National Moth Week shines the porch light on an unlikely hero. Unlike their showier cousins, butterflies, moths get a bad rap from time to time, and that’s fair, as caterpillars of some moth species are agricultural pests. But before you break out the mothballs, take a gander at winged wonders like the comet moth, shown here. Scientists estimate that there are some 160,000 species of moths worldwide, many just as stunning as our comet moth, and tracking their health often helps us gauge the health of entire ecosystems.
And you thought moths were boring
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
-
Exploring the wilder side of New York
-
It s only Wednesday
-
Hanging out on a limb
-
Happy Pi Day!
-
Bonifacio on the island of Corsica, France
-
Think deep thoughts
-
International Surfing Day
-
Lizard of mystery
-
World Whale Day
-
Under Parisian skies
-
Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch on the institution s 175th anniversary
-
A Carpathian Christmas celebration
-
Terraced rice fields, Yuanyang County, China
-
Where is this gorgeous peak?
-
Juniper Springs, Florida
-
One giant leap for penguins
-
Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel in Arkansas
-
Mapping courage in the Seventh Ward
-
I am the walrus
-
Bird s-eye view on World Environment Day
-
Patriot Day
-
It s Mountain Day in Japan
-
The Kelpies statues in Falkirk, Scotland
-
Put your helmet on, we’re going for a hike
-
Happy Syttende Mai!
-
World Rivers Day
-
Presidents Day in America’s front yard
-
Happy Independence Day!
-
A treaty for science
-
An uncommon look at an American icon