Moth trap, when to put away?

Kleftiwallah · #1 (**permalink**) 22-10-2011, 08:09 AM

Is it still possible to capture moths in a moth trap at this late stage in the year, are there any still flitting about? Or should I wrap it up and put into storage?

Cheers, Tony.

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 22-10-2011, 08:16 AM

You can catch moths all year, but you are likely to catch fewer individuals and fewer species during the winter. However there are some interesting and often overlooked species to catch in the colder months.

Julian Howe · #3 (**permalink**) 22-10-2011, 10:05 AM

I caught a total of 27 moths and 11 species (3 new ones for me!) in the garden last night, so it's worth it, I agree you will obviously get far fewer numbers/ species now. Try to avoid very cold clear nights, it was cloudy and a touch milder here last night, so that made a difference.

Cheers,

Julian

Kleftiwallah · #4 (**permalink**) 22-10-2011, 06:26 PM

Thanks for those words of encouragement. Next time the sprogs vist. . .

Cheers, Tony.

Pete Collins · #5 (**permalink**) 23-10-2011, 08:42 AM

I intend to trap all through the winter months, though probably less frequently. As others have said, there are far fewer moths but they are generally different species so still worth trying for. Definitely best to do it it on milder and cloudier nights.

Wild-Woman · #6 (**permalink**) 23-10-2011, 09:05 AM

I know someone who traps 365 days of the year! And he's been doing that for years.

Julian Howe · #7 (**permalink**) 23-10-2011, 11:55 AM

I intend to continue trapping all through the year too, not sure about every night though, what happens if we have a foot of snow like we did last Winter?

naturegirl · #8 (**permalink**) 23-10-2011, 11:10 PM

Hiya!
Just a point to remember, you should not trap every night but every other night as this gives the night before's catch time to feed and move away.

You will only be repeating the same catch and that is unkind as they have not had time to feed or move away from your light.

We have a southerly wind at present and this is the right time to log migrant species.

Naturegirl

MetalMoth · #9 (**permalink**) 26-10-2011, 03:42 PM

As already mentioned you can catch moths all year round and some species (December Moth) are only found in the winter months.

It is right in a way that you should try not to trap every single night. However I know moth experts who do this so I think it is ok to do. It is down to personal choice. I prefer not too as it gives the ones caught time to move on and also reduces the amount the birds eat and stops them getting as used to there being moths around.