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Quite the attraction: National Moth Week events highlight role of these important pollinators

Posted July 08, 2026 10:44 am

By Chris Gerke

A milkweed tussock moth often uses milkweed or dogbane as host plants as a caterpillar. It’s much bigger than the tiny red milkweed beetles that also use milkweed as a host. Daily Herald file photo

While bees and butterflies attract a lot of the buzz, moths are important pollinators, too, as well as an important food source for birds, bats and other animals, according to a release by organizers of National Moth Week.

The annual volunteer-driven event, set for July 18-26, encourages people of all ages to observe, photograph and document moths as part of this global citizen science project.

According to the National Moth Week website, the data collected each year during the last full week of July contributes to a better understanding of these insects’ diversity, distribution and ecology worldwide.

The Downers Grove Park District is participating with a program for a second year. According to Ryan Maywin, Downers Grove Park District assistant superintendent of recreation, the idea to take part came from a visitor.

“We do a lot of butterfly programs too, so this was a nice compliment to that,” Maywin said, adding that people are more hesitant to attend evening programs so they are less familiar with these often overlooked creatures, which belong to the same insect order as butterflies, Lepidoptera.

Illinois is home to 1,850 known species of moths, while there are only 150 species of butterflies here, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Maywin, who used to work at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo, knows exotic animals are always a major attraction, while native species are less known.

“A lot of kids know more about hippos and giraffes than they do about raccoons and chipmunks. So it's kind of fun to think of the things that just fly under our radar,” Maywin said. “When you actually slow down to look at it, you're like, wow, these are really cool, interesting things when you see them up close. There are a much more diverse group, but because they all look gray and white, people just kind of overlook them.”

The beautiful wood nymph camouflages itself from predators by using its folded-up forewings to mimic the look of bird droppings. Courtesy of Lisa Maier, The Land Conservancy of McHenry County

During National Moth Week, Lyman Woods Nature Center & Preserve in Downers Grove is offering three activities for children and adults exploring some of the interesting facts about the nearly 2,000 species of moths that call Illinois home. Registration is required for each event. For details, go to dgparks.org.

On Friday, July 24, kids ages 4 to 12 can join in the park district’s first “Moth Ball” from 5 to 7 p.m. in Lyman Field, 901 31st St. After joining in moth-inspired games, attendees can dance like a moth in the moonlight with either a supplied moth-wing costume or making their own costume to take home afterward. The kids also will make some moth-like treats to enjoy at home. The evening will end with a campfire, hot dogs and s’mores. This is a youth-only drop-off program. Cost is $20 for residents and nonresidents.

On Saturday, July 25, “Mimical Magical Moths: What Makes Moths So Special & Why We Should Care About Them” will explore what makes moths so different from other creatures in the natural world. Attendees will learn about local moths, as well as some of the most interesting moths found across the world. The free program from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Interpretive Center is open to all ages; children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

After the presentation, Lyman Woods naturalists will lead the “Marvelous Moth Hike” from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Learn about “mothing,” which uses light or bait to attract moths to a location for observation and data collection. Participants will learn how to make their own special moth bait, or “goop,” for home. It will be followed by a short hike to search for moths around Lyman Woods. There also will be a campfire with moth-inspired treats and some moth games for the kids.

The program is for ages 2 to adult; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Cost is $10 for residents or nonresidents. Dress for the weather, as the program takes place outside.

A hibernating woolly bear caterpillar can survive freezing temperatures over the winter. If it survives, it emerges in the spring as an Isabella tiger moth. Daily Herald file photo, Oct. 23, 2014

Around the suburbs

Local nature centers and environmental organizations across the suburbs are hosting events this year, but individuals or families can also do their own backyard porch light observations.

Snap a photo of the moths you see after dark and share your observation through partner citizen science platforms such as iNaturalist and Project Noah to help scientists gain a better understanding of moths. Partner organizations and their sites can be found at nationalmothweek.org/partners/.

