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    Visitors enjoy the annual Moth Ball in Athol, held on Saturday, July 19, at the home of David Small.
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    The blinded sphinx moth was among the many different species seen at the Moth Ball in Athol on Saturday.
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    The skiff moth was among the many different species seen at the Moth Ball in Athol on Saturday.

ATHOL – Some 65 people from around Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire gathered at the home of Athol resident David Small this past Saturday night to participate in the annual Moth Ball.

“This is about our 15th year,” Small said. :We were doing this in June, and then when National Moth Week started – I’m on their science advisory committee – I moved it [Moth Ball] to the first day of National Moth Week.”

Small said about 30 people showed up to the first event held in Athol, and he estimates that attendance has doubled over the years.

“You can’t go to too many houses and find people in two different rooms talking about moths and bot flies,” he added with a chuckle. “We’re a different bunch. People come from all over southern New England.”

This is the 10th year for the official, worldwide Moth Week, which was initiated by Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission in New Jersey. According to the National Moth Week website, 170,000 people in 80 countries took part in observations around the globe in 2024. Other public events in Massachusetts this week are scheduled in Springfield, Sudbury, Cambridge, Plymouth and Chatham

Folks showing up at Small’s Pleasant Street home Saturday night found three observation areas set up in his back yard. White sheets mounted on frames and illuminated by bright lights attracted moths and a wide variety of other insects.

Among those who showed up Saturday night was John Baur.

“It’s basically my love of nature,” he said. “That’s why I’m here. I was checking out moths in my backyard in Sharon two or three years ago and talked to some people about it and we’re doing (an event) at the (Moose Hill) Audubon sanctuary in Sharon this year. So, we wanted to see another setup and how they’re doing it.”

In addition to those who were simply curious, Small said a number of more serious visitors also stopped by.

“It was great to see so many college kids,” he said. “We had students from UMass, Tufts, Harvard and other universities. They are our future scientists.”

Athol’s annual Moth Ball is sponsored by the Athol Bird & Nature Club. For information on upcoming events visit atholbirdclub.org.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.