springs Aquatic Center.

New and experienced “moth-ers” are invited to bring their cameras to document the moths that land on lighted sheets set up along trails in the park. Sturdy shoes are recommended and attendees should bring a flashlight and bug spray if needed. Before dusk, around 7:30, children can help “paint” tree trunks with a sweet mixture to attract moths.

Since its inception, NMW has been celebrated in more than 120 nations around the world and has an international team of entomologists, educators and researchers helping to advance knowledge of and interest in moths and their role in the environment.

NMW also has around 40 country coordinators on six continents who engage their fellow citizens in NMW activities, such as moth nights, educational programs, moth photography and data collection. Since it was established, NMW has inspired thousands of public and private moth-watching and educational events around the world.

Sites have included National Parks and Monuments, museums and local recreation areas, as well as private backyards and front porches – wherever there’s light and a place for moths to land. Individuals and organizations can register their own backyard and public events at this link.

NMW participants are invited to contribute their photos and data to NMW partner websites, as well as the NMW Flickr group, which has more than 100,000 moth photos from around the world.

“Documenting the numbers and locations where moth species are flying can help scientists determine what impacts, if any, climate change, pollution and other threats are having on native populations,” said Liti Haramaty, who co-founded NMW with David Moskowitz, Ph.D.

“National Moth Week is a model of international cooperation. Our international team, country coordinators and partner organizations share a love and concern for the environment, and especially for moths, which play an essential role in agriculture and the natural world.”

For more information about National Moth Week, visit nationalmothweek.org.