Reviewed by: Rushing Waters
Moth Week Showdown: Which Alabama research center spotted the most?
Reading time: 4 minutes
National Moth Week was held July 19–27, and two Alabama research centers—the Paint Rock Forest Research Center in Trenton and the UWA Cahaba Biodiversity Center in West Blocton—took part in a friendly competition to see who could observe the most moths.
Keep reading to see who came out on top + what species they saw!
What is Moth Week?
National Moth Week is a global citizen science event held during the last full week of July. It invites everyone to explore the beauty, diversity and ecological role of moths through observation and documentation.
During National Moth week, you can attend events or simply observe moths in your own backyard.
“Moths are a glimpse into how diverse the world really is and how little we know about it. Who would have thought you could set up a sheet and a light in front of your house and capture 100 different kinds of moths or more in a single night?”
Bill Finch, Founder + Executive Director of Paint Rock Forest Research Center
Check out these stats from iNaturalist’s National Moth Week 2025: Alabama page:
- Total observations: 9,462
- Most observed species: Black-bordered Lemon Moth + Imperial Moth
Jeff Garner recorded the most moth observations in Alabama with a remarkable 1,676. An author and biologist, Garner also led the Paint Rock moth event and participated in the Cahaba Biodiversity Center’s event.
The winning results
On Friday, July 25, the UWA Cahaba Biodiversity Center set up their sheets and UV Blacklights to attract as many moths as they could. We had the opportunity to join and enjoyed a BBQ with the 16 observers that were in attendance.
The night concluded with an impressive 309 moth species spotted and 1,951 total observations. The Imperial Moth stood out as the most frequently observed moth, with 29 sightings recorded.
Want to see the rest of the incredible species they found? Some have colors and patterns that you won’t believe! Head over to their UWA CBC Moth Week 2025 page on iNaturalist for more.
On Wednesday, July 23, Paint Rock Forest Research Center began the friendly competition with their sheets and UV Blacklights. It was a smaller scale event, with three observers in attendance.
They wrapped up the night with an equally impressive 212 moth species identified and over 400 total observations—many of them remarkably beautiful.
Next year, they plan on having even more observers!
Here are some fun titles they gave to the different species they spotted:
- Prettiest: Imperial Moth
- Fuzziest: White Flannel Moth
- Best disguised: Beautiful Wood Nymph
- Cutest: Rosy Maple Moth
- Rarest: Brown-collared Dart
So, who won? The moths! These fascinating and beautiful insects deserve our appreciation—they play a vital role in our ecosystems and have a unique way of bringing people together through a shared love of nature, especially during Moth Week.
About the Cahaba Biodiversity Center + Paint Rock Forest Research Center
The Cahaba Biodiversity Center, run by the University of West Alabama, supports research in botanical and zoological biodiversity, ecology, archaeology, water quality, conservation land management and more. Its mission is to support discovery and learning while advancing the University’s role as a leader in environmental conservation and education.
The Paint Rock Forest Research Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing forest science and conservation through international collaboration and research into how ecosystems respond to climate change and human impact. The Center is committed to educating and empowering a new, diverse generation of scientists to continue their work.
Discover more about their vital work + find out how you can support their mission:
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