Mysterious Moths: Growing the Darker Side of Butterflies

Jim McCormac
Sataurday, August 24, 2024 7:30 pm – 11:00 pm
Fernald Nature Preserve ~ Free!

Register today for this informative and engaging one hour presentation by Jim McCormac, co-author of the popular book Gardening for Moths, followed by checking light sheets for some mysterious moths and other intriguing insects that might be found at the lights and around the preserve! Learn how you can help these wonderful night time critters in your own backyard. For directions to Fernald Nature Preserve, follow the link, then click on “directions”: https://www.energy.gov/lm/visit-fernald-preserve-visitors-center. This program is sponsored by the Midwest Native Plant Society, Inc. The program is free but space is limited.

Registration required. Follow this link to register: https://midwestnativeplantsociety.regfox.com/mysterious-mothsgrowing-the-darker-side-of-butterflies

Jim writes that “Our enchantment with butterflies isn’t surprising. These daytime flyers are easily observed and collectively encompass a rainbow palette of colors punctuated with ornate patterns. However, their close relatives the moths overwhelm butterflies in species diversity and sheer numbers. Most moths are nocturnal and largely out of sight and mind. Nonetheless, they are one of the most important animal groups. Moths are inextricably intertwined with native plants, bats, birds, and the whole of the eastern deciduous forest ecosystem. They play an enormous role in the pollination of native plants and over the eons have spurred the evolution of myriad defensive plant compounds to ward off caterpillar herbivory. In addition, they are often far more interesting than butterflies, both visually and behaviorally. This talk will be a pictorial journey into an intriguing and little-known world of these amazing creatures. We can greatly benefit the ecosystem around us by “moth-gardening” in our yards”.

Jim worked for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for 31 years as a botanist, and later specializing in wildlife diversity projects for the Division of Wildlife. He has authored or coauthored six books, including Birds of Ohio (Lone Pine 2004); and Wild Ohio: The Best of Our Natural Heritage (Kent State University Press 2009). The latter won the 2010 Ohioana Book Award. He is a co-author of the Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas II book. His book, Gardening for Moths, in collaboration with Chelsea Gottfried, was released in February 2023. Jim writes a column, Nature, for the Columbus Dispatch, and regularly publishes a natural history blog. He has written numerous articles in a variety of publications and has delivered hundreds of presentations throughout the eastern United States. He was named the 2015 Conservation Communicator of the Year by the Ohio League of Sportsmen. Jim is an avid photographer, shooting a range of natural history subjects. He has had hundreds of photos published in various forums, including the TV show Jeopardy!