Moth Trap: 7th May 2022 - A Mixed Bag!

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

Quite annoying to be honest.

The wind is cold and the wrong direction. The only plus is the complete cloud cover which at least prevents the moon from affecting tonight's results. Oh well, not much I can do about that, so I'm gonna light up my trap anyway and see what we can find

Results: 8 moths of 6 species

Summary of Results:

Firstly though, I have an update from the 2 Scarlet Tiger caterpillars I found during the last session. I had two caterpillars, who both ate the Common Nettles that I fed them, until 2 days ago when One of them pupated:

Begining to make a cocoon...

...and now in the Pupal stage

It has now shed its skin to become a Pupa, and it'll stay that way for a couple of months, slowly changing into an adult moth. Really exciting, and I can't wait to see the adult form. The second caterpillar has stopped eating and now keeps wandering round and round. He's been doing this for nearly 2 days now. I was going to put him out tonight, but it looks like he is finally beginning the transition into a Pupa... I'll keep you updated on the progress.

Anyway, back to tonight.

Well, the first thing I found (sorry, what @dawnsart found) was another chunky caterpillar

Double Square-spot - Xestia triangulum

I'm fairly confident that this is a Double Square-spot, which is reasonably common, and I have see the caterpillars here for the last few years, along with the adult form which appears in early Summer.

Next up was a Light Brown Apple Moth, and then a Shuttle-shaped Dart. There is no such thing as a boring, but I will see both of these species nearly every session until late Summer.

And then I found two of these small Weevils

I'm still trying to ID them, but I think they may be Barynotus obscurus. They are quite difficult to ID, but the location looks right and the habitat is plausable too.

Obviously I won't add this to my Moth Records (cos its not a moth etc) but I will add it as a new species to my Garden List.

Next up is a Rustic Shoulder-Knot and then a Garden Pebble.

Garden Pebble - Evergestis forficalis

Both species are reasonably common, but it is the first time I have seen them in the Garden this year

It does seem a lot quieter compared to last week

I suppose it can still be hit and miss when it is still early in the season. Its approaching midnight so I guess I might as well bring the trap inside. And Lo and Behold! Just like last week, as soon as I start putting it all away, one last moth appears...

Here is a lovely White Ermine, I think that's a nice place to end, don't you?

Bonus pictures for this week:

The bonus is unusual, as it is a butterfly which I saw at night. I know they must go somewhere when night falls to wait until the next day... but I've never seen one after dark.

This Green-veined White was sat completely motionless on this old Dandelion seed head, so still in fact that I was able to get really close to take pictures of him

Green-veined White - Pieris napi

Do Butterflies sleep? I'm not sure to be honest, but I do know they will sit totally still conserving their energy until the sun comes up.

I think that's a good idea... its now nearly 2am here and I really could do with some sleep, or at least trying to conserving my energy too. 😂

It was a good evening in the end, not many moths, but still plenty to see out there. I'll be back next week for another session, so I will see you then!

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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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All Photos taken by @dannewton unless otherwise stated.
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