National Moth Week celebrates the beauty, life cycles, and habitats of moths. “Moth-ers” of all ages and abilities are encouraged to learn about, observe, and document moths in their backyards, parks, and neighborhoods. National Moth Week is being held, worldwide, during the last full week of July. NMW offers everyone, everywhere a unique opportunity to become a Citizen Scientist and contribute scientific data about moths. Through partnerships with major online biological data depositories, NMW participants can help map moth distribution and provide needed information on other life history aspects around the globe.
Why moths?
- Moths are among the most diverse and successful organisms on earth.
- Scientists estimate there are 150,000 to more than 500,000 moth species.
- Their colors and patterns are either dazzling or so cryptic that they define camouflage. Shapes and sizes span the gamut from as small as a pinhead to as large as an adult’s hand.
- Most moths are nocturnal, and need to be sought at night to be seen – others fly like butterflies during the day.
- Finding moths can be as simple as leaving a porch light on and checking it after dark. Serious moth aficionados use special lights and baits to attract them.
Sounds & sights from NMW 2012
This podcast and slide show is part of the One Species at a Time series from the Encyclopedia of Life (eol.org). Hosted by Ari Daniel Shapiro and produced by Atlantic Public Media. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attributions 3.0 United States License. Link to the podcast on EOL.org and more information – here.
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How you can help NMW:
- Help spread the word about National Moth Week in your community. Download the National Moth week flyer (pdf) to hand out or post.
- Collaborate with NMW
- If you are in the USA ask you senator to support the Proposed resolution to make the last week in July National Moth Week! click to read
- Support National Moth Week: NMW is funded by donations only. Donations to the National Moth Week project of the Friends EBEC are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Donate to NMW via PayPal or Credit Card:
How to participate:
Register an event or join a public event. Mothing can be done anywhere- at parks, nature centers, backyards and even in towns and cities. Learn more at the Finding Moths page.
NMW Dates: 2021-17-25 ; 2022-23-31 ; 2023-22-30 ; 2024-20-28
Past: 2012 – July 23-29 ; 2013 – 20-28 ; 2014 – 19-27, 2015 – 18-26 ; 2016 – 23-31 ; 2017 – July 22-30 ; 2018 – July 21-29 ; 2019-July 20-28 ; 2020-July 18-26 ;