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I have to confess something: in my nearly 60 years of life, I’ve never really seen a truly spectacular moth in the wild. Butterflies? Sure. Bees? Every day. But moths have somehow remained mysterious little nighttime creatures fluttering just beyond my attention. That is about to change. This year, I’m on a mission to discover the incredible moth diversity right here in North Carolina’s Piedmont. I’m especially excited to participate in NC Moth Week through Science Across NC’s NC Moth Week from July 18–26. Maybe this will finally be the summer I meet one of North Carolina’s famous giant silk moths face-to-face! And after learning more about moths, I’ve realized they are far more than “those things that fly around porch lights.” They are essential nighttime pollinators and a vital part of our ecosystem. The Night Shift Pollinators While bees and butterflies work the day shift, moths take over after sunset. North Carolina is home to more than 2,500 species of moths, and many of them pollinate flowers that bloom or release fragrance at night. Moths are especially attracted to pale-colored, sweet-smelling flowers. As they hover or land to sip nectar, their fuzzy bodies collect pollen and move it from flower to flower. Two Very Cool North Carolina Moths Luna Moth The stunning green Luna Moth may be one of the most beautiful insects in North Carolina. With its long tails and glowing pale-green wings, it almost looks unreal. Adult luna moths don’t actually eat because they lack functioning mouthparts. Their caterpillars, however, feed on native trees like sweetgum, walnut, hickory, and persimmon. While adult luna moths are not major pollinators themselves, they are an important part of the nighttime food web and help support birds, bats, and other wildlife. Honestly, this is one I would absolutely love to see this summer. White-Lined Sphinx Moth The White-lined Sphinx Moth is sometimes called a “hummingbird moth” because it hovers while feeding, much like a tiny hummingbird. These fast-flying moths are excellent pollinators and often visit evening primrose, honeysuckle, four o’clocks, and other fragrant flowers common in North Carolina gardens and natural areas. They can travel long distances and are especially active around dusk. If you’ve ever seen something hovering at flowers at twilight and wondered whether it was a hummingbird or a giant insect, there’s a good chance it was one of these. Why Moths Matter Moths are much more than nighttime pollinators. Their caterpillars are one of the most important food sources for baby songbirds, and adult moths provide food for bats and other wildlife. Without moths, many of the ecosystems we love in the Piedmont would struggle to function. So this summer, I’ll be keeping my porch light on a little longer, watching for fluttering wings in the dark, and hoping to finally meet some of North Carolina’s nighttime pollinator superheroes. Maybe you’ll join me for NC Moth Week and discover a few amazing moths of your own.
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