Biodiversity – Maryland Grows

Discovering Maryland’s Moths: The Joy of Slowing Down and Looking Closer

July 25, 2025Maryland GrowsLeave a comment

Three people "mothing" at dusk using an erected white sheet with UV light aimed at the sheet. — People gathered in a field at night around a white sheet illuminated by lights, observing moths and other nocturnal insects. Photo by Madeline E. Potter.

What is mothing, you may ask? Mothing is a form of wildlife observation where you head outside, usually at night, with a light source to attract and observe moths. While it may sound simple, after spending several evenings mothing with family, friends, and colleagues this past week, I was reminded of how joyful and awe-inspiring it can be to slow down and truly notice the natural world around us. A quiet peace comes with tuning into nature at night, and a renewed appreciation for the many species, especially nocturnal ones, that often go unseen in our daily lives.

Pausing for the Small Things: What We Can Find When We Slow Down

If you had told my teenage self I would one day study and teach about insects for a living, I probably would have laughed. Like many people, I did not always see insects as fascinating. As a kid, my parents often took me camping across Maryland, exploring nature trails near our home and hiking through nearby parks. I would spend hours using aquatic nets to find crayfish and dragonfly larvae, snapping photos of ant trails and spider webs, holding cicadas and scarab beetles, and catching butterflies with an insect net.

But as I grew older, that childlike curiosity faded, gradually replaced by fear, likely shaped by the societal norms around me. I learned to scream at spiders in my room and reflexively swat at bees or flies outside. Insects became little more than a nuisance.

Then, passionate educators rekindled that spark during a college course on insect pests of ornamentals and turf. I began to appreciate insects again, this time through the lens of their ecological roles, intricate life cycles, and astonishing morphologies. I will never forget seeing moth and butterfly wings under a microscope for the first time, each scale revealing a world of unexpected beauty and detail. I felt lucky to have access to a lab with microscopes where I could spend many quiet moments observing pinned insects of all kinds under magnification. A part of the course involved creating an insect collection. I found that once you start intentionally looking for different insects around you, you begin to notice them everywhere! These moments and this course brought me full circle, transforming what once seemed hidden and scary into something deeply meaningful and exciting. It was so profound that it set me on a path toward a career in entomology and inspired a personal mission to help others connect with the insect world through positive, safe, and empowering experiences.

Beyond the ecological sciences, I also learned a more personal lesson: sometimes it takes a moment of stillness to notice the tiny wonders that have been there all along. I continue to remind myself of it, especially amid the busyness and chaos of everyday life. I hope you can take a moment today or sometime this weekend to observe a new animal or insect. And if you are feeling curious, take it a step further by using a field guide or online resource to identify what you saw and learn about its biology. You will find that every insect and animal has a story to tell, an evolutionary history, a unique life cycle, complex relationships with plants and animals, and even connections to human culture.

An inset photo of a brown and white geometrid moth. The larger photo shows the intricate white and brown banding pattern on a wing. — A photo of a geometrid moth on top of a magnified image of one of its front wings, showing intricate details of scales and fine hairs. Photos by Madeline E. Potter.

Mothing: Observing Nighttime Activity and Wildlife

Is mothing the new birding? Mothing is a great way to peer into the world of nocturnal insects and animals. After hosting a couple mothing events this past week with friends, family, and colleagues, I discovered you see much more than moths at night, attracted to artificial lights including scarab beetles, weevils, plant hoppers, rove beetles, parasitic wasps, mayflies, stoneflies, lacewings, caddisflies, and more (depending on the time of year and where you are). This can be a great way to attract and observe these animals up close, especially with magnification like hand lenses or magnifying glasses. For people who are hesitant around insects, it can be a great environment to interact with insects at their own pace (with the forewarning that getting close to a light source at night may result in insects flying around you or landing on you, but headnets and backing away from the light can be helpful).

