This is an education class taught by guest instructor, Jim McCormac.
One thing is certain: ecologically, moths are critical to pollination and the food web. This talk will be a big picture view of the world of Midwestern moths and what we can do to help them by artfully employing native flora.
Moths dwarf their diurnal counterparts, butterflies, in diversity and sheer numbers. Across the Midwestern U.S., there are about twenty times as many moth species as there are butterflies—maybe more. Most moths are nocturnal, and mystery shrouds even the common species. Many plants have co-evolved flowers to facilitate moth pollination, bats rely heavily on them as a food source, and moth caterpillars are vital food for birds and other animals. Gardening for moths is easy, and gardeners can play key roles in fostering moth populations. Many easily attracted species are stunning—at least on a par with the showiest butterflies. The gardener may have to venture out after nightfall with a flashlight to admire them, though.
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