Moth trap out for the first time

[JonSadler]

Hi

I have a trap out in my garden for the first time. It's a safari with a 12/22 actinic ring tube - it looks like a huge chinese lantern. My kids (and I) are wild with anticipation!

We'll see what tomorrow brings.....

Cheers
Jon

[GuyF]

Good luck Jon, I hope the weather's alright for you. July's a good time for moths so you never know what might turn up...
Guy

[Ukwildlifeo]

hmmm waether looks clear here 2. mite put mine out for a 2nd go

[Mr Mag00]

good man go for it!

[JonSadler]

one macro (guessing) and two micros so far....off to bed now...hopefully there will be some more tomorrow.

Jon

[Ukwildlifeo]

how you get on? I manage 2 micros and 1 really small micro

[JonSadler]

Hi Wildlifeo (and forum),

There were small elephant hawks, a privet hawk, buff tip....and then I woke up! Here's the real story....we had great fun trying to identify them and photograph them.

The trap captured 19 moths (it is only a small urban garden) and I list them in order my chances of getting the identifications correct:

Scalloped Oak (1)
Riband Wave (1)
Riband Wave f. remutata (6)
Garden Carpet (1)
Large Yellow Underwing (1) - looked like it had had a tough paper round.
Suspected (2)
Beauty (either Great Oak, Pale or Willow) or maybe a carpet? (3)
A snouty thing...(footman, snout, pyralid?) (1)
micro leps (3)

I have uploaded images of all (they await moderation) and the snouty thing is in the unidentified listing (and below?).

I will link them through to this thread when they have been cleared. It was great fun but given the size of our garden I'll wait a few days before the next trapping session.

Regards
Jon

[markebhoy]

hi, im new on these boards with this being my first post.

just 1 hour ago, i was in my kitchen and turned around to see the biggest moth i have seen in my life flapping at my blinds trying to get out. to say this thing was big is a bit of an understatement, as i have seen smaller birds! its body must have been about 2 inch long, and very stocky, about 1cm thick. anyone have any idea what type of moth this could be as there surely cant be many that grow to such great sizes?

thanks, mark

p.s. i live in the clyde valley in scotland

[GuyF]

Originally Posted by markebhoy

hi, im new on these boards with this being my first post.

just 1 hour ago, i was in my kitchen and turned around to see the biggest moth i have seen in my life flapping at my blinds trying to get out. to say this thing was big is a bit of an understatement, as i have seen smaller birds! its body must have been about 2 inch long, and very stocky, about 1cm thick. anyone have any idea what type of moth this could be as there surely cant be many that grow to such great sizes?

thanks, mark

p.s. i live in the clyde valley in scotland

Hi Mark and welcome to the site,

It could well be one of the Hawkmoths, they are some of our biggest and most spectacular moths. In my book there don't seem to be many Hawkmoths living in Scotland, although with the warmer weather it wouldn't surprise me if a few more have started moving up there. Maybe a Poplar Hawkmoth?
Guy

[markebhoy]

hi thanks for the reply , guy,. i had a look at some picsa of hawk moths and poplar hawk moths and none seem to fit. i'll keep looking though and hopefuly it will show up later as o think its still in here, and maybe get a pic of it.