Explore the dark mothing event at Tandy Hills Natural Area

Explore the dark mothing event at Tandy Hills Natural Area

Published on September 08, 2024

Ever wondered which mysterious creatures come alive under the cover of darkness?

On Aug. 10, the Park & Recreation Department's natural resource assistant interns uncovered the secrets of the night at Tandy Hills Natural Area; a 160-acre native prairie site. Thanks to a partnership with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area and Native Prairies Association of Texas, the interns hosted a captivating evening for 112 curious visitors, monitoring several mothing stations and shed light on the nocturnal wonders around them.

This family-friendly event wasn't just about meeting new people - it was a celebration of the intricate connection between the night sky, green spaces and the astonishing variety of wildlife that thrives after sundown.

What the interns discovered

Moths are more than just nighttime flutterers; they play a crucial role as pollinators, occupying a nocturnal niche that complements daytime pollinators like butterflies, bees and wasps. These nighttime insects are also a vital part of the food chain.

In an area of just under 2 acres, nearly 200 species were documented using nothing more than the iNaturalist app and some dark lights. Highlights included two bat species, a dazzling array of colorful, intricately patterned moths and even glowing scorpions. Some brave visitors even held the scorpions - incident-free!

Here's the breakdown:

• 156 species of insects
• 10 species of arachnids
• 24 species of plants
• 1 reptile
• 1 bird
• 2 bats
• 1 rabbit

Surprising facts: Did you know that bug zappers aren't effective against mosquitoes? Mosquitoes are drawn to the carbon dioxide we exhale, not light. Bug zappers actually target and kill beneficial nighttime pollinators like moths and beetles, which rely on natural light from the stars and moon to navigate. These insects are crucial to the food web, supporting birds, bats, amphibians, reptiles and other insects.

A glimpse of the night sky: After learning about the fascinating ways insects navigate using nocturnal light, visitors eagerly made their way to the telescope station hosted by Fort Worth Astronomical Society. They were treated to breathtaking views of Saturn, one of its moons, and even a distant glimpse of Neptune.

Grant-funded initiative: The invaluable work of the natural resource assistants was made possible by a grant from the North Texas Community Foundation thanks to a collaboration between the City's Open Space Conservation Program and Park & Recreation Department.

Photo:Some of the amazing species found living in our native prairie.

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Tagged as:

• Environment