Sharing the results from my latest Moth Trap Session. I have written posts about setting up a moth trap and on collecting the results if you want some more background info on how and why I use a Moth Trap
Date: 24th July 2026
Weather:
It has been 2 weeks since my last trapping session. Last weekend I was busy recovering after my our week staying up in Carlisle for Dawn's Graduation, and then also completing my very long (and very hot!) weekend run , but this weekend it's a return to normal. I've got plenty of chores to catch up on (esp in the garden, the weeds are taking over the patio again), but first it is time to relax this evening with a spot of Moth Trapping.
The weather is still relentlessly hot and dry. Technically not quite as warm as it has been with highs of 24/25C, but still desperate for rain. The forecast apparently shows some light drizzle on Sunday morning, but I bet that doesn't show either
Warm temperatures can be good though, as it encourages moths to travel further from their usual habitats, and is possibly a reason why I found 5 new species in the last session
I wonder if I can see any new species tonight...?
Anyway, enough waffle, lets get on with it...
Results: 59 moths comprising of 25 species
Summary
I did see a few species early on, including the Dusky Sallow below, spotted resting on a fence panel while I was setting up
Dusky Sallow - Eremobia ochroleuca
Also seen while dusk was falling were 2 Light Brown Apple Moths, and then a Silver Y feeding on the Red Valerian flowers.
As darkness fell, there was a lull in numbers, and then it seemed like the evening never really got going. As per the above table, I managed 25 species in the end... but that is poor in peak trapping season
I've shared some of the more interesting ones below
Tree-lichen Beauty - Cryphia algae
A species relatively new to the UK. and currently spreading up the country. I saw my first Tree-lichen Beauty 2 years ago, and last night I saw only my second, so still not common here in Lincolnshire yet
Red Twin-spot Carpet - Xanthorhoe spadicearia
There's been a real dearth of Carpet Moths (i.e Geometridae) here. Feels like I've only seen a handful of species this year, even though there over 300 uk species to potentially see. So just seeing this Red Twin-spot Carpet is a highlight in itself, let alone being a species of Carpet that I very rarely see here.
Ruby Tiger - Phragmatobia fuliginosa
Keeping with the 'red' theme, I also managed to record a Ruby Tiger, I love the vibrant red colour on these! I usually see a handful of these every here, but last night was the first time recorded this year.
Other than that, it was slim pickings to be honest. I've shared some more pictures to illustrate some other species, but nothing notably exciting to be honest!
Common Plume - Emmelina monodactyla
Beautiful Plume - Amblyptilia acanthadactyla
Garden Pebble - Evergestis forficalis
Mother of Pearl - Patania ruralis
And that was that!
At approx 2am, I turned the trap of, so that all the species had time to disperse and hide before dawn at 5am. And now that I've finished this report, its time to tidy it away and carry on with the rest of my weekend.
Next session will be in a couple of weeks, hopefully we'll have had some rain by then!!
What will happen next time? Will it be busy and chaotic? Will it be quieter? Will I find something new to record?
Well, once again, there is only one way to find out!
Notes on Pictures: Since I started moth trapping 5 years ago, I have been slowly building up collection of Library Images. The idea being that once I have taken a picture of a particular species of Moth, I don't need another picture of the same species a year later. It’s a waste of time and energy. I only take pictures of new species, or of moths that are difficult to ID, so I can get the records verified.
While in my care, all individuals are looked after, and after Photographs have been taken, they are all released safely outside.
All names confirmed and checked via Wikispieces
Further Research from UK Moths and NatureSpot
Thank you for reading, I hope you found it interesting.
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