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: 26th March 2022
Weather:
Well with glorious sunshine for the last 4 days, and plenty of sunshine it seems Spring is finally upon us. I've seen the first butterflies of the year, along with a selection of 'Spring' invertebrates such as Bumble Bee's, Beeflies, and Social Wasps. I even managed to mow the lawn for the first time today! Its been such a nice day that I just had to put the moth trap back out to see what else was about.
Checking the weather forecast, it seems that after today, the temperature becomes significantly cooler. On Thursday there is a chance of snow apparently! I certainly won't be trapping next weekend, so I might as well trap tonight lol
Results: 10 moths of 4 species
Summary of Results:
Compared to the '12 Moths of 8 species' from the Last Session just 2 days ago, the final results seemed a little poor in comparison.
I think the problem was those 'clear blue skies' from earlier today. When the sun went down there was no cloud cover, which meant that temperatures plummeted. There was very little activity around the trap after the sun set and darkness arrived, and I had to wait till almost 10pm to get my first moth, a lone Common Quaker.
Although the daytime temps had reached a comparatively warm 17C, with the sun now set, it had dropped down to 5C. Pretty chilly! This meant I decided to stay inside and wait.
By 1am, I decided that was enough time, so I went to turn of the trap and bring it inside. When I took the egg trays out, I was pleasantly surprised to find a few moths inside....
Left: Early Grey - Xylocampa areola
Top: Common Quaker - Orthosia cerasi
Right: Hebrew Character - Orthosia gothica
Centre on Finger: Clouded Drab - Orthosia incerta
Clouded Drab - Orthosia incerta
While there were good numbers of Early Grey (5) and Common Quaker (3), the highlight was this Clouded Drab. It is supposedly another common Spring species, but it is one I don't see very often.
It is a variable species, mostly ranging from grey to dark grey, but some individuals have a hint of orange to them, like this one here.
All the moths caught that night were released that night, but the uncommon Clouded Drab was bought inside so I could have a chance to take some better photos of it
Clouded Drab - Orthosia incerta
Bonus pictures for this week:
Unusually there were no other invertebrates in the trap this time, no beetles or bugs... not even a Fly!
Instead I might as well show you some of the flowers that are beginning to open around the garden:
Forget-me-nots - Myosotis sylvatica
Bowles's Mauve Perennial Wallflower - Erysimum bicolor
Herb Robert - Geranium robertianum
As mentioned earlier, the predicted unsettled weather forecast for next week, means I'll be back with another Moth Post in a couple of weeks time, so I'll see you all then!*
(*hopefully we don't get the Snow, I do enjoy the winter weather, but not when we are nearly in April!!)
Notes on Pictures: Since I started moth trapping 4 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
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All Photos taken by 
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