There is something about going outside at night when things appear to have slowed down, and pausing to see these lesser-seen nighttime animals in action. It can be a great way to discover life in your gardens and green spaces, recording your local diversity. Observing what is present or not present can also help inform your gardening, clueing you into what plants you may want to add to support the present life and the native species that may not be present. Of course, mothing or light traps are not a perfect or complete way to know all that is present in your space, but can be a great place to start, especially since we may only be currently observing daytime (diurnal) life in our gardens.

One of my mothing nights this week was in my parents’ fenced backyard with only ~200 square feet of green space, in a suburban neighborhood with lots of light pollution (see photo below). Even in this space, we observed many different moths, beetles, flies, spiders, and even slugs (great food for immature/larval fireflies). This shows you can observe nocturnal insects just about anywhere, on your apartment balcony, on your porch, in your wooded backyard, you name it. Local parks and groups have also been hosting different mothing events. If you want to look for events around you, they may be listed on the National Moth Week website event map.

A person "mothing" outside at night next to a white sheet erected on a frame with UV light directed at the sheet. — Madeline Potter standing beside a light and a white sheet draped over a fence in a suburban backyard at night, set up for observing moths. Photo by Michael J. Potter.

Tips for Mothing

I am not a mothing aficionado, but below are some general tips based on my experiences. The National Moth Week website also has some great mothing 101 tips and video guides for setting up your own mothing station.

Protect Yourself

Wear long sleeves, long pants, long socks, and tall shoes/boots to protect yourself from mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects. This also includes wearing insect repellent like Deet, Picaridin, or lemon eucalyptus (age dependent; be sure to read the product label for application directions and safety precautions). A hat, bandana, or head covering can help keep flying insects from landing on your head or getting caught up in your hair. Sometimes the insect activity can be dense near the light source or sheet, so you could also bring nose plugs, ear plugs, and/or headnets for extra protection. Remember to hydrate and bring water and snacks if you will be out for long periods.

Find or Bring a Light

Depending on where you choose to go mothing, you can bring your portable light or find an existing outdoor light source. Be sure you have permission to moth in the area you choose. You do not need a particular light to attract moths (any bright light will do), but research has shown that moths are preferentially attracted to short-wave radiation. Black Light (UV-A; 315-400nm) is preferred among mothing hobbyists and attracts the most insects. I hung up some Black Light bulbs and strips (9-10W, 385-400nm) that attracted lots of different moths and insects.

Hang up a white or light colored sheet

Hanging a white or light-colored sheet near your light source can act as a landing site for moths and provide an excellent, typically contrasting background for moth photography. A sheet can be draped over a sturdy tree branch, fencing, clothes drying rack, photo studio backdrop frame, and more. Be sure to secure your sheet and frame, especially if it is windy.

Sometimes the Later the Better

Different moth and insect species are out at various times of night. Some species specialize in being out only at twilight (dawn or dusk; known as crepuscular species). You can try mothing at any time of night, but if you wish to see a lot of different nighttime species, typically the later into the night you go out, the better. I went out around 11 pm or midnight the past couple mothing trips (July). Of course, this depends on the time of year and your location but be prepared to see different species and amounts of insects at various times of night. If you can set up your mothing station and periodically check on it throughout the night, that could be a tactic. It all depends on your preferences. Another option is to set up a “moth hotel” (filling a box with egg cartons, placing a funnel over the mouth of the box, and then putting a light on top of that), something you can put out all night and check to see what moth guests you have in the morning. Remember to release your moths before the hotel becomes a buffet for daytime wildlife.

Respect the Space and the Animals

As with any wildlife observation, we want to respect the animals. With moths, their wings are delicate and are covered in powdery scales. As fuzzy as they may seem, you should avoid poking or touching moths, particularly their wings. If you discover any nearby caterpillars, avoid touching them as some have stinging hairs that can be quite painful and sometimes lead to allergic reactions. I have heard a saying: “If it’s fuzzy, no touchy!” We can get close to moths, as it can be fun to spot their coiled “tongue” (proboscis) that will sometimes be unraveled and probe the sheet or surface they are on. Consider bringing extra lights, flashlights, magnifying glasses, and hand lenses for a closer look. There will also likely be many other tiny insects near the light source or on the sheet, particularly small parasitic wasps, beetles, plant hoppers, and more. An excellent time for an up-close look at a tiny world!

