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Fredericton Residents Document Moths for Biodiversity Project
24 Aug
Summary
- Residents document moths using black lights and white sheets.
- Project collects data on moth species to assess ecosystem health.
- Declining moth populations signal broader environmental concerns.
In Fredericton, the Nashwaak Watershed Association is leading a moth monitoring project, inviting residents to document nocturnal insects. The initiative, funded by the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund and running from July through October, seeks to learn about biodiversity within the watershed.
Participants use a white sheet and black light setup before sunset to attract moths. They then photograph the insects and upload the images to iNaturalist, contributing valuable data for biologists. This helps establish baseline species information to track population changes over time and understand ecosystem health.
Zoë Acreman noted the project's richness, logging over 500 moths. Experts like zoologist John Klymko highlight the importance of this work, as New Brunswick has over 1,700 moth species. He warns that declines in larger species like luna and cecropia moths, due to habitat loss and pollution, are concerning indicators.
Moths are vital pollinators and a food source for birds, making their populations key to ecosystem support. Klymko emphasizes that declining moth numbers act as an early warning system for environmental health, underscoring the value of ongoing monitoring efforts.
