Where's the best place for Moths

[briar rose]

Hi, since finding 3 stunning EHM caterpillars in my garden, I've now got the bug (pardon the pun) for finding and taking pics of Moths, what sort of area and conditions are best to see them, or is it too late in the year for them, Thank you
Chris

[Wild-Woman]

Moths are very good a camouflage, so you'll often walk past them without realising they're there. Bark of trees, underside of leaves, cracks and crevices, they are all worth looking at.
If you really get into moths, then have a go at mothing with a white sheet and a light to attract them in. Doesn't need to be an elaborate set up and expensive kit to bring a few in.
Good luck and keep an eye out for the day flying moths too.
Jules

[aeshna5]

There are moths on the wing all year round- a handful of species are only normally seen in the winter season. However the number + variety of moths will be rapidly declining this time of year.

The best evenings are mild, overcast + not too windy. You could try planting a selection of night pollinated plants such as Honeysuckle + Nicotiana. Also plants such as Red Valerian + Ivy are good nectar plants. If you have some native shrubs + trees in or near your garden that will increase the variety that will visit your garden.

To help you learn more you could search on internet for any local moth groups- Butterfly Conservation may be able to help.

Also have a look at web sites for Back Garden Moths + UK Moths amongst others. And of course there are some good moth people on here. They are fascinating insects.

[clicka15]

Hi Briar Rose,

You can get involved with moths in a number of ways. I started by looking at them as I came across them. Then I started attracting them using light, rotting fruit and nectar-rich flowers.

Probably my favourite method is one that a friend introdced me to earlier in the summer: dusking. It's relatively inexpensive and all you need is a headlamp, a net and some specimen pots (around £30-35 all together). This method allows you to go to any chosen habitat and see moths behaving naturally in their natural habitat. You can also learn flight-patterns and learn about food plants, and you can also see species emerging from pupation as adults. Also, you have the chance of seeing moths that wouldn't necessarily be attracted to a light trap. It's also good exercise!

Because moths are around all year in varying numbers, it's a year-round interest. You can spend as little or as much as you like, depending on how involved you want to get.

Aeshna's advice was great: have a look at the Butterfly Conservation website for your local branch and go to a few events (many have finished their events for the year now, though). UK Moths is useful for identifying individual moths, but this website is massive and I find it daunting if I have no starting point.

This forum is excellent and I have learned a lot from the people who contribute to it. The Gallery is also excellent and I use it quite regularly.

Best wishes,

Steve.

[briar rose]

Thank you everyone, I'm looking foreward to Mothing

[The Black Rabbit]

The best place for moths?

My father's wallet...

Doug

[briar rose]

Originally Posted by The Black Rabbit

The best place for moths?

My father's wallet...

Doug

Do you think he'd let me open it to take some pics of them how big are they, will I need my Macro lens or my wide angle lens

[tristanba]

No one has mentioned sugaring - now (the autumn) is a good time to try it as natural nectar sources are running low (although do look for moths on Ivy Blossom)

It's easy to make a sugar mixture which can be painted onto fenceposts and trees or used to soak ropes, these will attract species which are able to feed (not all moths can). Choose a sheltered location, ideally on the boundary between as many habitats as possible. I usually use a very overipe (ie black) banana as a basis, which I heat in a pan with sugar/treacle/golden syrup, then add a little wine, a dash of stout, or even a splash of rum. If you don't catch any moths, you can always drink it instead!

An excellent text regarding all aspects of moths is Enjoying Moths by Roy Leverton, which I can't recommend highly enough.

Cheers
Tristan

[annA dowdeN]

Hello I've just joined this group...
I reckon you can find moths almost anywhere but good places are often ones with trees, shrubs, plants near.
I started doing moth-traps 3 years ago and have found many different and interesting moths in my garden which is in a town but has open land quite near and I have lots of different native plants in my garden too.
I have also been taking my trap to friends' houses and to any place I stay - this gets people interested who didn't know anything before.

People are very surprised that there are so many moths in our country and that they are very interesting to look at as well as interesting in their life cycles.