Creatures of the Night

Masters of the Night Skies, Debbie C. Buecher, M.S

Debbie C. Buecher, M.S. is a wildlife biologist specializing in bats. Her Master’s topic was” Bat Diversity, Resource Use, and Activity Patterns along a Sonoran Desert Riparian Corridor”. She owns her own consulting company – Buecher Biological Consulting, which contracts with multiple Federal, State, and County agencies. She has been working with bats for over 30 years across Arizona and New Mexico.

Debbie’s talk will focus on how amazing our unique flying mammals truly are and how they evolved to take advantage of diverse foraging niches. Bats provide ecosystem services in controlling pest insect populations, saving farmers and ranchers billions of dollars on a yearly basis. Bats have also co-evolved with hundreds of plant species for essential pollination services and seed dispersal. Although they conduct these services at night when we cannot watch and appreciate their efforts, they are a critical element of ecosystems worldwide. Unfortunately, bats are at risk from multiple threats including: loss of habitat, disturbance at roosts, climate change, death at wind farms, and white-nose syndrome, a disease caused by a newly emergent fungal pathogen. At the end of the talk you will meet Rosie, a rehabilitated pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus).

Flight to Light: why nocturnal insects are attracted to lights, Dr. John Palting, PhD, UA Department of Entomology

People have long observed the phenomenon of nocturnal insects being “drawn like a moth to a flame.” Electric lights were only invented about 150 years ago, yet the same attraction is seen with them. We’ll explore the suspected reasons why this occurs and the potential impact our electrified world is having on nocturnal insect populations.

Night Sky Objects and Preserving Dark Skies, Jim Knoll, Tucson Astronomy, Amateur Astronomer

A presentation on different objects in the night sky with focus on dark skies and night pollinators/migratory birds, and telescope observing that evening. People have long observed the phenomenon of nocturnal insects being “drawn like a moth to a flame.” Electric lights were only invented about 150 years ago, yet the same attraction is seen with them. We’ll explore the suspected reasons why this occurs and the potential impact our electrified world is having on nocturnal insect populations.

Native Plants for Nocturnal Pollinators, Francesca Claverie, Native Plant Program Director at Borderlands Restoration Network

Which native plants support nighttime insects and pollinators? Not all plants support night life in the same way. Learn which native species are extra special at night, and learn what qualifies and how to point out plants that have nocturnal benefits!