The hidden "WOW" factor in our gardens.

[John]

Over the last month I have been laid up with a bad back, not daring to venture further than my garden. Because of this I have concentrated on doing a few Moth Trappings over the last few weeks as it is easier for me to stand than it is to sit. It has also given me plenty of time to study my catches and try to ID most, if not all, my catches myself.

Along the way I have caught some stunning moths and it got me thinking that there is a world of Moths out there that the ordinary person wouldn't dream existed.

I don't know if this thread will interest anyone other than another Moth-er but I hope it will interest members who think that Moths are nothing special.

If anyone else wants to join in with photos of some of their trappings, or findings, feel free. Let's bring the world of Moths to those people that know nothing, or very little about them.

I will post the first twenty species and see what you guys can add to them. Try not to repeat those that have already been shown please.

I will start with the Hawkmoths I have trapped in my garden.

1. Elephant Hawkmoth


2. Small Elephant Hawkmoth


3. Eyed Hawkmoth


4. Lime Hawkmoth


5. Poplar Hawkmoth


Now for a Hawkmoths I photographed elsewhere.
6. Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth


7. Barred Yellow


8. Swallow-tailed Moth


9. Canary-shouldered Thorn


10. Buff Arches



11. Buff Tip


12. Burnished Brass


13. Ghost Moth


14. Gold Spot



15. Leopard Moth


16. Magpie


17. Small Magpie


18. Pine Beauty



19. Sallow Kitten



20. Scorched Wing


I hope you have liked this selection and it has whetted your appetite to see more. If any Moth-ers out there can contribute to the thread with some good photos that would be great.

I hope the thread shows that moths are not plain old insects but things of beauty, and there are a lot of them that visit your garden.

John

[The Black Rabbit]

Great photos John!
I guess my area of main experience and knowledge revolves around mammals and birds, but have been trying to find out more and more about insects (and moths in particular) over the last few years.
Here in Reading this Summer for example, we have literally been inundated with Scarlet Tiger Moths - something I'd never seen before.
You are quite right, moths are fascinating - as wonderful (or even more so in my humble opinion) than the day-flying butterflies which everyone knows about!
Even their names are great!

Keep up the good work...
Doug.

[Lance Morgan]

Excellent photo's John. Hope you feel better soon.

[tr33lo]

An excellent collection of moths and some awesome shots too great work and I hope you feel better soon

[GuyF]

I totally agree John, moths are really spectacular insects, when you look at them, they have beautiful patterns and colours.
I'll add some of my more interesting moths shots.
These first few are ones which I've trapped this year, and it just goes to show that these moths are around and are could be flying around in anyones gardens at night.
1. This is the male version of John's Ghost Moth

2. Green Arches

3. Striped Hawkmoth

4. Privet Hawkmoth

5. Pine Hawkmoth, not the most colourful but the size makes it very impressive!

6. White Ermine

7. Buff Ermine

8. Muslin Moth

9. Peppered Moth

And here are a couple of day flying moths I've seen in the garden.
10. Mother Shipton

11. Narrow-bordered 5-spot Burnet

And finally a couple of nice ones I've seen elsewhere
12. Narrow-bordered Bee Hawkmoth, closely related to John's Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth

13. Scarlet Tiger

Just goes to show how fascinating and beautiful moths can be.
Guy

[goosey]

John, Guy what an absolute stunning selection of Moth images. I have gone through them a few times and I haven't spotted any of these in our garden this year. Mine look rather tame and boring in comparison. Moths are beautiful aren't they and the variety quite staggering!

I was thinking of adding my 2007 moth Gallery webpage from my Website but I suppose this would be classed as an external link?

[demicav]

Beautiful photographs guys. I've always been into mammals and reptiles but since joining WAB my interest has grown into other areas like birds and insects. I used to have a bit of a phobia about big moths but I'm actually really begining to like them. I'm looking out for them more when I'm out and about hoping to catch a glimpse and maybe even a photo. There's such a wide variety of moths, they're certainly not dull or boring. You're very lucky as well as you seem to have so many species around you. Thanks once more for sharing the photos, keep them coming.

[John]

Originally Posted by demicav

Beautiful photographs guys. I've always been into mammals and reptiles but since joining WAB my interest has grown into other areas like birds and insects. I used to have a bit of a phobia about big moths but I'm actually really begining to like them. I'm looking out for them more when I'm out and about hoping to catch a glimpse and maybe even a photo.

The majority of these moths you won't see in the day. You have to trap them and there are various ways of doing this. Here is an old thread that may give you some ideas how to do this.
Mothing

Originally Posted by demicav

There's such a wide variety of moths, they're certainly not dull or boring. You're very lucky as well as you seem to have so many species around you. Thanks once more for sharing the photos, keep them coming.

I can assure you that you may have most, if not all these mothjs you are seeing plus many more. Guy has added photos of Moths I would love to see but as yet they haven't been trapped by me. Likewise there is a chance that i have trapped Moths that guy hasn't seen.

As long as these photos make you realise that moths are not boring then it has done it's job.

Here are a few more.

1. Scarce Silver-lines



2. Small Yellow Wave


3. Sycamore


4. Varied Coronet



5. White Plume Moth



6. White Satin Moth


Those will do for now.

Virtually all that have been shown are known as Macro Moths. Later I will add a few that are known as Micro Moths. These are tiny moths and you would be excused for thinking that a moth that can be less than a half an inch could be a beautiful moth but I hope that some of my images, and other members images, will go a long way to prove the opposite.

John

[Za]

You have both definately captured the "WOW factor" with those shots, stunning examples.
Za

[Ann2]

Fantastic photos, it's certainly opened my eyes to a new world outside my door. Trouble is I'll need a different lens for the camera.

Ann