Moth Trap Advice

gentlefern · #1 (**permalink**) 07-11-2011, 08:21 AM

Hi all,

I am planning to buy a moth trap and I getting a little confused. The more I read the less sure I am about which way to go. I definitely require a battery operated trap as I will often be trapping in remote areas. I have a budget of about £150 -£200 and am fancying the Moonlander which is on offer here:-

Watkins & Doncaster Moth traps - battery powered

As far as I can see it is a complete trap - ie no extras required other than the batteries?

I'd appreciate your expert advice on which traps you guys think are the best and whether this is the bargain I think it is.

Many thanks in advance.

Karen

Julian Howe · #2 (**permalink**) 07-11-2011, 08:42 AM

Hi Karen,

Just took a look at the Moonlander trap on Watkins & Doncaster. I have not used one, but have used the rigid trap at £75 + vat further down the page.

If cost is an issue, you will be paying around £300, once you have added vat, you will need a 12v 26ah battery, as the 12v 12ah only lasts around 4 hours max, that costs a further £60 odd pounds, also looks like you will need a battery recharger and AA batteries if you haven't already.

Also the Rigid and Heath traps have the added option of using mains electric.

I agree it's all a bit confusing, I took the cheap option of the rigid trap, but hopefully someone will come on here with experience of the Moonlander.

Good luck!

Julian

Anders152 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-11-2011, 10:07 AM

I'm after a moth trap too and am just as confused. Am I right in thinking those moth traps on sale are not particularly bright - would they still bring in a decent variety of moths? I'd been starting to think that my only option would be to fork out for a Skinner trap but these are much more affordable. I want to run one from the mains really.

Julian Howe · #4 (**permalink**) 07-11-2011, 10:27 AM

The Robinson Trap with a Mercury Vapour bulb is expensive, but will catch far more moths than the smaller traps with an actinic bulb.

I tried a Robinson trap in my garden, but it's very bright and unless you have understanding neighbours, it could prove to be a problem.

I have been running a rigid trap with an actinic bulb since April this year, and I've caught 160 different Macro species, and just over 60 different Micros, a total of just over 220, plus several other Micros which I never managed to id.

I also have the option of battery or mains power, which has been useful

reefbirder · #5 (**permalink**) 07-11-2011, 01:21 PM

Hi All,

In September I bought a 15w Mains Skinner trap from Anglian Lepidopteris supplies, and I have been very happy with the results. As I live in a flat I have to rely on family and friends to be obliging and not mind me scuttling around in their gardens in the early morning at weekends. It also runs off of an inverter which I already had so that I can run it off of the car for a couple of hours in more remote locations. I will be getting a battery and charger for spring - please note this Santa if you are reading this!
The thing with the Skinner is that I can upgrade to MV at some point unless I get really lured into the world of Robinson traps.

Rob

Anders152 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-11-2011, 05:03 PM

That's helpful Rob, to know that I could upgrade in the future to a MVP bulb. My main incentive for using the moth trap is for getting my children involved and excited (and me of course!) With your Skinner trap as it is now, do you manage to trap many species including hawk moths?

Thanks

Kathryn

MetalMoth · #7 (**permalink**) 07-11-2011, 05:22 PM

Ok well here is my knowledge and opinions on moth traps! I myself use a home made Robinson trap which I power from the mains using a 125W Mercury Vapour (MV) bulb. In total it cost me around £150 to make the trap which is considerably cheaper than buying your own Robinson, which is around £285. If you want I can post the information on here of how I made it and the sources I used to get all the bits and pieces.

So far it has performed fine in my garden. I have only been using it over the past couple of months so I missed the main moth season so the catches have of course been small. However I have sat out with it and it works! Over this summer I trapped down in Dorset as part of my summer job there and regularly trapped with the county recorder. He had two traps that we used which both used MV bulbs. One was a skinner and the other a robinson. Both were excellent.

I really think if you can use an MV powered from the mains it is worth the investment. They will attract a lot more moths and it is just better. Though of course if you cannot power from the mains or cannot have the very bright light then you would have to use an acitinic bulb which will still pull in a decent amount. It is just if you had no way to upgrade the trap to an MV bulb you might end up getting frustrated. So definitely look into a trap where you could maybe swap to MV in the future.

As far as I can see Skinner and Robinson traps are almost just as good as each other. People say though that Robinson traps retain more of the catch.

Another option for people is to use a tripod with an MV bulb mounted on it with a white sheet. Works nicely but you do have to stay up with it to look at the moths as they arrive.

Looking at that Moonlander trap it looks very weird. I am not sure it would be very good, though I am no expert. It does not look as good as the better skinner or heath varities which use acitinic bulbs.

Russell Bean · #8 (**permalink**) 07-11-2011, 10:08 PM

Have a look at traps on Safari.UK

MetalMoth · #9 (**permalink**) 08-11-2011, 02:07 PM

Good and reliable places to buy traps are:

Mercury Vapour MAIN PAGE

Welcome To Watkins & Doncaster

Alana Ecology Moth Traps

Uv moth notingha · #10 (**permalink**) 08-11-2011, 03:29 PM

Hi there
I started trapping this year with a home made skinner trap with a 20w actinic lamp (not a tube )
This only cost me 20quid and is perfectly good in most situations , and great if you live in a more urban area with a garden overlooked by other homes .
So far between late may and october I have recorded more than 80 species , including spectaular hawkmoths and even took it abroad to france with cracking results (a hand sized privet hawk moth ).
Actinic has the advantage of being much more weather proof than mercuary vapour , less dazzleing and runs cool , so safe to use around children .
But it is a compromise in the sense of catch numbers . These peaked at 60-80 moths , with a couple of 100 plus nights , whereas with MV you could catch 400-600 moths .

I bought my lamp from paul batty for £14 , look him up on google for his site . He is very helpful and will help you get something for your needs .

I hope I may have been of some small help
UVMOTH