7 surprising facts about Alabama’s magnificent moths + how to protect them

Many of us only think of moths as those pesky creatures that try to eat up our wool sweaters and silk scarves. But would you believe that moths of every shape, size and color can be found in the great Alabama outdoors?

Ahead of National Moth Week (July 19-27), here are some facts you may not have known about these insects—plus, how and why they need to be protected—from Jefferson County Greenways.

1. Moths are often compared to butterflies (which are beautiful in their own right) but while Alabama has 150 species of butterflies, there are over 1,000 species of moths to explore in the state.

2. They live life on fast forward. Many moths have incredibly short life cycles, transforming from egg to adult in just a few months.
Two of Jefferson County Greenways’ favorite moths, the Luna Moth (Actias luna) and the Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis), get to be adult moths for just two weeks—they don’t even have a digestive system!

3. Populations of moths are declining across the South, particularly in urban areas, a 2024 study found. But believe it or not, there are measures you can take in your own backyard that will help protect moths.

4. Pesticides are often used to do away with bugs we tend to hate, like wasps and mosquitos, but they also harm the insects that you might enjoy seeing around your home, like moths and butterflies.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a handy list of pesticides that don’t harm pollinators.

5. We’ve all seen that lamp outside with dozens of moths flocking around it, but did you know moths rely on moonlight to reproduce? When outdoor lights are kept on all night, moths have trouble finding potential mates.

You don’t have to do away with the light entirely if you want to help moths. Switch to lower-voltage, warm/red-colored lights that are motion activated to have an impact on the local moth populations.

6. Moths and butterflies tend to be picky eaters, and they like to lay their eggs on very specific species of plants. Bring natural beauty to your yard and garden by planting native species. Learn about some beautiful, native flowering plants here.

Tip: For all of you backyard bird watchers, this is also a great way to attract different birds.

7. It might be tempting to rake up all those leaves as soon as they fall in autumn, but many insects—including moths and fireflies—lay eggs on dead leaves.

To add insult to injury, when those leaves are raked and bagged up, that means all those insects are hitching a ride straight to the landfill. If you hate the look of a brown leaf-covered lawn or are worried about your grass, you can still rake every once in a while—just be mindful of the valuable habitat that the leaves provide.

Now you’re ready to celebrate National Moth Week

Environmental groups around the state and country are celebrating these fuzzy insects, including Birmingham’s own Jefferson County Greenways, from July 19 to 27. 

To meet up with other moth enthusiasts or learn more about them, get ready for Moth Night at Ruffner Mountain, taking place July 25. Entry is just $5 for non-members, and it’s free for members.

Tap here to register for this event and explore other events from Jefferson County Greenways. ‍

Let us know what you’re doing to protect moths and other pollinators by tagging us @bhamnow!