2025 Mothapalooza
Schedule of Events
Rosy Maple, Jim McCormac
FRIDAY
9:30 AM - 6:30 PM - Please Check in at the Forest Museum
Please stop by the Appalachian Forest Museum at the Sanctuary to pick up your name tag for the weekend and check in with our office staff to make sure you have all of your necessary directions. Check-in is open from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. All reference materials you will need for the event will be emailed to you ahead of time, but if you forget to bring them with you, have no fear! We will have extras on hand. You are also welcome to come early in the day if you are able, so that you can enjoy some quiet hiking on the Sanctuary’s 18-mile trails. Our staff will be happy to make recommendations and provide you with a map of the Sanctuary’s trails.
FRIDAY FIELD TRIPS:
2:00 PM - Expanding Tobacco Barn Hollow Preserve by 380 Acres to Help Save the Timber Rattlesnake! Program by John Howard & Andrea Jaeger Meet at Tobacco Barn Hollow to learn about one of only four population centers left in Ohio for this endangered reptile. Timber rattlesnakes are a true icon of wilderness. These shy and retiring creatures are surprisingly forgiving of trespassers, and yet wherever humans and rattlesnakes cross paths, extirpation of the species soon follows. Join us for a fascinating presentation about their life history, the importance of this species in the ecosystem, and how the protection of timber rattlesnakes is intrinsically linked to saving wilderness.
Following John, Andrea will share exciting news about the Arc’s newest land acquisition—an expansion that will nearly double the size of Tobacco Barn Hollow Preserve! This remarkable addition includes two brand new hiking trails, opening up more opportunities for exploration and deeper protection for this unique habitat. If time permits, we’ll close the program with a guided hike on one of these new trails and explore the beauty of Tobacco Barn Hollow.
FOR PEOPLE NEW TO MOTHING AND/OR NEW TO THE HIGHLANDS NATURE SANCTUARY:
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM OPTIONAL - An Arc of Light for Wildlands Preservation in Ohio - The Story of the Arc. If you are new to Arc of Appalachia & the Sanctuary, learn about the Arc and its thirty years of wildlands preservation work in the Appalachian counties of southern Ohio and more recently, in KY and WV. This presentation will help you make the most of your visit to the Highlands Nature Sanctuary as you discover its remarkable natural history, trails, and nearby attractions. Presented by Nancy Stranahan, Director, Arc of Appalachia.
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM OPTIONAL - Mothing for Beginners – 20 Moths Worth Learning! If you are new to the world of mothing, here is a chance to see 20 of some of the most common moths you will see over the weekend. These moths will likely be found at almost every lighting station you come to. Learning them will be an anchor for you as you behold the dazzling and often overwhelming diversity of moths presented to you this weekend.
3:45 PM – 4:15 PM OPTIONAL – Tools & Technology for Identifying Moths. Meet at the Appalachian Forest Museum, where we will split up into small groups and practice using our cell phones to identify moths and caterpillars that we find outdoors and close to the Museum. Please be sure to download on your phone 1) iNaturalist, 2) Seek by iNaturalist, and 3) LEPS by Fieldguide. We will also show you how to confirm the identification of confusing moths on your computer through helpful online resources.
FRIDAY EVENING
*Dinner is not provided on Friday evening. All lodges are equipped with full kitchens, and we will send along local options as well.
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Friday Evening Presentations at the Paxton Theater – be sure to arrive in town no later than 6:45 pm to provide plenty of time for parking and walking to the theater.
2025’s featured moth: This year’s Mothapalooza will be showcasing the Rosy Maple, Dryocampa rubicunda. Its beauty and natural history will be highlighted this year and featured in an original painting by artist Ann Geise.
2025’s “On Their Shoulders” tribute acknowledges the immense contributions of brilliant scientists and artists of earlier times who have furthered our understanding of the ecology of insects. This year’s tribute goes to Kitagawa Utamaro (c. 1753-1806), a Japanese wood block artist who produced a pivotal work, A Picture Book of Selected Insects, which helped popularize naturalism in art and portrayed insects in aesthetic and romantic settings for the first time in Japanese history.
