General Meeting: What About Moths

Join us at the April 13 program for Mat Seidensticker’s fascinating presentation about his moth-related research on MPG Ranch and ground-breaking Montana Moth Project. We will learn about moth natural history, moth identification, the similarities between “mothing” and “birding,” and some of the challenges moths face.

For many of us, moths are simply dull, brown insects that flutter around porch lights on hot summer nights, or pests that cause damage to vegetation and clothes. Indeed, some moths are dull, and a small percentage are considered pests. However, moths are also incredibly diverse, outnumbering butterflies 9-to-1 and exhibiting myriad sizes, shapes, colors, and wing patterns. They are also ubiquitous herbivores, pollinators, and prey, serving as effective bio-indicators of environmental health in terrestrial ecosystems.  

Mat Seidensticker is a wildlife researcher and Executive Director of Northern Rockies Research & Educational Services (NRRES). He has broad interests in wildlife research and natural history, holding degrees in Wildlife Biology (B.Sc., 2000) and Environmental Studies (M.Sc., 2011) from the University of Montana. 

Mat’s passion for moths and other insects grew out of his extensive field experience studying owls and other nocturnal birds with the Owl Research Institute and MPG Ranch. This passion eventually led him to establish Northern Rockies Research & Educational Services in 2019 to advance scientific research and monitoring of moths and other insects.

For those coming to the meeting in person, we’ll meet in Room 26 of the Gateway Mall (United Way building) at 7pm. This room is on the east side of the building along Glenwood Drive in Kalispell. Look for our banner outside.

For those joining virtually, when you use the link, you will eventually be let into a “waiting room” where you will then be added to the meeting by the host. Please sign in with your name when you enter the room so we know to admit you. You will be muted when you first join the meeting. You can use your computer’s microphone and speakers (most computers have both), and this is the preferred way to join. You can also get an audio connection to the meeting without the Zoom visual capability by using your phone.

For information on how to attend by Zoom, or how to get an audio connection by phone, contact info@flatheadaudubon.org