service learning riley g

I want moth surveying/ collecting with Gwen for 5 hours may 27th at Japanese gulch. Since Gwen has never light trapped in this area this was the first time out here so her goal was to trap and identify moths to make an identifier sheet for future students. This trip taught me about the three main types of moths around here geometrids, noctoids, and pyrotigs (I forget the spelling?). I helped set up and carry gear, ¨Identify"different types, and even caught one (photo shown above). 
This provides others with a learning opportunity when before this was not available with someone who knows the correct information and can teach you how to do it correctly.
This provides others with a learning opportunity when before this was not available with someone who knows the correct information and can teach you how to do it correctly. Moths are a large source of food within the local ecosystem and fish will even eat moths if they land on the water by accident. Also by helping others understand moths and other bugs it might help them see the differences and similarities with other organisms in the ocean and see how some things might have evolved. This service learning didn't have a huge impact on the ecosystem but it will aid in its teaching of the local ecosystem. Another important role if a moth is in pollinating, most people don't know the different type of moths too and don't know what they do but with more continued teaching about the moths in this area the clearer their role in our local ecosystem becomes to people who may not know. Before I helped with this service learning I was afraid of moths, still am if they come towards me but i’m better, and I learned about the three main types of moths around here and became more familiar with them and less afraid. Honestly being less afraid of insects is very important because i had no idea they were pollinators I just knew they were coming to eat me to death (Not actually but). It’s surprising they had such an important role in our ecosystem and I think other people need to realize this too, since many people are afraid of bugs they probably don’t know things like this and have no intentions of knowing so it's good to be helped into the idea that bugs aren't deaths flying creatures. Since this project was in its early stages I didn’t know where exactly it was going past identifying moths and then showing them to the public but I’m excited to continue helping it in the future and seeing where it goes.
What type of moths did we catch?
What is the ultimate goal of this project?
How did we get socialized of being afraid of bugs?
Why do you think its so importaant to know the bugs in the surrounding area?