Question on moth trapping

[Lindsay-c]

I am hoping to do some moth trapping in the future. Probably after making a trap. I know someone who lives in like a farm house in countryside and when I stay there and the back door is open there is some interesting ones that fly in but it's a faff getting them back outside so a moth trap would be a handier way to attract them and maybe get some pictures.

However, (this might be a silly question or one that has been asked before or perhaps I'm missing something) how do you go about opening the trap and then trying to identify or take a picture of them when they then have the chance to fly away ?

[widiot]

From my experiences I would say this varies depending on the species caught. Some are definately more flighty than others. I find that larger species will quite happily sit there whilst I empty the trap and the likes of hawk moths are unable to take off without warming up first. I always have a few pots handy ready to quickly catch any smaller moths so that I can put them in the fridge which calms them down a bit and allows me to get decent photos.

Its inevitable that you will get the odd escapee,but most of the time the moths remain in a dormant/resting state once they have settled so its important that you place something in the trap where they can settle and feel secure(most people use egg boxes). Also,as alot of the time the moths cant fly immediately its a good idea to release the moths somewhere where they can hide from predators(mine go into my garden hedgerow).

So I wouldnt worry about them escaping in general. You will quickly become adept at handling them and is great fun identifying them. The only warning I would give is that moth trapping is highly addictive and you will become a bore on the subject in no time!lol

[david156]

Originally Posted by widiot

From my experiences I would say this varies depending on the species caught. Some are definately more flighty than others. I find that larger species will quite happily sit there whilst I empty the trap and the likes of hawk moths are unable to take off without warming up first. I always have a few pots handy ready to quickly catch any smaller moths so that I can put them in the fridge which calms them down a bit and allows me to get decent photos.

Its inevitable that you will get the odd escapee,but most of the time the moths remain in a dormant/resting state once they have settled so its important that you place something in the trap where they can settle and feel secure(most people use egg boxes). Also,as alot of the time the moths cant fly immediately its a good idea to release the moths somewhere where they can hide from predators(mine go into my garden hedgerow).

So I wouldnt worry about them escaping in general. You will quickly become adept at handling them and is great fun identifying them. The only warning I would give is that moth trapping is highly addictive and you will become a bore on the subject in no time!lol

As widiot says, especially the last part

[Lindsay-c]

Thanks a lot . Had ideas that either the moths would usually be settled at first or that some people had a particular technique to help with holding on to them for a quick picture. So yeah hopefully I can get a trap sorted and can get stuck in!

I can imagine it will be addictive but am planning on trying my best not to do it too often as I have limited places where I can place a moth trap and I don't want the birds to start thinking that me releasing the moths is a regular buffet