If you are in a space that is not your own, remember to clean up after you are done mothing, and respect the other rules the space may have (regarding noise, prohibited areas, prohibited items, etc.). As the saying goes, “leave it [the space] better than you found it.” Remember to turn off any lights you brought so that attracted moths and animals can carry on. One dilemma I have found is getting moths and other insects off the sheet when done observing them, as some will cling on. You can either leave the sheet out until morning, as many insects will typically carry on once your light is off and the sun rises, or you can grab a peer and both take either ends of the sheet, shake off, and encourage insects to fly away. Be mindful of insects that may have found their way between folds in the sheet.

If you have any mothing tips, please let us know in the comments below!

A large luna moth cocoon nestled in leaf litter. — A Luna moth cocoon nestled in leaf litter, constructed from leaves and other materials. Photo by M.J. Raupp.

Let’s shine a light on moths this week and beyond, to better support and understand these important animals! Happy Mothing!

By Madeline E. Potter, M.S., Faculty Specialist for Entomology and Integrated Pest Management, University of Maryland Extension

Book Review: The Nature of Oaks

January 15, 2025January 15, 2025Maryland GrowsLeave a comment

Winter’s leafless landscapes, while beautiful in their own right, can look barren compared to the cacophony of color and activity of late spring/early summer. Once an oak’s leaves have senesced and its acorns have fallen, you’d think that not much is happening way up there in the canopy. But surprisingly there is! Tallamy’s The Nature of Oaks, takes the reader on a month by month journey of how these mighty trees support an abundance of life year round.

In fact, indigenous oaks (genus Quercus) support the highest number of Lepidoptera (butterflies, moths, and skippers) species in the mid-Atlantic region- some 534 different native species (Tallamy & Shropshire, 2009). Lepidoptera in the larva or caterpillar stage, such as the Greater Oak Dagger Moth (Acronicta lobeliae) (Fig. 1), often have a narrow diet breadth feeding on only a single family of plants. The over 500 species of caterpillars that oaks support, in turn, feed birds and other wildlife further up the food chain.

Fig. 1. Greater Oak Dagger Moth caterpillar. Photo: Nick Furlan

Tallamy’s Nature of Oaks gives numerous examples of insects’ impressive camouflaging, and describes how it helps them go undetected by hungry birds. For instance, the oak specialist American Oak Beauty (Phaeoura quernaria) blends in amazingly well with its host plant during both its larval and adult stages (Figs. 2 & 3). It’s no wonder that we often don’t notice all of the activity on oaks, especially given that much of it takes place at night.

Photo of an American Oak Beauty caterpillar on a tree twig. The caterpillar looks very much like the tree twig. — Fig. 2. American Oak Beauty caterpillar. Photo credit: Adrian Romo

Photo of an American Oak Beauty moth on the bark of an oak tree. The bark is covered with gray and green colored lichens. The moth's body colors and color pattern make it difficult to see the outline and shape of the moth. — Fig. 3. American Oak Beauty moth. Photo credit: Basil Conlin

Tallamy also considers what’s going on beneath the canopy. Many oak-dependent species complete their life cycle in either the leaf litter or soil at the base of the tree. Research by our state entomologist and UMD alum Max Ferlauto shows that raking less results in more butterflies, moths, and beneficial arthropods. The harmful effects of leaf removal are widespread, impacting community composition, nutrient cycling, and soil stability (Fig. 4).

Illustration showing the negative effects of removing leaves from the ground. — Fig. 4. Negative effects of leaf removal. Illustration by Maggie Lin

Of course oaks support a host of other arthropods and critters- from tiny wasps that form galls on oak leaves and terminal buds to numerous birds and mammals that depend on the trees’ nutrient rich acorns. Tallamy’s Nature of Oaks contains compelling data and entertaining anecdotes that left me awestruck by the beauty and interconnectedness of these mighty trees with all living things. Tallamy suggests if you can only plant one tree, make it an oak.

