Moths have been described as “butterflies, but with a bad reputation.” Several moth species are pests – who can love the spongy (gypsy) moth or the tent caterpillar? And it is annoying to be standing outside under an overhead light and have a moth buzzing near your head. But who wouldn’t love to see a beautiful green luna moth, as big as your hand, resting on a tree trunk during the day? And have you ever wondered how moths find a mate in the dark, or why moths come to light? There is so much to learn -- 1 in 10 of all living species on the planet is a moth, and every year my moth-er friends and I find species new to Waterloo Region, new to the province and even new to Canada. Moths are all around us, and I hope to bring you into their exciting world.

Alan is a retired professor of accounting from the University of Waterloo. As a side gig, he’s been fascinated by moths and butterflies since he was a teenager. Alan is the vice-president of the Toronto Entomologists’ Association. He has been recognized by the Entomological Society of Canada for outstanding contributions as a non-professional entomologist. He has also received an award from Ontario Nature for creating web-based atlases of butterflies and reptiles & amphibians. His moth activities are centred around iNaturalist, having recorded almost 1,000 species of moths in Waterloo Region and many others in Essex and Bruce counties.