When: July 25, 2026 @ 9:00 pm
Celebrate National Moth Week!
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 Jackrabbit Trail Head are natural surface that vary in elevation, from gentle incline to medium steep incline, and there are some stepping hazards such as roots, rocks, or mud in the trail. 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.
This program is weather-dependent and will continue in a light rain but cancel in a heavy downpour/electrical storm. Please leave pets at home. Children welcome!
This event is donation-based, with a suggested donation of $0-$20. No one will be turned away for lack of funds, but please give what you can.
Your support allows us to protect the special creatures, plants, landscapes, and heritage of WNC for all to enjoy!
Donations can be made online (select “upcoming event” from the dropdown box), or by cash or check at the event.
Email Alina at [email protected] if you have any questions. Registration recommended so Alina can communicate in case of severe weather.
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
Meet Your Teacher
As Mainspring’s Conservation Outreach Associate, Alina Martin aims to encourage the protection and appreciation of land by connecting communities to the birds, plants, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles that share our home here in the Southern Blue Ridge. Her birding adventures up and down the east coast have introduced her to a wide variety of habitats, and those experiences inspire her to continue nurturing her understanding of wildlife and plant ecology. Armed with her identification knowledge and ever-increasing wonder, Alina leads a variety of educational programs here at Mainspring, and finds something curious and new each time. She is a life-long birder, all-around naturalist, and avid user of eBird and iNaturalist.