Night Vision: The Art of Photographing Moths: Danae Wolfe, Master Photographer
Step outside on a summer night, and moths are everywhere—fluttering around porch lights, clinging to tree trunks, and silhouetted against the moon’s soft glow. But how often do we truly see them? In this visually immersive talk, macro photographer Danae Wolfe unveils the striking beauty of moths and other insects through a showcase of breathtaking portraits. More than just a display of extraordinary images, this talk asks a bigger question: How does seeing differently change the way we care? Whether you're a lifelong moth-er or simply drawn to nature’s overlooked creatures, this presentation will inspire you to slow down, look closer, and celebrate the art of seeing through a new lens.
Shining a Light on the Hidden World of Caterpillars: Keynote Speaker, Sam Jaffe
Sam Jaffe is the world’s most effective advocate for moths - the result of his combined skills as an advanced researcher, riveting educator, and sublime photographic artist. In 2013, Sam founded The Caterpillar Lab, a non-profit educational pursuit in Marlborough, NH. From this hub, he travels across the country bringing the “Cat Lab” to universities, museums, botanical gardens, nature centers, and schools and sharing insect stories and nourishing public appreciation. He is also writing and illustrating a very in-depth book on the identification and natural history of native caterpillars. Sam gives deep attention, most days of the year to observing, recording, and interpreting his often singular observations of the magical world of caterpillars. Tonight, he will be sharing his latest discoveries with us.
10:00 pm LIGHTS ON! A NIGHT OF MOTHING BEGINS. Choice of one of two destinations:
Main Mothing Headquarters at Highlands Nature Sanctuary. Light stations will be located at several points on Cave Road, with a shuttle to conveniently transport you to the locations. Detailed directions will be emailed prior to the event and will be available at the museum & theater on Friday evening.
Mothing Bioblitz at Tobacco Barn Hollow. A unique conservation opportunity for advanced moth-ers.
We will be hosting an evening mothing bioblitz on the property we are currently fundraising in order to expand the preserve by 380 acres!!. Our goal is to catalog the diversity of moths and other nocturnal insects on-site as part of our ongoing effort to deepen our understanding of the complex forest communities in our Tobacco Barn Hollow preserve and the greater Pike State Forest region. The site is a 20-minute drive from the Forest Museum, and a 14-minute drive from the Paxton Theater on dark and winding country roads. Since we have no way of guaranteeing the mothing will be extraordinary or what species we may observe, and because parking will be limited, we recommend that first-timers to Mothapalooza stick to the stations on Cave Road. Maps to the preserve will be available at the evening presentations.
SATURDAY
8:30 am – 10:00 am Saturday Brunch at the Appalachian Forest Museum
10:00 am - 12:00 pm Sam Jaffe’s Caterpillar Lab, exclusively for Mothapalooza Registrants. See an extraordinary collection of live caterpillars munching on their host plants in the Appalachian Forest Museum
1:00 - 4:00 pm OUTDOOR FIELD TRIPS - As we get closer to the event, you will receive information and a form to communicate your Saturday afternoon preferences.
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Attend Sam Jaffe’s Caterpillar Lab - Public Open House - no registration needed. Sam Jaffe is the founder of Caterpillar Lab, a New Hampshire nonprofit that fosters appreciation and care for the complexity and beauty of the natural world by using the mind-bending, gorgeous creatures we know as caterpillars as a gateway experience. Sam is back in Ohio with his practiced talents of putting together a caterpillar lab “on the road.” Witness his collection of live caterpillars feeding on their native food sources over the weekend, and marvel at their colors and diversity of form. Caterpillars will be returned where they were found at week’s end to continue their metamorphosis.
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm - INDOOR Workshops - As we get closer to the event, you will receive information and a form to communicate your Saturday afternoon preferences.
Raising Caterpillars for Education by Mary Lawrence and Ann Wegman. Discover the wonders of metamorphosis in this hands-on workshop about raising caterpillars for educational purposes. Whether you're an educator, nature enthusiast, or simply curious, this class will guide you through the basics of caring for caterpillars, providing proper food sources, and creating a safe environment for their transformation into butterflies or moths. Learn how to incorporate caterpillar rearing into classrooms, nature programs, or personal learning experiences to inspire curiosity and conservation awareness.
