The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science is encouraging residents to take a closer look at moths and the important role they play in the environment during National Moth Week.
Moths serve as pollinators, provide food for wildlife and help recycle nutrients into the soil, according to the museum.
Moths and their caterpillars are an important food source for birds, bats and other animals. The museum noted that a pair of Carolina chickadees can gather between 6,000 and 9,000 caterpillars in just over two weeks while raising their young.
The colors and patterns on a moth’s wings are created by hundreds of thousands of tiny scales and pores, giving each species a distinct appearance.
Some adult moths do not eat, while others feed on flower nectar and help pollinate plants. Certain species also consume tree sap, rotting fruit, animal waste and other organic material.
The museum is encouraging people to look for moths outside after sunset or near porch lights. During the day, moths may be found resting on leaves, tree trunks and walls.