In Westchester County, New York, 16-year-old Violet Clinton has been conducting an extensive survey of moth species at the Eugene and Agnes Meyer Nature Preserve, cataloging more than 11,300 insects over seven months. Balancing high school and her research, Clinton has dedicated several evenings each week to "mothing," a practice similar to birdwatching but focused on moths. Her work aims to document the diversity and abundance of moths across three habitats—deciduous forest, pine forest, and meadow—under varying weather conditions and moon phases. These data contribute to a better understanding of moth distribution, which can inform conservation efforts considering moths’ role as pollinators.

Clinton's research, conducted as part of a science project at Horace Greeley High School, has gained recognition beyond typical student endeavors. Despite competing against college and graduate students, she secured second place in the research competition at the annual meeting of the Lepidopterists’ Society held in June at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh. Her findings are regarded by experts such as Jason J. Dombroskie, an entomologist and manager of the Cornell University Insect Collection, as valuable long-term contributions to entomology, especially since moths receive less study than pest species despite their ecological importance.

Moths, with about 160,000 species worldwide—far outnumbering butterflies—play a significant role in pollination, often underappreciated compared to bees and other pollinators. Clinton highlights their nocturnal pollination of crops and wildflowers, noting their contribution to biodiversity and potential as indicators of climate change effects. She also challenges common misconceptions about moths, emphasizing that only the larvae of a few species cause damage to clothing, and encourages a greater appreciation for their varied and sometimes striking appearances.

Clinton’s methods involve using homemade bait made from mashed bananas, brown sugar, and beer—procured by her father—to attract moths to UV-lit sheets where she photographs and releases them. She records environmental data such as temperature, humidity, and air pressure to correlate with moth activity. Utilizing citizen-science platforms like iNaturalist, alongside field guides and expert input, she identifies specimens with precision, rarely encountering an unidentifiable moth.

Although deeply passionate about moths, Clinton does not plan to pursue entomology professionally, citing ethical concerns about the common practice of killing insects for research. Instead, she aims to study animal science and pursue a career as a zoo veterinarian. Her enthusiasm for moths extends beyond research; she has written a draft novel featuring a protagonist fascinated by these insects and enjoys their complexity during her free time.

Clinton’s research adds valuable insight into a largely overlooked group of pollinators, potentially influencing future conservation strategies. Her work exemplifies how dedicated citizen scientists can contribute meaningful data to the scientific community while fostering greater public awareness of ecological interdependencies. As the moth season winds down in fall, she plans to complete her data analysis and submit her findings for publication, though she expects to continue observing moths long after her formal study concludes.