See silkworm moths late Friday or early Saturday
June is the month for big silkworm moths, and now you can discover what species inhabit the area during unique late night and early morning viewing experiences at The West Woods Nature Center.
What: Mothing at The West Woods: Parts 1 & 2
When: Friday, June 28 – 10:30 p.m. to midnight;
Saturday, June 29 – 5 to 6:30 a.m.
Where: The West Woods Nature Center
9465 Kinsman Road (Route 87), Russell Township
To provide viewing of these often-elusive evening critters, Naturalist Linda Gilbert will use three techniques.
“Two involve lighting techniques, black light and mercury vapor light, and the third is baiting,” she said. “That is, we’ll mix up a slurry of ingredients which may include over-ripe bananas, stale beer, molasses or brown sugar, and orange juice, and we’ll ‘paint’ it on tree trunks.
Sightings of silkworm moths would be made all the more exciting by their size. Some are as large as the human hand.
“Moths are also often remarkably colored, from the pale green of the Luna moth to the colorful patterns on Cecropia moth wings,” she added. “There is sure to be an assortment of many sizes and shapes, but which silkworm moths will show up? That is the question.”
This free, all ages program will be fully wheelchair/stroller accessible. Registration is not required; call 440-286-9516 with questions.
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