When we think of pollinators, bees and butterflies usually steal the spotlight. Their bright colors, busy buzzing, and gentle fluttering make them garden favorites. But just as the sun sets and the garden quiets down, another important pollinator goes to work: the moth.
Moths Are the Unsung Heroes of Pollination
Moths don’t always get the love they deserve, but their role in plant reproduction is enormous. In fact, on a global scale, there are twice as many species of pollinating moths as there are bees, and six times as many pollinating moth species as butterflies. That’s a remarkable statistic that shifts how we should think about these often-overlooked insects.
Unlike bees or butterflies that may pick up most of the attention during the day, moths are often active in the evening and night, visiting flowers while the rest of us are winding down. And while many moths are nocturnal, some are day-flying and can be seen flitting around flowers during daylight hours. Think of hummingbird moths and hawk moths—big, beautiful, and busy at blossoms. But the majority of moths? They’re small, secretive, and easy to miss. Still, they play an incredibly efficient role in pollination thanks to one key trait: they’re fuzzy.
That soft, hairy body isn’t just for show. It helps moths pick up and transfer pollen more effectively than many other pollinators, including butterflies. So even when they’re not trying to pollinate, they do it naturally as they forage for nectar.
The Moth Life Cycle: Why It Matters for Your Garden
Supporting moths means more than just planting nectar flowers. To truly help these insects, it’s important to provide for their entire life cycle:
- Eggs: Typically laid on or near host plants.
- Larvae (caterpillars): These are the primary feeding stage, often eating the leaves of very specific plants.
- Pupae: Many moths pupate in the soil or leaf litter, so avoiding too much cleanup can actually help them.
- Adults: Nectar is their main source of energy, especially for the flying moths we see visiting flowers.
Interestingly, moth caterpillars are a vital food source for songbirds, and adult moths help feed bats. So by welcoming moths, you’re not just helping pollination—you’re supporting an entire food web in your garden.
And here’s a fun fact to dispel a common myth: of the 160,000 known species of moths, only ONE — the common clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella) — actually eats fabric. The rest? They’re focused on flowers, not sweaters.
Creating a Moth-Friendly Garden in Asheville, NC
Here in Western North Carolina, we’re blessed with rich biodiversity and a climate that supports a wide range of native plants. That means we have a great opportunity to support moths throughout their life cycles with intentional planting.
Here are some things to keep in mind when planting for moths:
- Include nectar-rich flowers that bloom at dusk or open at night.
- Choose plants with strong fragrance, which moths use to find flowers in the dark.
- Don’t forget native host plants for caterpillars.
- Avoid heavy pesticide use, especially broad-spectrum insecticides.
Here are a few plant ideas tailored for moth attraction in the Asheville area:
Nectar Plants for Adult Moths
- Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata): Especially varieties with white or light-colored flowers, which reflect moonlight and attract nighttime visitors.
- Moonflower or jimsonweed (Datura spp.): Large, trumpet-shaped blooms that open in the evening and give off a heady scent.
- Flowering tobacco (Nicotiana alata): Another evening bloomer with a sweet scent moths love.
- Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens): A native honeysuckle that attracts both day- and night-flying moths.
- Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.): Though many bloom during the day, some varieties open in the late afternoon.
Host Plants for Moth Caterpillars
- Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.): Host plants for some moths as well as butterflies like the monarch.
- New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus): Supports multiple moth species.
- Oaks (Quercus spp.): A powerhouse tree that hosts hundreds of moth (and butterfly) caterpillar species.
- Black cherry: (Prunus serotina): Another native tree essential for supporting larval stages.
- Goldenrod (Solidago spp.): Offers both nectar for adults and support for caterpillars.
Evening-Blooming Favorites
- Four o’clocks (Mirabilis jalapa): Open in late afternoon and attract both moths and butterflies.
- Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis): Opens at night and is a magnet for night pollinators.
Habitat Tips for Supporting Moths
Leave the leaves: Allow leaf litter to remain in some garden areas over winter to give caterpillars and pupae a place to shelter.
Light carefully: Avoid overly bright garden lighting, which can disorient or deter nocturnal moths.
Go native: Native plants are more likely to support local moth species at all life stages.
Skip the tidy: A less-manicured garden with a variety of textures, heights, and plant types will naturally support more biodiversity, including moths.
Did You Know… Fun Moth Facts
- Hummingbird moths (Hemaris spp.) are often mistaken for tiny hummingbirds because of their hovering flight and fuzzy bodies.
- Some moths can smell flower scents from several miles away.
- Moths have been around for millions of years, evolving alongside the plants they pollinate.
- Moths are also important agricultural pollinators for crops like cacao, which gives us chocolate!
Moths Are More Than Night Visitors
It’s time to start giving moths the credit they deserve. They’re not just fluttering around in the shadows; they’re essential, active pollinators that help our gardens grow and our ecosystems thrive.
By planting with moths in mind, you’re helping support a diverse and resilient garden environment in Asheville and beyond. Plus, you get to enjoy the added beauty and wonder of these fascinating insects, even if it takes a flashlight and a little nighttime stroll to see them in action.
So this season, plant a few flowers for the night shift. The moths will thank you, and your garden will, too.
