About this episode
Did you know that there are approximately 10 times more moth species worldwide than there are butterfly species? Or that without moths we would have fewer songbirds, less genetic diversity in many of our native plants, and lower harvests of many popular fruits? Or that creating better moth habitats around our homes also benefits our health and wellbeing? Dr. Elena Tartaglia shares her love of moths, some of the key roles they play in the ecosystem, how helping moths also helps us, and much more. Elena is a co-founder of National Moth Week and a Research Associate at Rutgers University. The full transcript of this episode can be found on the episode's webpage: https://www.backyardecology.net/moths-unsung-heroes-of-pollination-and-beyond/ Get a free copy of our e-book, An Introduction to Gardening with Native Plants: Hardiness Zones and Ecoregions, when you subscribe to our email. Subscribe at www.backyardecology.net/subscribe . National Moth Week links: Website: https://nationalmothweek.org/ Moth Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NationalMothWeek/ Caterpillar Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NationalMothWeekCaterpillars/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mothweek/?hl=en Other episode links: Elena's email: elena.tartaglia@gmail.com iNaturalist: https://inaturalist.org/ Jersey Yards: https://www.jerseyyards.org/ Dark Sky Association: https://www.darksky.org/ The Very Hungry Caterpillar*: https://amzn.to/3PMYAJE Nature's Best Hope*: https://amzn.to/3lrao7r Light Pollution and Its Impacts on Birds and Other Wildlife: https://www.backyardecology.net/light-pollution-and-its-impacts-on-birds-and-other-wildlife/ Caterpillar hunting with a UV flashlight: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335025908_Caterpillar_hunting_with_a_UV_flashlight/link/5d4b2c5492851cd046a6f6d6/download * Amazon links are affiliate links. Backyard Ecology links: Website: https://backyardecology.net YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/backyardecology Blog: https://www.backyardecology.net/blog/ Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/backyardecology Make a one-time donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=K7F3HJLJT9F8N Subscribe to Backyard Ecology emails: https://www.backyardecology.net/subscribe/ Episode image: IO moth, Photo credit: lightbed, cc-0