Nighttime Mothing in Franklin at Tessentee Bottomland Preserve

THIS FB EVENT IS NOT MINOTORED FOR SIGN-UPS.
Register on our website to receive a reminder email leading up to the event: www.mainspringconserves.org/events
This is one of four Mothing Events hosted by Mainspring this week! Scroll down or visit our events page to see the others.
The Southern Blue Ridge is home to a huge diversity of moths, from giant Silk moths to teeny tiny Grass moths! Hidden under the cloak of darkness, we don’t often have a chance to appreciate these nocturnal beauties like we do butterflies, but moths are just as stunning as their daytime cousins. Join us to discover the difference between moths and butterflies, reveal the inner workings of the moth life-cycle and why they depend on native plants, and learn how to attract these valuable nighttime pollinators to your own property.
During this event, we will have an active moth sheets set up. We will be using black lights and home-brewed bait to safely attract the insects to our mothing station. This will give participants the opportunity to observe these wild animals closely and compare them with similar species. We will see a variety of different moth species as well as lots of cool native beetles! We will start the evening with a frog walk as the moths come out. There will be an array of night sounds, from numerous frog species calling, to insects and potentially owls and flying squirrels!
The trails at Tessentee are wide and grassy that vary slightly in elevation, from gentle incline to medium incline with minimum to no stepping hazards. Little is required to approach the Mothing Station or participate in the frog walk, which will be on level ground. We suggest bringing water, a snack, layers, sturdy hiking shoes, and any naturalist tools you may want such as a notebook, hand lens, or field guide. Moths, other insects, our own field guides, and magnifying glasses will be provided. Note that there are no restrooms on this property.

Email Alina at amartin@mainspringconserves.org if you have any questions.

MAINSPRING’S NATIONAL MOTH WEEK EVENT DATES
Tuesday July 21st: Tessentee Bottomland Preserve, 9pm-11pm
Thursday, July 23rd: Welch Farm Preserve, 9pm-11pm
Friday, July 24th: Jackrabbit Recreation Area, 9pm-11pm
Saturday, July 25th: Welch Farm Preserve, 9pm-11pm