When you think of pollination, you often think of butterflies or bees flying around your garden. While these insects are important to flowers and our food supplies, new research shows just how much plants and crops rely on insects that fly at night for pollination.

Most flowering plants count on pollinators for reproduction. Recent years have seen a dramatic drop in pollinator populations. The factors behind the loss have been linked to habitat loss, pesticides and climate change. Research estimates 3-5% of fruit; nut and vegetable crop production is lost globally due to inadequate pollination.

A recent study at the University of Sussex, UK, discovered moths are more efficient pollinators than bees. The team studied both daytime and nocturnal pollinator visits. They discovered that while 83% of all pollinator visits occur during the day (with 17% at night), it also found moths were able to pollinate flowers more quickly than daytime insects!

The reason nocturnal moths are more efficient pollinators is that moths collect so much static electricity while in flight that pollen is pulled through the air to them. The researchers noted that moths do not need to touch flowers in order to pollinate them. The pollen is pulled across the air gaps as the moths fly several millimeters or even centimeters above.

The researchers concluded nocturnal pollination is understudied. As moths have been shown to transport pollen from a wide variety of plant species, further research is needed to fully appreciate the role they and other nocturnal insects play.

To understand just the important role moths play in pollination, the University of Sheffield, UK, found moths account for a third of all urban pollination. However, a lack of native plant species and diversity of plant life in cities, coupled with scent-stifling air pollution, is still leaving moths struggling to find their next meal.

And finally, experts are warning of an “alarming” global decline in moth population and diversity.

In general, most moths have feathery antennae. At rest, their wings are often folded flat across their backs. Their bodies tend to be plumper and sometimes look furry. Moths fly at night and during twilight hours. In general they are very short-lived, with some only lasting a few days.

To highlight the importance of moths as pollinators, TLCNP has held two evening moth roundups. Below is a list of nocturnal critters (moths and beetles) that were seen those evenings.

Black-bordered Lemon Moth

(Marimatha nigrofimbria), wingspan: 10-12mm. This small Glyph moth is common and can be seen from Texas to New York. Host plants: Crabgrass and Morning Glory. Seen at TLCNP in April 2025.

Bluegrass Webworm Moth

(Parapediasia teterrellus), wingspan: 21 mm. The larvae feed on native and Bermuda grasses. Adults are on wing from May to October in two generations per year. This moth can be found from New England to Florida and as far west as New Mexico. It likes lawns, golf courses, grassy areas in general. Seen at TLCNP in November 2024.

Common Idia Moth

(Idia aemula) wingspan: 20-30 mm. This medium sized, delta shaped, litter moth is found from Texas to Canada. On wing from April to November. Feeds on dead leaves, fungi and other organic matter. Seen at TLCNP in April 2025.

Dark Sod Webworm moth

(Herpetogramma phaeopteralis), wingspan: 18 mm. This species can be found from Texas to Colorado. They have a snout-like projection on the head. When disturbed they fly short distances in a zigzag pattern. They are usually seen in the early morning hours flying over dark-green healthy grass. Seen at TLCNP in November 2024.

Eight-Spot Moth

(Amyna axis), wingspan: 20-25 mm. This moth is a species of owlet moth that is found in southern North America, from Florida to Arizona. It migrates north to Canada in late summer and fall.

The larvae feed on several types of perennial plants, hibiscus, sunflowers and hackberries. Adults are on wing from August to October. Seen at TLCNP in November 2024.

Green Cutworm Moth

(Anicla infecta), wingspan 30-35 mm. can be found from Texas to Northeastern North America. Can be found taking nectar from flowers during daylight hours. Hosts include: beet, clover, grases and tobacco. Seen at TLCNP in April 2025.

Georgia Archips Moth

(Archips georgianus), wingspan: 15-22 mm. They can be found from Texas to New Jersey. Host plants include: blueberry bushes, hickory trees and oak trees. Adults on wing from May to August. Seen at TLCNP in April 2025.

