Moth Tour - Why are Moths Important?

A pale yellow moth known as Eucosma metzleri, a moth named after the park’s moth researcher.

Eric Metzler

Quick Facts

Amenities

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Audio Description, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto, Toilet - Vault/Composting, Trailhead, Wheelchair Accessible

White Sands National Park presents a unique opportunity to learn more how life evolves and adapts to harsh and unique environments. Since 2007, Eric Metzler, an expert entomologist and volunteer at White Sands, has discovered over 650 different species of moths in these dunes. Sixty of those species are entirely new to science.
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This moth research is critical because moths are a great indicator of a ecosystems health. The greater the diversity of moths, the greater the diversity of other animal and plant species, therefore the healthier the ecosystem! If moths died out, songbirds would all but disappear.