How garden habitats support moth diversity and populations, and why moths matter beyond their role as butterfly relatives.
Moth welfare sits at the same philosophical frontier as other insects - genuine uncertainty about their capacity for suffering, combined with large populations facing significant anthropogenic threats. Light pollution is among the most pervasive threats - moths attracted to street and garden lights circle until exhausted, unable to navigate, and exposed to predation. Caterpillar populations are affected by the loss of specialist native plant hosts through habitat management and garden plant choices. Supporting moth welfare through habitat and light management is also an investment in the entire food web that depends on moths.