If you’re feeling inspired to plant an oak in your yard, Tallamy provides guidance on where and how to plant oaks for long term success. For instance, to overcome the concern of tree damage, he suggests planting young trees closer together (vs a specimen tree) so that they’ll be smaller in diameter and their roots will interlock. In Maryland, we’ve 21 native oak species that are commercially available, including two that reach a max height of 20 feet. For photos and details on growth requirements, habitat value, etc. see the new Commercial Maryland Native Plant List.

Where can you purchase native oaks (and other plants)? This month, the MD Department of Agriculture (MDA) launched a certification program for wholesalers, growers, and retailers of native plants. The program will make it easier for consumers to find sellers via a tiered system (novice, pro, and premium). Certified sellers will be listed on MDA, MD DNR, and UME’s web sites (coming soon). The program will also help consumers quickly identify which plants are native to MD via a new ‘Best Maryland Native Plant’ logo that retailers are encouraged to use on plant tags and signage.

If you’ve any questions or comments about growing or using oaks or native plants in general, I’d love to hear from you at lkuder@umd.edu.

Reference:

Tallamy, D. W., & Shropshire, K. J. (2009). Ranking lepidopteran use of native versus introduced plants. Conservation Biology, 23(4), 941-947.

By Lisa Kuder, Native Plants and Landscapes Specialist, University of Maryland Extension. See more posts by Lisa.

Fear of Insects: Understanding Our Fears to Help Conservation

October 7, 2024October 4, 2024Maryland GrowsLeave a comment

Over the years, I have been involved in several initiatives that aim to summarize and translate our knowledge of insects, biodiversity, and some of the ecological services they provide, so that it can be understood by policymakers and the general public to inform decision-making and help ourselves and the living planet. The overwhelming take-home of these works is that insects (and biodiversity in general) are declining at a very fast speed, with very negative consequences on our ability to survive in a less diverse future world. When taking on these knowledge translation activities, however, there is one topic that keeps coming back: people are scared of insects (and wildlife, generally)! Then, how to promote the protection of something we’re scared of and disgusted by? In this blog post, I decided to embark on a mission: to help us understand our fears and recognize how they may be affecting our ability to protect the natural world, and what we can do to turn the wave on this to the benefit of all. Keep reading; I promise I will not shame or judge anybody 😉.

a beautiful collection of colorful beetles on display — Insects (only beetles shown in this picture) are the most diverse and abundant group of animals and play central roles in maintaining ecosystems. Photo: “Insects Unlocked” Project, University of Texas at Austin

The biodiversity crisis – a real problem with real consequences

There is now massive evidence that biodiversity is being lost. This is true for many groups of organisms, but here I want to focus on one in particular: insects. Why? Insects are the most diverse and abundant group of animals and, as such, they are deeply embedded in the running of the natural world. This diversity and abundance turn insects into sorts of ecosystem architects and janitors. They pollinate, feed on other organisms, degrade organic material and make nutrients available for others to consume, disperse seeds, and much more! Beyond the importance of all this to all organisms, these functions, in particular, are central to allowing us to produce food, maintain soil quality and balance, sustain rich ecosystems, and naturally control pests. Promoting insect protection, however, often faces a big challenge: low traction and low engagement, given the fear of insects.

Fear of insects – an encounter between humans and our natural world

Fear and disgust of insects is a very widespread feeling, especially in developed countries and urbanized societies. Although it is understood that the presence of fear or disgust usually develops as a protection system against potential dangers (and there are a few insects that we need to be wary of!), the extent to which fear of insects is present goes beyond what would be needed to properly protect us from a potential danger… And this is starting to have an impact on our ability (and willingness) to protect this important part of biodiversity. How does this work?

