Moth Night
Photo: S. Reilly
Several times during the warm nights of summer, Master Naturalist and entomologist Dr. Sarah Reilly and entomologist Dr. James Reilly hold an event at Powhatan State Park where they set up special lights designed to attract moths and other nocturnal insects. Visitors get to take pictures of dozens of moth species, most of which they have never seen, along with other insects like dobsonflies, beetles, mayflies, and even an occasional butterfly, all of which find the light irresistible. Everyone is encouraged to submit their photos to iNaturalist, which are collected into a project documenting insect diversity at Powhatan State Park! (See links below)
Creatures of the Night​
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Moths represent one of the most diverse animal groups on Earth. Did you know that there are over two thousand species of moths in Virginia? They are a crucial part of our ecosystem, and they keep our world running! Moths come in many shapes, sizes, and colors, from the tiniest micro-moth with metallic gold stripes to the giant silkmoths bigger than your hand.
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Like many small wonders of nature, moths are often overlooked—or considered pests—because we don't really get to know them. Moth Night gives visitors to Powhatan State Park the opportunity to see moths "up close and personal" and to discover some of the fascinating characteristics of these important members of the night shift.
Who wouldn't love this face?
Photo: S. Reilly
Photo: R. Reilly
Photo: S. Reilly
While waiting for moths to come to the lights, visitors have a chance to learn about moths and their critical role in the ecosystem from our own Dr. Reilly.
Photo: R. Reilly
Photo: R. Reilly
The excitement on Moth Nights is palpable. There's a late-night party atmosphere as visitors gather around the sheets to see what insects have flown in out of the dark shadows and to hear their stories.
Photo: H. LeStrange
Photo: S. Reilly
Photo: K. McCray
Photo: S. Reilly
Gallery of Some of Our Favorite Visitors!
Photo: R. Reilly
Though the Virginia Creeper Sphinx (Darapsa myron) caterpillar feeds on the leaves of its namesake vine, the adult feeds on flower nectar, hovering like a hummingbird while it drinks with its long tube-like proboscis.
Photo: J.Reilly
The little Ailanthus Webworm moth (Atteva aurea) originally lived only in Florida and the American tropics, where it fed on paradise-tree, Simarouba glauca. When the infamous Tree-of-Heaven, Ailanthus altissima, was introduced from Asia, this moth did an unusual feat—it shifted its diet to feed on Ailanthus, and spread throughout North America along with its new, invasive host plant. This shows that the moth was not limited to tropical areas because of intolerance to cold, but only because it was dependent on a plant species that is! Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to have a significant impact on Ailanthus populations!
Photo: J. Reilly
With a wing-span of about 4 inches, the Tulip Tree Silk Moth (Callosamia angulifera) is a magnificent creature. Its caterpillars feed only on the native tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), and when they are ready to pupate, they spin a cocoon in a curled leaf that falls to the ground. So. . . leave the leaves!
Photo: J.Reilly
The Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda), clad in vivid pink and yellow, is a regular visitor and always a joy to see!
Photo: J. Reilly
The North American Luna Moth (Actias luna), another large silk moth with a 4-inch wingspan, is strikingly beautiful. Its long fluttering tails have been found to confuse the sonar of bats attempting to catch them. [See PNAS article here.] In this area, caterpillars commonly feed on the leaves of sweet gum trees.
In the blink of an eye, the Io Moth (Automeris io) can flash open its forewings to reveal a pair of big eyespots to startle predators.
Photo: J.Reilly
This Crambus shows that sometimes magnification reveals amazing colors and patterns in even the most commonplace little moths. These are tiny moths you might see fluttering up out of a grassy lawn to avoid your step.
Photo: J.Reilly
Photo: J.Reilly
The Mottled Prominent (Macrurocampa marthesia) would camouflage perfectly against a tree trunk covered with lichen, giving it some protection from the birds and other animals that rely on moths for food.
Photo: J.Reilly
Angus's Datana (Datana angusii) looks remarkably like a rolled leaf—even more so when it is against a natural background.
Photo: J.Reilly
The Beautiful Wood Nymph (Eudryas grata) looks like a big droplet of bird poop! What bird wants to eat that?
Photo: R. Reilly
Other insects come to the lights too, like this female Eastern Hercules beetle (Dynastes tityus), the heaviest beetle in North America! Its larvae, which are large white grubs, feed on decaying wood in dead, hollow hardwood trees. It is a gentle giant, perfectly safe to hold in your hand—if you don't mind its pokey legs!
We also see many Eastern Dobsonflies (Corydalus cornutus), which are also impressive in size! Males have enormous mandibles that look ferocious but are really only for show. They aren't strong enough to pinch at all! (The females, on the other hand, have short but sharp mandibles and can pinch if you pick them up). Dobsonfly larvae are aquatic, and are known as hellgrammites.
Photo: J.Reilly
What can we say... the groovy Pink Shaded Fern Moth (Callopistria mollissima) just looks like a 1970s sofa!
