The 2025 Cambridge Moth Ball will include costumes, art, activities, science, and, of course, moths and moth ID. Expect short presentations by local conservation organizations as well as moth traps and photography—all under the stars. Try your hand at taking some moth photos. Learn to ID a moth and submit your data to researchers.
Bring a chair, some bug spray, and a snack, and enjoy a summer night out under the stars.
Cara Giaimo, Author of Atlas Obscura Wildlife
WANT TO VOLUNTEER? Email us at hello@bostonbirdingfestival.org or, even better, complete this form.
Mass Moths
Bug Guide
Mothing in Massachusetts
Tom Murrray’s Moths Page
Insect ID (Massachusetts Moths)
We had so much fun last year that we’re planning to bring the Moth Ball back for a second year. If you’re interested in getting involved in planning this year’s community event or if you have ideas you just want to share, please let us know! Thank you.
As part of this year’s National Moth Week, come join us as we explore moths up close and share the data and photos we collect with researchers. We’re especially focused on finding micro-moths this year.
If you are interested in insects, butterflies, moths, or the wildlife of Cambridge, or if you like nature or nighttime, this event is for you. Photographers interested in creative moth portraits and conservation photography are especially encouraged to attend.
No previous mothing experience is required! Bring your picnic and carry out, and recycle your trash. The moths will thank you!
Learn more about National Moth Week and become a community scientist.
Family-friendly. Children with an Adult +1 or more are very welcome. There are portapotties and water bottle filling stations on site. Limited parking is available on site and nearby. Public transportation is encouraged!
Mothical or Mystical. Will there be a red carpet? Closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended.
In Massachusetts, there are about 3,000 species of moths, compared to about 100 species of butterflies. But moths, like butterflies, are experiencing rapid population declines. Moths play a critical role in the health of the environment, as food for birds and mammals, and as pollinators of thousands of woodland tree and plant species.
If moth populations and diversity continue to decline, their loss would devastate bird and mammal populations as well as forest lifecycles. The consequences would include a rapid increase in global warming.
The more we know about moths, the more we can learn to protect them—and what each of us can do to protect them. As part of this event, we’ll be sharing data with several scientific databases for researchers.
See you out there!