People have been studying fear of insects for a while and their findings are really interesting (you can read some neat reviews on this in Current Opinion in Insect Science and Science of the Total Environment). For example, researchers think that this extreme fear of insects may have evolved as a sort of “smoke alarm” (a loud but very non-specific type of alarm). In fact, there is reason to have respect for some insects, since some of them can lead to painful and potentially fatal bites/stings or can carry diseases. The presence of fear against those insects thus makes sense, because they lead to protecting our health. However, there is a balance to be found between responding to a real danger (e.g., hitting a hornet’s nest) or to an inexistent one (e.g., encountering a moth). Because the cost of responding to an inexistent danger is not super high in this case (like for a “smoke alarm”), then an extreme response to any insect can simply appear and spread through human populations. In this case, the only way to “tune” such an extreme response is to learn how to recognize harmful from non-harmful insects, something that many programs (including this blog! 😊) try to do.

Going back to biodiversity conservation, it is illuminating and empowering to realize that the simple action of learning can lead to increased conservation actions… learning when there is reason to stay away from insects or not leads to an appreciation of their huge diversity and more engagement in their protection. Some ways to do this involve using formal learning methods like courses, books, or guides, but also some more interactive ones, such as citizen science projects like iNaturalist or group-specific projects (e.g., the fireflies atlas).

a monarch butterfly — Rearing insects at home (like this monarch butterfly) can be a fun and learning-rich experience through which our appreciation for insects can grow and our fear decrease. Photo: Tim and Selena Middleton (CC)

Another way this fear develops is through social learning. As humans, we can learn through both direct experiences and social interactions. In fact, studies have shown that a large part of this establishment of fear or disgust in humans is learned through interpersonal interactions and not innate. For example, people have discovered that before age 5, most kids are not repelled by most insects or arthropods, and that the level of fear and disgust kids show is correlated with the fear their caretakers have of them. We see this a lot in our work. The Insect Zoo of our Department at the University of Maryland (UMD) is a very popular attraction at outreach events such as UMD’s open house event, Maryland Day. When participating in this event, we see time and time again how kids are not afraid of petting insects or other arthropods, while their parents are grunting and screaming in the background at the simple sight of one. Dealing with this learned fear is a bit trickier because it requires caretakers to become more aware of how they can imprint fear in kids. However, seeking to better understand and recognize insects and their potential (or not) of harm can help break this cycle. Rearing with kids insects like butterflies can be a great positive experience for all, and can happen in pretty much any house. Engaging in learning activities with kids, such as through insect summer camps (UMD has a super-fun Bug Camp!), is another way to restrict the establishment of this type of fear.

a women holds a spider in front of a boy at the insect petting zoo — Petting zoos and other exhibits that feature insects and other arthropods can be a great way to engage kids and adults in healthy and safe interactions with organisms they may fear. Photo: UMD Department of Entomology.

Finally, there is another way this fear may appear. We said above that this sort of fear is more common in urbanized societies. It is thought that a part of the fear may come from a lack of exposure to biodiversity. Under urbanization, there is indeed a removal of contact with natural environments, with people becoming less and less exposed to wildlife. When insects are seen (often in the house), the other two types of fears may pop up and join forces to, on the one hand, trigger repulsion or fear and, on the other, increase avoidance of natural spaces that could contain “bugs.” The good news is that even in cases when there are few natural spaces available close to home, there are indeed many ways people can be exposed and establish positive experiences with insects. Visiting exhibits where insects are featured is one of these ways. You can learn about many other ways in this cool article: Teaching About Insects in a World Afraid of Bugs.

By Anahí Espíndola, Associate Professor, Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park. See more posts by Anahí.

Anahí also writes an Extension Blog in Spanish! Check it out here, extensionesp.umd.edu, and please share and spread the word to your Spanish-speaking friends and colleagues in Maryland. ¡Bienvenidos a Extensión en Español!

The value of a pile of sticks in your yard or garden

March 10, 2023March 13, 2023Maryland Grows18 Comments

With spring coming up, many of us are already starting to get our yards and gardens ready for the growing season. Among the activities we may take on, there can be the managing of branches, sticks, and wood that may have been trimmed from trees and shrubs in the fall, over the winter, or just recently. In today’s post, I want to talk about how to integrate these resources into our green spaces, to support wildlife and the natural services they provide.

a pile of stick in a yard — Wood and stick piles can provide welcoming habitat to beneficial organisms. Photo: A. Espíndola

