National Moth Week runs July 17–25, 2027, nine summer nights for turning on a porch light and seeing who shows up. Anyone can take part, and every photo helps scientists map where moths live.
Nine Days in Late July
Every year, for nine days ending on the last Sunday of July. In 2026 it ran July 18 to 26, and back in 2013 it ran July 20 to 28.
The span covers two weekends on purpose. Organizers say it makes events easier to plan and keeps the timing steady from year to year.
Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission, a New Jersey nonprofit, founded the week in 2012 and still runs it.
From a Butterfly Park to the World
Its roots are local. In 2006, members of the Friends group began hosting moth nights at East Brunswick’s 11-acre butterfly park.
Two Rutgers scientists were behind those nights, NJ Monthly reported. David Moskowitz was a wildlife specialist studying entomology, and Liti Haramaty worked at the university’s marine and coastal institute.
People who had never paid attention to moths were “wowed,” the magazine wrote. The nights grew into a national week in 2012.
It soon went global. Registered events now take place in all 50 states and dozens of countries, from city parks to backyards.
Each year brings a theme. For 2026 it was “Moths in Art,” with people sharing moth artwork online under #MothWeek26Art.
Why Moths Deserve a Week
Moths outnumber butterflies by a wide margin. There are about 160,000 moth species worldwide compared with roughly 17,500 butterfly species, the Smithsonian says.
America alone has nearly 11,000 kinds of moths, against about 750 butterflies. New Jersey has more than 3,000 moth species, and Illinois about 1,850.
They come in every size. Moths range from a pinhead to an adult’s hand. The giant silk moth family, with about 1,000 species, holds the largest of them.
Ecosystems need them. Moths are important pollinators and a major food source for birds and bats, National Moth Week’s 2026 release notes.
Nighttime is their shift. Most moths fly after dark to sip nectar from flowers, the Smithsonian says, which is why they’re easy to miss.
Big moths draw crowds. The sphinx moth family has about 1,000 species, most with streamlined wings and sturdy bodies.
Science gains from every sighting. Photos shared through iNaturalist and Project Noah help researchers learn where species live and when they fly.
Telling them from butterflies is easy once you know the trick. Butterflies have club-tipped antennae, while a moth’s are often threadlike or feathery, the Smithsonian explains.
Gaps in knowledge remain. Scientists still don’t know as much as they’d like about moth species, ranges and seasons, NJ Monthly reported. That’s where backyard watchers come in.
How to Go Mothing
Mothing can be as simple as leaving an outdoor light on and checking nearby surfaces after dark, the organizers say.
- Hang a white sheet near a porch light and check it every hour after dusk.
- Photograph what lands and upload the pictures to iNaturalist.
- Find a registered moth night near you on the National Moth Week map.
- Plant native flowers that bloom in the evening to feed night pollinators.
- Draw or paint a moth you spot, in the spirit of the 2026 art theme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need special equipment to watch moths?
No. A light, a sheet and a phone camera are enough.
Are moths only active at night?
Most fly after dark, but many species feed at flowers during the day.
Is National Moth Week only in the United States?
Not at all. Events happen around the world.