High Magnification, Low Cost: Macro Photography on a Budget with Master Photographer Danae Wolfe. From insects and spiders to snowflakes and flowers, macro photography can reveal surprising details about the natural world. With just a few simple tools and some practice, high-magnification macro photography can be a fun and accessible way to highlight the tiniest details of your garden. In this session, we’ll explore low-cost macro photography setups and techniques, including reverse lenses, extension tubes, and mobile macro tips. Get ready to see the world through an entirely new lens!
Cozy Critters: Crochet & Knit Social - No registration needed. Come unwind at the Appalachian Forest Museum during Cat Lab for a cozy and creative gathering where yarn and friendship intertwine! Bring your own knitting or crocheting project—or just come to chat, relax, and enjoy the company of others. Don’t have a project in the works? Consider bringing yarn, crochet needles, and a pattern to start an adorable, huggable caterpillar—we’re happy to suggest where to find a good one. Whether you're stitching or just sitting, all are welcome!
5:15 pm - 6:00 pm Dinner at the Appalachian Forest Museum. To accommodate our limited parking and seating space, you will be assigned one of two dinner shifts. Please depart from the premises when you finish eating to make space for others.
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Saturday Evening Presentations at the Paxton Theater – be sure to arrive no later than 6:45 pm to provide plenty of time for parking and walking to the theater.
State of the Arc - by Nancy Stranahan, Director of Arc of Appalachia
Nanvy will give a short program about this year’s sowing of MAJOR land acquisitions that, collectively, make up - BY FAR - the largest land campaign the Arc of Appalachia has ever attempted, including a nationally significant project in West Virginia over a thousand acres of size, 380-acre addition to Tobacco Barn Hollow Preserve here in Ohio, and dozens of other projects in Appalachian Ohio.
Wandering Lepidoptera - a film about small creatures with a big message. Presentation by Emma Jonas & Mary Posatko
This presentation will introduce and discuss an upcoming documentary: The Wandering Lepidoptera, a collaborative production by Mary Posatko, Dr. Doug Tallamy, and Emma Jonas. ( the film is currently seeking funding). Caterpillars face a particularly perilous journey during their wandering and pupation phases, both of which are critically dependent on the quality of their immediate environment Picture a caterpillar, for instance, “doing the worm” across a desert of concrete with no refuge in sight! The film invites viewers to shrink to caterpillar size and experience the world through six pairs of eyes as researchers explain caterpillar navigation of hostile residential landscapes, with the intention of creating empathy in the viewer, followed by a desire for action. By reimagining and restoring our residential spaces to be places that are biologically welcoming and sustaining, we can contribute to mending our biodiversity crisis. Note: The research in this presentation was conducted on the ancestral territory of the Lenape People.
10:00 pm LIGHTS ON! A NIGHT OF MOTHING BEGINS. Choice of one of two destinations:
Main Mothing Headquarters at Highlands Nature Sanctuary. Light stations will be located at several points on Cave Road, with a shuttle to conveniently transport you to the locations. Detailed directions will be emailed prior to the event and will be available at the museum & theater on Friday evening.
Mothing Bioblitz at Tobacco Barn Hollow. A unique conservation opportunity for advanced mothers.
We will be hosting an evening mothing bioblitz on the property we are currently fundraising in order to expand the preserve by 380 acres!!. Our goal is to catalog the diversity of moths and other nocturnal insects on-site as part of our ongoing effort to deepen our understanding of the complex forest communities in our Tobacco Barn Hollow preserve and the greater Pike State Forest region. The site is a 20-minute drive from the Forest Museum, and a 14-minute drive from the Paxton Theater on dark and winding country roads. Since we have no way of guaranteeing the mothing will be extraordinary or what species we may observe, and because parking will be limited, we recommend that first-timers to Mothapalooza stick to the stations on Cave Road. Maps to the preserve will be available at the evening presentations.
SUNDAY
8:30 am – 10:00 am Brunch at the Appalachian Forest Museum
CATERPILLAR LAB with Sam Jaffe. Linger after breakfast for a chance to enjoy the learning opportunities offered by Sam Jaffe and his intriguing caterpillar stories told with the assistance of living caterpillars.