Increasing the diversity of our green spaces

In several of the posts that we publish on this blog, we recommend different actions that can be taken to increase biodiversity in our green spaces (see local ecotype plants, helping pollinators in small green spaces, and conserving parasitoids for some ideas). We know that increasing biodiversity improves the ability to control and restrain pests, increases wild and crop plant pollination, and in many cases leads to better soil quality. Among these practices, there is one that increases the physical complexity of our green spaces, providing nesting, shelter, and food resources to beneficial organisms. The practice I’m talking about consists of building wood and stick piles that can be established in our green spaces. The idea behind this practice is to create a space where birds, small mammals, insects, and even pest predators can find their preferred resources, and thus be attracted and present in our environments (learn more about the landscaping rationale for using dead wood).

What organisms are attracted by these piles?

Depending on the size of the pile and its composition (e.g., large logs, smaller sticks, a mix of them), different organisms will be attracted and may establish themselves in our green spaces. The presence of a mix of logs and sticks usually attracts birds, which may nest within the pile or may just spend time within the pile searching for food or finding shelter at different points during the day. These birds will certainly contribute to increasing the diversity of animals present in our green spaces and can also in some cases participate in the control of insect pests that we may not want in our gardens and yards.

Carolina wren bird with a caterpillar in its mouth — Carolina wrens are very attracted to shrubby habitats, meaning that piles of wood and brush represent a great way to provide resources to these little cute birds who in turn can help us keep herbivore populations in line. Photo: Shenandoah NP.

Other animals we can observe in these piles are a variety of insects then may be associated with the decomposition of wood or that may use wood as a nesting or overwintering resource (e.g., bees, solitary wasps). While the former can help recycle the wood material and reintegrate it into the habitat, the latter may participate in the pollination of plants and crops that we may grow in that area or predate on unwanted pests.

Similarly, ground-dwelling invertebrates like millipedes and ground beetles can also find shelter under these piles, while the brush can also contribute to the nesting of pollinators such as (ground-nesting) bees, the overwintering of some butterflies and moths, and help improve the quality of the soil in that part of our yard.

Larger organisms may also be attracted to these piles, such as small mammals, amphibians, and even reptiles. Although we may tend to dislike these groups of animals, many of them feed on unwanted soil organisms and may help with soil quality, while others can actually control vermin through their predatory abilities. This is particularly the case of snakes that may find shelter in these spaces, which, while harmless to humans (the vast majority of snakes in Maryland are non-venomous, readily feed on rats and mice that may be present around the house.

a pile of wood branches and sticks in a yard makes a habitat for beneficial organisms — A mix of thick and thin pieces of wood can provide a diverse habitat to many different organisms. Photo: A. Espíndola.

How to build these piles?

These piles can take many different shapes and sizes, which depend in part on the materials and space available. When very large spaces are available (e.g., in the woods), it is recommended for these piles to be relatively large – at least 10 to 20 feet in length, and up to 8 feet in height (read more about these larger brush piles). In smaller spaces such as in urban or suburban gardens, these piles can be much smaller, occupying areas that may not be regularly used for other purposes. In all cases, it is ideal to build these piles using a combination of different types of materials, such as twigs and branches of different thicknesses, some logs, and even some branches that may still have dead leaves attached to them…always using healthy materials.

An important consideration when putting together these piles is that they should not be built leaning on or very close to wood-based structures or the foundations of our buildings. This is because of the potential risk of termite infestations of buildings if the piles are not physically separated from them. However, it is important to stress that establishing these piles has not been shown to be associated with higher termite infestations if the pile is not in contact or very close to the built structure. (You can read a very good discussion about mulch and termites from Iowa State Extension).

So, as you work on your spring garden, I encourage you to think about plant stems, logs, and branches not as waste that needs to be cleaned up, but as beneficial resources that you can incorporate into your available space.

By Anahí Espíndola, Assistant Professor, Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park. See more posts by Anahí.

Anahí also writes an Extension Blog in Spanish! Check it out here, extensionesp.umd.edu, and please share and spread the word to your Spanish-speaking friends and colleagues in Maryland. ¡Bienvenidos a Extensión en Español!