Marvelous Moths Event shines light on nighttime nature at Cool Springs Preserve

By Vanta Coda III, RealWV

Attendees of Marvelous Moths of Cool Springs Preserve look at the mothing setup, which consisted of a white sheet and fluorescent lights used to observe which moth species were attracted to it.

CHARLES TOWN W.Va — Crickets and katydids make a symphony of sound at the Cool Springs Preserve in Jefferson, County on the night of Monday, July 27. Joining the sound is the chatter of interested attendees as they look at white sheets with UV lights shining on them attracting different species of moths.

This is the Potomac Valley Audubon Society’s Marvelous Moths of Cool Springs Preserve event, presented by Kathy Barylski, a local moth expert and naturalist. This event has been hosted annually for the Jefferson County community for five years, typically during the height of moth activity between June and August.

Sonja Melander, Associate Director of Education for the Potomac Valley Audubon Society, said the community looks forward to events like these.

“It’s very much an intergenerational kind of event,” Melander said. “People coming to this are very excited about moths; it’s just this infectious excitement, where Kathy brings her expertise.”

Kathy Barylski shines a light for attendees to view a bright orange and red moth on the pillar next to the moth viewing sheet.

Barylski talks not only about the moths themselves, but also about her setup and how to make inexpensive setups at home, where you can observe moths without breaking the bank on different kinds of equipment to get into “light sheeting” or “mothing”. Barylski’s main moth lighting kit for the event consisted of a white nylon bed sheet, fixed to pillars with paracord, and a wavelength black light available at some local stores. Barylski also brought books on species identification for audience members to look up moths they found.

As an avid naturalist and citizen scientist, Barylski has been studying butterflies for 24 years and became interested in moths 10 years ago when her friend introduced her to mothing.

Kathy Barylski looks for different species of moths on her second mothing setup, a IKEA pop-up closet.

“You don’t have to get out in the field, like for counting butterflies you only get 22 species after a couple of hours of work on a good day,” Barylski said. “Whereas with moths, you set up the light, and the moths come to you. You could get 40 to 50 species easily.”

Barylski, from Frederick County, Maryland, frequently visits the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge to light sheet, which she says is a superb place to see dozens of different species that thrive in the Mountain State’s most unique ecosystem.

A light shines on a stunning white and gold colored moth on the light sheet.

“A good night this time of year in Canaan Valley is generally more than 100 species.” Barylski said. “In one night last year, I recorded 195 species in one night, which was my all-time peak.”

As Barylski told the event attendees, mothing gets better as the night goes on. Hopefully, the same will be true for those who try it at home.