May Moths (3 Viewers)

[OrnithologyDevotee]

A couple of new species for me this week with a Small Yellow Underwing at my local birding patch and Rhyacionia pinivorana in the garden trap. I've had several pine-specialist moths in the garden in the last couple of years but couldn't tell you where the nearest conifers are!

Curious about how people trap moths. What do you do? Is there a thread on moth traps?

 

[Richard D]

Whilst watering tonight

 

[Southern Viking]

My first Drinker Moth caterpillar of the year found today alongside Bamburgh Castle with the backdrop of the Farne Islands

 

[Farnboro John]

Trapped again last night, not much of a catch possibly more due to wind than temperature but Sycamore NFY lurking on a fence panel near the trap was nice.

3 Heart and Dart, one each of Flame Shoulder, Vine's Rustic, Oak-tree Pug and Notocelia cynosbatella.

John

 

[JWN Andrewes]

Double Elephant this morning, regular & Small. Also Alder Kitten & Orange Footman both NFY.
So far as I can see, my garden remains the only site in Flintshire to have recorded Orange Footman, although there may be resources I am unfamiliar with that say otherwise.

 

[loiner]

Curious about how people trap moths. What do you do? Is there a thread on moth traps?

Your best bet is just an internet search for moth traps. Essentially you need a light source (UV or mercury-vapour bulbs) to attract the moths, baffles around the light to cause the moths to drop and a container to hold them in until the morning. The light can be powered either from the mains or by battery/power pack, which allows for portability. In the UK there are several suppliers, presumably the same in the States, but some people make their own traps. One simple way is to put a light source over a white sheet, but that requires staying up into the night to see what is attracted. With a trap you can set it, go to bed and look at the catch in the morning.