New moth trap - first catch!

david156 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-03-2011, 12:26 PM

Finished building a moth trap over the weekend, a Skinner trap with 15w actinic bulb. Decided to give it a test run last night for the first time. Weather was a bit chilly and a slight bit of drizzle, so only managed two species. A Common Quaker and a Yellow Horned. Well I hope i've identified them correctly!

I think this moth trapping lark could get addictive!!!

Cheers David.

nightshade · #2 (**permalink**) 09-03-2011, 01:47 PM

Well not bad for a start, I built a trap but only use it occassionally to see what the bats are eating/or are not around when I expect them.
Let me know if you get Bats around (and what sort if you can) when you are trapping. The highlight of a particular bat walk was to see what the two or three moth trappers had caught but they had more bats with them than we had seen on the walk, flying at around knee hight and taking the attracted moths

Kreacha · #3 (**permalink**) 09-03-2011, 01:50 PM

[quote=david156;741895]
I think this moth trapping lark could get addictive!!!QUOTE]

It does!! I got into it last year when a friend built himself a trap. I am hoping to get myself one this year and I can't wait!! You just never know what's gonna turn up in it!

nightshade · #4 (**permalink**) 09-03-2011, 02:08 PM

I used a £6 mosquito net fom Ikea, hung from a tree the bottom pegged out and a normal 150W lamp inside, it worked very well.

Fauna · #5 (**permalink**) 09-03-2011, 02:24 PM

I use the Complete Skinner Type Moth-trap Set from Paul Batty, and its great fun. When i first started i noticed that some of the moths would fly back out the way they went in, especially when you get some flighty moths. Large yellow underwings seem to be the worst culprits for disturbing the ones that have settled.

So i now sit it on a green recycling box with a think polystyrene insulation board placed on top, with a funnel and vein in the centre. It has helped alot in retaining more moths, though it does take up a lot of time in the morning...i've been late for work a few times going through them all.

Regards Chris...

Cordaline · #6 (**permalink**) 09-03-2011, 06:10 PM

Hi David.
Yes, mothing is highly addictive as I found out last year!

Before I moved house in August, there were some nights at the old garden I was getting 300/400 at a time!
Love it!
Can't wait to get started this year.
Just need to get my own trap, last years was borrowed.
Happy Mothing!