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 May 2026
Weather:
It has been 2 weeks since my last trapping session, which took place at the start of May Results from the first 3 sessions have been flippin' rubbish, with just 5 different species of moths recorded over those 3 sessions:
The main culprit for that as been the unusually cold and windy Spring (often featuring a cold North Easterly wind). Fortunately (or perhaps finally) someone has remembered to turn the heating on, and we've finally got some warmth. Last weekend was highs of 15C, today we've got highs of 25C, and more importantly, the warmth is going to stay all evening thank to a mild southerly breeze
I was preparing to set the trap up, and was having a quick glance around the garden... I went and checked out the Red Valerian, as it sometimes has moths or butterflies feeding on the flowers
...and to my amazement, I spotted a Hummingbird Hawkmoth whizzing back and forth. You can see it circled in the photo above, taken on my rubbish phone camera...
...even with a proper DSLR camera (taken 2 years ago) it is really hard to get pictures. No matter, the important thing was that I've now seen my 6th moth species of the year, and it is not even dark yet... I'll take this as a good omen that this might finally be a decent session
Anyway, lets cut to the chase...
Lights on, pots at the ready... Here. We. Go!
Results:
Summary
As you can by the long list, I had a really productive session. The Hummingbird Hawkmoth seen earlier in the evening was the undoubted highlight, and this was very likely to be a migrant having been blown across the English Channel from Europe due to the warm southerly wind. Another likely migrant was the Diamond-back Moth:
image source - I still don't have any decent pictures of this species, so have resorted to using the above from a trusted Identification website
The most numerous species was the Light Brown Apple Moth with at least 12 seen at one point last night. There were several species at 2 or 3, and many more of single individuals... all recorded of course, and I've shown a selection below:
Notocelia cynosbatella
Apapeta hamana
Waved Umber
Bee Moth
Common Marbled Carpet
Common Pug
*Knotgrass
Smoky Wainscot
Pale Tussock
Pale Tussock
Water Veneer
By midnight, I decided that the evening had been productive enough, that I could turn the trap off now, instead off leaving it over night (and having to get up at 4am to check it). Some late nights recently, plus a 14 mile run in the heat on the previous day meant that I could really use a lay-in!
On the whole though, a much better session, really good to see everyything
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.
If you have any thoughts or opinions on this article then I'd love to see your comments.
And if you really like the content then maybe you would like to upvote or re-hive it.
All Photos taken by 
Check out my website for more of my work.
Click HERE if you wish to join the new Holozing blockchain game!