Mothing

[Fourwings]

Seeing as this subject was at risk of hijacking the "Best buy" thread I thought maybe it was best to open one dedicated to mothing.

I only started last year so I'm still classed as a beginner. It's fantastic activity that allows you to study a fantastic array of insects that are seldom seen & from what I can see you never stop learning.

I run a borrowed trap in my garden during the Summer months, I've yet to have anything rare in it, but my best catch included 14 Elephant hawkmoths in one night, quite a suprise!

So how many other moth'ers are out there amid the WAB membership?

[Jonny]

I started mothing last year too and enjoyed it so much that I built my own trap and the kids are always going on at me to put it out again, roll on the spring again. Looking forward to a good mothing year. May join a moth group too....................Jon

[Helen]

Thanks for that fourwings, I was going to split the other thread in two.

Cheers.

[Fourwings]

I'm very lucky to have two good friends that have been mothing for years, so I spent all last Summer going out with them & I became addicted very quickly.

I aim to build my own trap before the season gets into full swing, a 125 watt MV is the obvious choice, I also want to build a separate MV rig to suspend over a sheet.

I suppose at some stage getting a generator is on the cards as well.

[Jonny]

To build a moth trap click here.... http://www.atropos.info/
For a generator click here.........http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...43168&ts=37428
Very good price
I might be teaching you to suck eggs, but it may help someone............Jon

[John]

As I said in the best buy thread, I was given a Mercury vapour trap by a friend last year. Up until then I didn't know a thing about Moths (I don't that much more now) but when the very first moth in my Trap was an Elephant Hawkmoth I was hooked.

I am looking forward to spring also when I get the chance to put the trap out again.

I have attached a few photos from last years collection.

1. Elephant Hawkmoth (my very first trapped moth)
2. Leopard Moth
3. The Drinker
4. Burnished Brass
5. Early Thorn

[nightshade]

I will put in the link for lamps etc. again www.pwbelg.clara.net/mercury/kits/
I usually just put up an Ikea mosquito net and light it from below ,good results in an urban garden
There are plans for building a skinner type on www.angleps.btinternet.co.uk
www.alanaecology.com can supply several types,hope this is useful

[Fourwings]

Nice photos John - the Leopard moth is great, not had one of those yet!

What moth book does everyone use?, personnaly I can't get on with Skinner, the new Waring/Lewington book is much better, at least it shows moths in a way that you will see them, & not dead, wings wide open and pinned to a board!

[wildone]

John, are these in the Gallery? If not would you consider posting them please.

[henrya]

Quote
What moth book does everyone use?,
Endquote

Please will somebody produce a moth book that helps you to know which page to look at. Skinner, and Waring and Lewington present you with hundreds of pictures of moths - but where do you start looking, especially if the moth is small and brown?

henrya