Date: September 10, 2024

Time: 2:00 p.m.

Location: Polk County Public Libraries, Saluda Branch

Speaker: Sharon Mammoser, naturalist, photographer, and writer

When many people think about moths, they probably don’t consider them beautiful, very diverse,  or worthy of protecting. But guess what? Moths outnumber butterflies TEN to one! Worldwide there are more than 160,000 species of moths and about 17,500 of butterflies. Moths and their caterpillars are the foundation of the food chain, especially appealing to songbird parents who must feed their growing chicks. The diversity is shocking, as are the colors, shapes and adaptations. There are moths with fake eyes, moths with perfect camouflage hiding secret colors, moths that mimic other insects, moths with long tails meant to outsmart bats, moths that sleep in flowers, moths with long proboscises that can reach deep into the nectary of flowers, and moths with antennae so perfect you’d swear they were feathers. There are yellow and pink moths, delicate green moths, and moths with intricate designs that look hand-painted.

In this program we get an introduction to the amazing world of moths, including a chance to see and learn about some of our more amazing local moths. We’ll also learn about their important place in the food web and how we can make our yards and outdoor spaces more moth friendly.

Nature is what nourishes Sharon’s soul and makes her heart sing with joy. After a childhood full of time spent exploring the wild lands around her home in western New York state, she went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY at New Paltz. For many years, Sharon shared nature with people of all ages in Minnesota, Michigan, Rhode Island, Colorado, and New York. In 2008, she thru-hiked the 2175 mile Appalachian Trail, an event that prompted her to move to western North Carolina, which she now calls home. These days, Sharon is focused on educating people about the plants and animals in their yards and how they can make their outdoor spaces more welcoming and beneficial to wildlife large and small.

The Saluda Library Speaker Series programs are made possible thanks to our partnership with the Polk County Public Libraries Systems and a grant from the Polk County Community Foundation.

Contact Pam Torlina, [email protected], with questions or for more information.