National Moth Week is a unique opportunity to become a Citizen Scientist and contribute scientific data about moths. Through partnerships with major online biological data depositories, National Moth Week participants can help map moth distribution. Part of the Lepidoptera order of insects, moths are among the most diverse and successful organisms on earth, with an estimated diversity of 500,000 species globally. It is an opportunity for everyone, from wherever they are, to observe this extraordinarily diverse group of insects and support their documentation.
Image credits:
Pritha Dey
Year of Initiation:
2011
Project Coordinator:
Pritha Dey
E-mail Address:
Role in the project:
Country Coordinator, India
Institutional Affiliation:
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
Taxa:
Moths
Status:
Periodically active
No. of participants:
Above 1000
Geographical spread of project:
ALL INDIA
Run through an umbrella platform:
India Biodiversity Portal, Biodiversity Atlas - India, iNaturalist
Purpose of the project:
This annual event held towards the end of July every year is a call to people around the world to learn and observe moths around them. Individuals and organizations are invited to register private and public moth-ing and educational events for free on the NMW website. No equipment needed, just turn on the light on your porch and contribute to the worldwide citizen-science project!
Coordinating institution/organisation:
National Moth Week-global
Location of the coordinating institution/organisation(s):
United States of America
Data availability:
Available upon request, without a fee
Participation in language other than English:
No
Appropriate age groups of participants:
All age groups
Citizen participation through:
Website, Mobile application
Why should people participate:
It is a unique opportunity to document one of the most diverse groups of insects, which are poorly studied from India, right in your backyard! Participants do not need any equipment. By taking part, the participants can help in mapping the distribution of different species of moths, which forms long-term monitoring data through which we might understand the impacts of climate change, urbanization, pollution on the native populations.
Prior knowledge or expertise required:
No prior knowledge or expertise on moth taxonomy or biology is required to participate. Flyers are distributed, workshops and sessions are organized in English and regional languages to help in the documentation process.