Field Workshop: Moths

Tuesday, July 30, 2024 from 5:30 – 10:30 PM (dinner included)
James H. Barrow Biological Field Station at Hiram College 

Instructor: Judy Semroc, Field Biologist at Nature Spark and Greg Cudworth, Naturalist 

The Land Conservancy is pleased to offer a workshop devoted to learning the identification, natural history, and behaviors of moths (Lepidoptera). Of the insect order Lepidoptera, moths make up 94% of the species, with butterflies comprising a mere 6%. They are an effective indicator of total biodiversity and species richness. Join us to learn more about these fascinating night fliers and, when the sun goes down, see them up close at the light stations we will set up in the varied habitats of the James H. Barrow Biological Field Station. A detailed schedule is below, which includes an evening of classroom time, dinner, and a moth lighting.

James H. Barrow Biological Field Station encompasses 220 acres and is protected with conservation easement held by the Land Conservancy. 

Fee: $40/person
Hiram students: Please contact Renee Boronka, rboronka@wrlandconservancy.org, for information on complimentary registration. 

Limit: 15 

Schedule 

5:30 PM – 7:30 PM Classroom Instruction 

• Differences between butterflies & moths addressing many aspects & features 
• Anatomy - descriptions, terminology & functions 
• Natural history & behavior of flying adults including feeding, mating, egg laying, predation & predators, and habitat preferences 
• Natural history & behavior of larval (caterpillar) stage including morphology, food plants, cocoons, behavior(s) to thwart predation & predators, and habitat preferences 
• Basic Introduction to Moth Families 
• Lights & their attraction to flying moths – benefits & detriments 
• Identification Assists:  Field Guides, Online Resources, & iNat submissions will be introduced & briefly discussed 

7:30 PM – 8:30 PM Break for dinner. Light set up. 

8:30 PM – 10:30 PM Survey of Moths at Light Stations 

Various habitats will be visited to survey moth diversity. We’ll monitor sheets to see what is attracted to a variety of lights with differing wavelengths. Provide identification assistance. 

Recommended Books: 

Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America
Caterpillars of Eastern North America – Princeton Field Guide 

About Judy Semroc 

Judy is an area field biologist and naturalist who loves to learn about and share her passion for the natural world through interpretive hikes, programs, and photography. She has co-authored two natural history guides, Dragonflies & Damselflies of Northeast Ohio, and Goldenrods of Northeast Ohio. Judy is also the founder of Chrysalis in Time‚ the first Ohio chapter of the North American Butterfly Association (NABA), and serves on the board of the Ohio Bluebird Society, Ohio Ornithological Society (Conservation Committee) and the Ohio Biological Survey. 

About Greg Cudworth 

Greg has well rounded naturalist, who has been bird watching for more than 50 years. Greg has assisted in numerous Breeding Bird Surveys in Portage & Trumbull Counties. His ability to identify birds both by sight and song is excellent. In addition, he has assisted with Odonata and Moth & Butterfly Surveys and has extensive knowledge about fish species, especially the native fish of Ohio. He is lifelong dedicated sportsman and a member of the Greater Akron Aquarium Society. 

Location: Directions will be sent to registrants. James H. Barrow Biological Field Station is located in Garrettsville, OH. 

Registration for this event has closed.

PLEASE NOTE: You may be photographed or recorded by the Western Reserve Land Conservancy during this event. Your image or words may be used in materials prepared by or for the Land Conservancy, including marketing related materials.

Organizer: Renee Boronka, rboronka@wrlandconservancy.org, 216-533-8761