Juniper Budworm Moth

(Cudonigera houstonana), wingspan: 20 mm. Can be found from Texas to New Jersey. Larvae feed on tips of cedar trees, construct silken tubes, and pupate in their feeding shelters. Adults have been recorded on wing from April to November. Seen at TLCNP in April 2025.

Nigrita Bagworm Moth

(Cryptothelea Nigrita), wingspan: 16 mm. This moth’s antennal sensory hairs are erect and very distinguishing. Found from Texas to Florida. This moth feeds on evergreen foliage and buds. See at TLCNP in April 2025.

Orange-spotted Idia

(Idia dimiunendis), wingspan: 16 mm. This delta shaped, litter moth is found from Texas to Nova Scotia. Seen at TLCNP in April 2025.

Pannaria Wave Moth

(Leptostales pannaria), wingspan: 18 mm. Wave moths are usually small to medium-sized and rest with wings flat and spread wide. Host plants: black-eyed pea and other native legumes. Seen at TLCNP in April 2025.

Smoky Tetanolita Moth

(Tetnolita mynesalis), wingspan 20-25 mm. This delta shaped, litter moth can be found from Texas to New York. Host plant is dead leaves. Seen at TLCNP in April 2025.

Southern Pine coneworm Moth

(Doryctria amatella ), wingspan: 27-32 MM. Common in North America wherever pine trees grow. Feeds on various parts of pine trees. Considered a pest in Southeastern US. Seen at TLCNP in April 2025.

subterranean dart moth

(Feltia subterranea), wingspan: 38-44 mm. It is common to both South and North America, from Mexico to Massachusetts. Migrates annually with no know hosts. The larvae feed on a wide range of plants. Seen at TLCNP in April 2025.

Texas Grass Tubeworm Moth

(Acrolophus Texanella), wingspan 20 mm. Can be found from Texas to Maryland. Adults fly from April to October. Seen at TLCNP in April 2025.

Twirler Moth

A family of moths with a wingspan: 10-20 mm. They are small moths with narrow, fringed wings. They can be often found resting on the ground or spinning in circles on leaf surfaces. The larvae of most species feed internally on various parts of their host plants, sometimes causing galls. The adults take flight year round. This moth can be found from Texas to Florida. Seen at TLCNP in November 2024.

Dirt-colored Seed Bug

This is a common name for over 2,100 small bugs. These can be found in North, Central and South America. They are very common in the Southern United States. They can be easily identified by the white triangle in the middle of their wings. They generally feed on seeds from a wide variety of plants.

They are often called true bugs. True Bugs are insects that have two pairs of wings, an outer pair and inner pair. The outer wing covers are held over the back and often partly folded. True bugs have hypodermic-needle-like mouthparts that allow them to extract subsurface fluids from plants and animals. True Bugs undergo incomplete metamorphosis, with their young looking similar to adults, but without wings. Seen at TLCNP in November 2024.

Punctiforme Harp Ground Beetle

(Agonum punctiforme), length: 8 mm. This nocturnal beetle is common in the US and can be found from California to Florida. The wing coverings are striated. Seen at TLCNP in April 2025.

Rain Click Beetle

This small beetle is a rare find. It can be found in eastern and southern Texas. It likes to swarm after a rain. The swarming period is always late in the year, Oct-Dec. Seen at TLCNP in November 2024.

Rustic Borer Beetle

(Xylotrechus colonus), wingspan 22 mm. The wing coverings have bands of gray and black. Can be found in Texas and most US states north and east of Texas. The larvae of this beetle feed on the sapwood of oaks and the adults adults feed on the nectar of goldenrod. Seen at TLCNP in April 2025.

Twenty-spotted Lady Beetle

(Psyllobora vigintimaculata), 2-3 mm in length. Common to most North America, except Florida. They can be found on any plants that are infected with mildews (especially powdery mildew), from ground level to tree canopies. Seen at TLCNP in April 2025.