My D.I.Y. moth trap.

[Kleftiwallah]

Here's my DIY moth trap. Used for the first time last night and this morning checked and I caught a few Silver 'Y's and a magnificent Elephant Hawk moth ! I hope it returnes when the Sister in Law's sprogs come for a 'sleep over' (Gaaaauuuud I hate Americanisms).

Can anyone help me understand how to take close-up snaps of moths using my Canon Power Shot A530, but without resorting to auxiliary lenses. I've looked in the doc's but cannot find anything relevant ?

Should I remove the reflector from round the lamp and possibly close the gap between the plastic sheet and the 'tin box' ? Cheers, Tony.
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/a...h/IMG_3282.jpg

[Adam Cheeseman]

I would say yes to removing the reflector though it possibly may not make much difference. You definitely nee to get rid of the gaps between the plastic sheets and the box though. Any gap there will result in a loss of your catch. From the photo it looks as though the space between the two sheets may be too large as well. About 1-1.5 inches is big enough to allow moths to get in.

Cheers,

Adam

[Kleftiwallah]

Thanks for that input Adam, I'll try and modify the thing ! Cheers, Tony.

[Kleftiwallah]

Adam.
moth trap modified using your directions. Is it better to leave the light on all night, or use an electrical timer to turn it off in the early hours ? Cheers, Tony.

[nightshade]

Originally Posted by Kleftiwallah

Here's my DIY moth trap. Used for the first time last night and this morning checked and I caught a few Silver 'Y's and a magnificent Elephant Hawk moth ! I hope it returnes when the Sister in Law's sprogs come for a 'sleep over' (Gaaaauuuud I hate Americanisms).

Can anyone help me understand how to take close-up snaps of moths using my Canon Power Shot A530, but without resorting to auxiliary lenses. I've looked in the doc's but cannot find anything relevant ?

Should I remove the reflector from round the lamp and possibly close the gap between the plastic sheet and the 'tin box' ? Cheers, Tony.
http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/a...h/IMG_3282.jpg

I do like people that have a go at making their own kit. Well done!

[Kleftiwallah]

Thanks for that Nightshade, hope for better things after Adam's suggestions as to modifications. Looking forward to 'the dark' ! Going to try under the apple trees tonight. Cheers, Tony.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by Kleftiwallah

Adam.
moth trap modified using your directions. Is it better to leave the light on all night, or use an electrical timer to turn it off in the early hours ? Cheers, Tony.

I personally leave it on all night until I am ready to empty the trap. Obviously on warm mornings some will still get up and fly off though.
If you have a timer turn it off but don't check it fairly straight away you will lose quite a bit of your catch. A lot of people will get up quite early and shut down the trap - i.e. cover the trap or block the gap so your catch can't escape - and then return at a time later on to sort out what's in there.

Cheers,

Adam

[Kleftiwallah]

Huge increase in captures Adam, thanks.

Last nights star prizes goes to a Poplar Hawk moth and a Scalloped Oak. Squllions of Cabbage moths. One moth was at rest looking like a 'tube' I havn't found it on the mighty computer yet. Cheers, Tony.