Did you know that moths play a very important role as pollinators? July 18-26 was #NationalMothWeek, and our Insect & Disease team conducted light trapping at Harbison State Forest to see which types of moths (and other critters) would stop by.
Using a UV light and a white sheet, which attracts many different nocturnal insects, the crew found moths, a butterfly (surprisingly), hornets, beetles and more!
Researchers have observed a wide variety of moths transporting pollen from many different plant species overnight, including some flowers that are not often visited by bees. One study suggests that moths are better at pollinating than previously thought, thanks to their hairy underbellies where researchers collected pollen samples.
See the photos below for some of their most interesting finds.
Read more: https://xerces.org/…/the-night-shift-moths-as-nocturnal…
Sphingidae family
Anisota virginiensis
Parallelia bistriaris
Acharia stimulea
Eudryas unio