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: 19th October 2020
Weather: It has been mostly dry today. On the chilly side but it is October so that is expected. The wind is noticeable and in due to become increasingly strong as the evening progresses. There is thick cloud cover and we are forecast rain in the early hours of the morning.
Its not looking good to be honest, but it is always pot-luck when Moth Trapping at this time of year. To protect the Trap from the wind and potential rain, I have moved it closer to the house.
Results: 0 moths of 0 species!!
Summary of Results:
Bah!
I wasn't expecting to see/catch a great deal due to the weather conditions and the time of year, and it turns out I didn't get anything! And even though I wasn't surprised, it was still disappointing.
It has just gone past midnight here, it is blowing a gale and I felt a few drops of rain. With nothing to show for my efforts I called it quits and brought everything inside before the rain really arrives.
It is possible to see Moths even in the middle of Winter, but you generally need favourable conditions and preferably be located near prime habitat (Woodland is generally best). I won't get nothing in this garden and believe me I have tried for the last 4 years. It is pretty much a waste of electricity.
So on that note I will pack everything away for this year. You can see the grubiness of the trap in the image below.
Its a combination of mud, dirt, water marks and moth poo.
Yes I did say poo. They can be messy little sods.
I will take the trap apart and wipe it down with a cloth and hot water, dry it off properly and then put it away.*
Next Spring (somewhere in March) I will dig the Trap back out, dust it off and start a brand New Year of Moth Trapping. And once again I will share my results on here
*Unless there are really good weather conditions, never say never haha!
I couldn't finish this post without including a beautiful moth for you all to admire!
Herald - Scoliopteryx libatrix
Not seen tonight, this distinctive moth over-winters (almost like hibernating) as an adult. This means it is often one of the last species to be seen at the end of the year, and one of the first to be seen at the start of the next year.
This individual was seen in March 2019, and hopefully I will it again in March next year, and I'll keep my fingers crossed!
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
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