Noctural insect safari

[laetoli]

Hi,

A little while back I saw that TV entemologist, George McGavin, who I really admire, set up a light shining on a sheet at night in the rainforest in Papua New Guinea. The results were amazing.

I thought I'd do the same here in Britain and take as many photos as I could of whatever came along, though I'm sure there'd be a much less significant catch than George McGavin had. Is there anything I should be aware of that would improve the experience?

Thanks,
Paul

[nutmeg]

It's a good thing to do - and interesting to see what turns up. When I put my moth trap out I usually hang a white sheet near it. Tonight there are quite a few moths - some species go happily to the sheet and rest on it but others don't. Mine is heaving with cockchafers at the moment and it's quite disconcerting hearing their wings buzzing and whirring. Plenty of flies too - a huge variety. I sometimes get shield bugs, lacewings... in fact, quite a variety.

I'd choose a calm night with little or no moon. Cloudy and humid is good. If the wind is blowing, the sheet flaps too much and things don't settle for long.