Carl and Aaron watch children participating in moth education activities, Grand Forks Public Library, 11 July 2013.
Delores and Carl explore an I-pad application for learning about Canadian moths, Grand Forks Public Library, 11 July 2013.
Carl explains how he uses a light trap to catch local moths while children use print and computer resources to identify living local moths, Grand Forks Public Library, 11 July 2013.
Laci helps with the construction of an alfalfa seed caterpillar art project, Grand Forks Public Library, 11 July 2013.
Children participate in a creative coloring project while learning about the anatomy of moths, Grand Forks Public Library, 11 July 2013.
Laci, Becky, and Heidi use one of the display cases to rear Tobacco Hornworm Caterpillar moths during ‘Moth Month’, Grand Forks, Public Library.
A ‘Moth Month’ display sheet showing photographic images (with key) of local July moths, Grand Forks Public Library.
A child uses an I-pad application to learn about how to identify local months, Grand Forks Public Library, 11 July 2013.
TURTLE RIVER STATE PARK, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, 19-20 JULY
Dr. Becky Simmons, biology professor at UND, explains the fascinating behavioral and biochemical evolutionary adaptations employed by moths in their struggle to survive and reproduce.
Becky demonstrates a technological device (to Heidi, Chuck, and Carl) that allows researchers to eavesdrop on the ultrasonic auditory signals used for both mate attraction and predator avoidance.
Carl tries to fill-in for Dr. Jerry Fauske, who was unable to attend the Saturday evening mothing event at the Turtle River State Park.
Tobacco Hornworm larvae were a big hit for children attending NMW activities at the Turtle River State Park!
North Dakota’s participation in National Moth Week was facilitated by Laci and Paul, Turtle River State Park’s two Interpretaive Naturalists. Without them there would have been no ‘Moth Week’! Thank you!
Carl conveys his enthusiasm for moths and mothing. “Remember,” he says to the bird-watchers in the audience, “Mothing’s hot, when birding’s not.” (Carl’s convinced that local bird-watchers would make dynamite moth-watchers! Rolf, Dave, Sharon, Paul, and Marshall are very nearly persuaded!) 😉
A cell phone photo showing Becky demonstrating vocalization in Hydroprepia at a picnic table of NMW participants while others look for incoming moths that are attracted to a mercury vapor light at Turtle River State Park, North Dakota.
O’Kelly Hall at 7:00 p.m., on the UND campus, Thursday, 25 July. Jerry Fauske helps us to think about how North Dakota’s moth fauna has changed over the last 85 million years, and more particularly how it has changed during the last 12,000 years. Thank you to Rolf Paulson for involving the Grand Forks Audubon-lite organization in North Dakota’s National Moth Week Celebration!
*****THE LAST EVENT!*****
The last event for NMW involves night-lighting for moths on the Coulee side of UND’s Wellness Center, 9:00-midnight on Saturday, 27 July with Carl. We’ll be looking for moths that have somehow survived this summer’s determined efforts to control mosquito populations, particularly Culex tarsalis, in residential Grand Forks.
Below you’ll find photos of the 10 species collected on Saturday night!
Comma Wainscot (Leucania commoides)
Snowy-veined Apamea (Apamea niveivenosa)
Mendosa Moth (Proxenus mendosa)
Marbled Cochylid (Phtheochroa riscana)
Topiary Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia topiarius)
Banded Sunflower Moth (Cochylis hospes)
Immaculate Grass-veneer (Crambus perlella)
Four-spotted Yellowneck (Oegoconia quadripuncta)
Double-striped Scoparia (Scoparia biplagialis)
Maple Twig Borer (Proteoteras aesculana)
Click on these links to watch teasers:
Dakota Naturalist 