What Moths did you trap today

[John]

I was thinking. There are a few of us that trap moths amongst us. I don't do it very often but it would be an idea if we were to attach a few photos to this thread just to see what we are all catching from time to time. It would be good for non mothers to see what is about also.

I had a fairly good two hours last night and following are some of the moths I caught.

1. Swallow-tailed moth - Ourapteryx sambucaria (one of my favourite moths)
2. Spectacle- Abrostola tripartita
3. Spectacle - Abrostola tripartita (you can see why it is called that)
4. Miller - Acronicta leporina
5. Large Fruit Tree Totrix - Archips podana

I am on my way down in Essex in just over an hours time (family birthday party) but on my return I will be interested to see if anyone else has contributed to the thread.

John

[matt_xyz]

I will be interesed to see the replies to this thread as well. I don't trap moths but have been coming across a nice selection in my garden (and elsewhere) recently. The big problem I have is identifying them! I have Chinery's 'Complete British Insects' which has a very large moth section, but it is often v. tricky to identify a moth from 1 photo, particularly as the wings can be folded in different ways. Any tips John? I seem to recall you made reference to a website in an earlier thread....?

Matt

[John]

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

I will be interesed to see the replies to this thread as well. I don't trap moths but have been coming across a nice selection in my garden (and elsewhere) recently. The big problem I have is identifying them! I have Chinery's 'Complete British Insects' which has a very large moth section, but it is often v. tricky to identify a moth from 1 photo, particularly as the wings can be folded in different ways. Any tips John? I seem to recall you made reference to a website in an earlier thread....?

Matt

Hi matt

I am certainly no expert as I only trap moths on the odd occasion. Here is one website that is very useful.

http://ukmoths.org.uk/

John

[matt_xyz]

Thanks John, that's the one. That site will come in useful I think.

Whilst on this topic, if a mod reads this would it be possible to move the photo below into the Moth Gallery please? It may help someone with an ID. Thanks.

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ga...age-11383.html

Matt

[John]

Nice photo Max

I have one of that species also but not as good as your image.

John

[Fourwings]

Last night was the best this year so far, I was out at a new site fairly local to me, a meadow on the edge of an Oak wood. My catch statistics were :-
Total number of moths caught and ID'ed - 259
Total of species - 49
Air temp - started at 16 degrees dropping to 11 degrees.
Trap type - 125 watt MV
Run from 9:45pm to 1:15am

Highlight species were:-
5 - Light Emeralds
4 - Scorched wing
5 - Beautiful Golden Y
8 - Mottled Beauty
4 - Small Angle shades

Most numerous moths were - Heart and Dart - 57
Middle-barred Minor - 34
Setaceous Hebrew Character - 20
Large Yellow underwing - 20

Number of unidentified micro moths not included in total count - 43

[Jonny]

We had the trap out last night, but I don't know what we caught as I do not know many moths and find them hard to identify and I don't want to keep on asking all you guys. Saying that, we did get a swallowtail and several heart and darts and a yellow underwing or ten.
I am really excited about this evening as I am taking the trap and gennie and going on a moth hunt in some beautiful woods near hear, will let you know how it went, there will be several experts there

[Tornado]

Fourwings, it sounds like you are the "expert" moth trapper!! My husband has kindly bought me a Skinner Trap, can you give me any advice? ie where the best places to trap? and what times are best etc? Any advice would be great thanks
Tornado

[Fourwings]

Originally Posted by Tornado

Fourwings, it sounds like you are the "expert" moth trapper!! My husband has kindly bought me a Skinner Trap, can you give me any advice? ie where the best places to trap? and what times are best etc? Any advice would be great thanks
Tornado

Your garden is an excellent place to start, you will be shocked at just how many different species of Moths visit gardens weather they are in the city or countryside.

Don't worry about trying to ID everything for a start, ID those that you can then pick about 10 that you can't and concentrate on them, releasing all the others, this way you will learn moth ID's without being over-whelmed by numbers.

Start your trap running just before it gets fully dark and turn it off when you have had enough. If you are leaving it running all night then set your alarm and get up after first light, switch off the trap and move it to a cool place like a garage or shed until you are ready to go through the contents.

One little tip - if you are staying outside with your trap whilst its running try standing the trap on a white sheet, this will attract loads of insects as well as moths, plus lots of moths will settle on the sheet for you to ID there and then, this can be great fun on a warm Summers evening.

Always keep a record of what you catch, these can be submitted to your local county recorder at a later date and will help to build up a picture of the Moth populations in your area.

[Tornado]

Thanks Fourwings, excellent advice to start with a few first, a good way to begin. Will be trying it out as soon as we get a dry evening, its raining just at present......... typical!!
Thanks Tornado