Moths are crucial pollinators that are often overlooked. Because they are largely nocturnal, many people are less familiar with moths than they are with butterflies. Amazingly, there are over 160,000 known species of moths in the world, compared to less than 18,000 species of butterflies. In an effort to shed light on the local Lepidoptera kingdom, Firehouse Art Center’s Summer Artist-in-Residence Erica Podwoiski invites you to Mothapalooza (24)!

This outdoor nighttime celebration welcomes curious folks (ages 8 and up) to gather, appreciate, and observe moths in a biodiverse setting. From 8-10 PM, UV lights and simple moth-ing stations will be set up for visitors to view. At Sunflower Farm in Longmont, a variety of pollinator-friendly crops, fruit trees, and flowers are likely to attract a universe of moths. Acting as citizen scientists, attendees will be encouraged to document their findings and share their images with Scientific databases like iNaturalist and BAMONA. Moth-related activities will highlight the critical roles that they play in our ecosystems. Headlamps and flashlights are strongly encouraged along with costumes fit for a mothball!