Host a Moth Ball

Some insects are more active at night, including most species of moths. This activity can be done almost anywhere there are trees that you can visit after dark and during the day.

You will need:

• Sugar or molasses
• Real fruit juice
• Spoiled, mashed fruit
• A bowl and spoon
• A paintbrush
• A flashlight

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Mix the sugar, juice and fruit in the bowl. 
2. Late in the day paint the mixture on the trunk of one or two trees.
3. Return to the painted trees later when it’s dark. Use your flashlight to see who has flown in.
4. Go out again in about half an hour and see who else has come by.
5. You can look at the tree trunks again in the daylight to see what other types of insects have come by to your moth ball.
6. Use your Bug Scavenger Hunt from the Nature Heroes activity 9 to see if you can identify some of the insects that have been attracted to your “paint”.
7. It is best to look at the insects and not to touch them. A moth’s wings are made up of thousands of tiny scales that are easily damaged by our fingers.

How can you tell a moth from a butterfly?

See the key for the answer.

Track your progress and results in the Nature Heroes Activity Book to be sent a personalized Nature Heroes Certificate! Download the book with all 11 nature activities at naturealberta.ca/nature-kids!