National Moth Week at Radnor Lake 2021

National Moth Week 2021 was designated July 23-31. The last week in July is all about celebrating the fabulous …. moth! Butterflies’ lesser-known cousin, moths are nothing to scoff at, and National Moth Week is all about celebrating these delightful (and helpful!) creatures who are also pollinators. Did you know moths are among the most diverse organisms on Earth? It’s true! Scientists estimate there are at minimum 150,000 moth species, and some believe that there could be over 500,000! Moths have been found that are small as a pinhead and as large as an adult-human’s hand. But of course, it’s the incredibly complicated wing colors and patterns that make them especially dazzling.

In celebration, on July 23rd from 8:00 – 10:30PM, Radnor Lake hosted a moth survey at the old caretaker residence at the west end of the lake. Former State Parks Regional Naturalist John Froeschauer conducted a moth “sheeting” activity, where a light placed in front of a sheet will attract moths, leafhoppers, mayflies, beetles, and many other photogenic insect surprises that inhabit the area. Identification and the ecological significance of these resources was informally discussed. During this special program, John also documented a (our first known Abbots Sphinx Moth) recorded at Radnor Lake State Natural Area!

Special thanks to John Froeschauer for conducted this program for us, Ranger Matthew Bowling and Ranger Brandon Jarratt for assisting and thank you to our visitors who attended this special programming opportunity as we celebrated National Moth Week 2021 at Radnor Lake!