As part of National Moth Week, The Land Conservancy of McHenry County will show how you can use light or bait to attract moths for observation and data collection. Courtesy of Lisa Maier, The Land Conservancy of McHenry County

Other programs offered include:

Moonlight Moth Walk: 9-10:30 p.m. Friday, July 17, at Wood Dale Grove, 895 N. Wood Dale Road, Wood Dale. Join a guided walk through the woods to learn about moth conservation efforts and how the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County monitors moths to study biodiversity. Then help with a nighttime science project. For ages 12 or older; those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. $5 per person. To register, call (630) 933-7248 or visit dupageforest.org. It will be offered again from 8-9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at West DuPage Woods, off Route 59 in Winfield.

The Secret Lives of Moths-Uncovering Hidden Nighttime Stories: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at the Field Museum, 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. Celebrate Moth Week with Field Museum scientists from the Negaunee Integrative Research and Keller Science Action Centers to explore the secret lives of moths, from their stunning diversity and surprising behaviors to their roles as pollinators and indicators of environmental change. See real specimens, ask questions, and discover why these nighttime insects matter. Included with museum admission: Tickets: fieldmuseum.org.

Moonlight Moth Hunt: 8:30 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at The Grove, 1421 Milwaukee Ave., Glenview. Youth ages 10-15 can find out why moths are some of nature’s most important (and misunderstood) pollinators. Attendees will learn how to attract and observe moths using light sheets and simple techniques they can try at home while discovering moth life cycles, adaptations, and how to identify common local species. After a short indoor introduction, head outside to see who flutters in after dark. This Glenview Park District drop-off program is $20 or $25 for nonresidents. Register via glenviewparks.org/facilities/the-grove/.

The twin-spotted sphinx moth, common throughout Illinois from spring to late summer, has a black eye-spot with an iridescent center. Members of this Smerinthinae subfamily have short or missing mouth parts and do not eat as adults. Courtesy of Lisa Maier, The Land Conservancy of McHenry County

Evening Mothing!: 8:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 23, at Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest. For National Moth Week, learn about this elusive nighttime pollinator with naturalist staff and visit two of the “moth traps” on the nature center grounds. It is for ages 8 or older with an adult. Registration required with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County; call (708) 366-6530 to sign up. fpdcc.com/event/.

After Hours — Moth Talk: 8 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 24, at Hennen Conservation Area, 4622 Dean St., Woodstock. What really happens when the sun goes down? Adults can celebrate Moth Week by hanging out with The Land Conservancy of McHenry County, enjoying s’mores and campfire games while waiting for our nocturnal insect friends to join the party. Bring a chair and bug spray. Register: conservemc.org.

Moonlight Moth Hike: 8-9:15 p.m. Friday, July 24, at Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Road, Highland Park. During National Moth Week, a naturalist will show kids ages 8 or older how to attract moths for data collection. Learn how to bait moths, as well as make your own moth bait, while learning about the wonders of this nighttime insect. Children must be accompanied by a paid, registered adult. It’s outdoors, so dress for the weather. $14. Registration is required via pdhp.org.

The eight-spotted forester moth, which is common throughout the state, is active during daylight hours from March through July, living in open areas and woodland edges. The larva feeds on Virginia creeper and other plants of the grape family. Courtesy of Lisa Maier, The Land Conservancy of McHenry County

Gardening for Moths: 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 30, online. Native moth caterpillars and adults play an essential role in local ecosystems. Discover the importance of moths and how to make your landscape moth-friendly. Native plant selection and sustainable garden maintenance will be discussed. This program is most appropriate for adults. It is free for Forest Preserve District of Lake County residents or $5 for nonresidents. Registration is required via lcfpd.org/calendar/.

Insects After Dark: 8-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at Hawthorne Hill Nature Center, 28 Brookside Drive, Elgin. Kids ages 5 or older with an adult can learn how to identify insects at night using an old sheet and a light. It starts with a quick overview of how to attract insects before going outside. Wear dark clothing and apply some bug spray. The evening ends with s’mores around the campfire. Cost is $8 or $10 for nonresidents. Registration is required via elginil.gov/248/Hawthorne-Hill-Nature-Center.