Cornell Cinema Ithaca, NY
Robert Reed
Associate Curator of Lepidoptera, Cornell University Insect Collection
andJason Dombroskie
Manager, Cornell University Insect Collection and the Insect Diagnostic Lab
andMeena Haribal
Retired Chemical Ecologist
Nocturnes— The magical world of moths
Program Description
Three Cornell experts will share insights on moth biology, the evolution of lepidoptera, and the incredible biodiversity depicted in the film, focusing especially on the moth populations of upstate New York and how we can all contribute as naturalists and citizen scientists.
Presented At
Cornell Cinema Ithaca, NY
Film Synopsis
In the dense forests of the Eastern Himalayas, moths are whispering something to us.
In the dark of night, two curious observers shine a light on this secret universe. Together, they are on an expedition to decode these nocturnal creatures in a remote ecological “hot spot” on the border of India and Bhutan. The result is a deeply immersive film that transports audiences to a rarely-seen place and urges us all to look more closely at the hidden interconnections of the natural world.
About the Speaker
Robert Reed is a Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Cornell and Associate Curator of Lepidoptera for Cornell University Insect Collection. His research focuses on the evolution of animal color patterns, specifically how novel patterns arise in nature and how they diversify under natural selection.
Jason Dombroskie is the Manager of the Cornell University Insect Collection and the Insect Diagnostic Lab and a Senior Extension Associate in the Department of Entomology at Cornell. His main research interest is microlepidoptera with a focus on the taxonomy of the tortricid moth tribe Archipini in the New World. You will often find Jason collecting in various parts of the world, browsing insect collections in efforts to document the Lepidoptera fauna of New York State, or leading various public outings and talks on Insects.
Dr. Meena Haribal is a retired chemical ecologist, and currently serves as a Teaching Associate in the Department of Asian Studies. She is fascinated by the languages of the world and how they have evolved alongside other phenomena of the natural world. She is the author of Butterflies of Sikkim Himalaya and Their Natural History (2003) and passionate about citizen science.