MOTHING IS THE NEW BIRDING

In May of 2021, I began photographing moths in anticipation of National Moth Week, which occurs during the last full week and two weekends of July.

Woefully underappreciated, there are 160,000 recorded species of moths, over *nine times* that of butterflies!

Moths come in many intriguing shapes, sizes, and colors. While we’re fast asleep, they are often busy pollinating. An important part of the ecosystem, “ninety-six percent of all terrestrial birds rear their offspring on insects, primarily the caterpillars of moths” stated Doug Tallamy who is an entomologist, ecologist, and conservationist.

The overall goal of my self-produced project was to raise awareness for moths (whose global numbers are plummeting), draw in citizen scientists (like a moth to a flame), and bring attention to National Moth Week.

In addition to the below selection of photos, this piece was also published via Smithsonian Magazine (online), which led to an Instagram takeover. National Geographic also gave a shout-out to the piece in their Animals newsletter.

Check out a selection of photos below and see more via The Washington Post: Look at a moth — and find a wonder that’s been waiting all along, The Guardian: The magnificent moths of the Catskill mountains, Smithsonian Magazine: These Moths Are So Gorgeous They ‘Put Butterflies to Shame.’