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Moth trappings

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  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    edited July 2022
    We got a lot of heart and darts last time, and I got quite good at identifying Snouts. So called because ... they look like they have a snout.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    We haven't had any decent moth trapping weather in ages :(  All flights are grounded currently.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    What counts as the best moth trapping weather? 
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Warm and cloudy and no wind.
    I'm currently waiting for it as well.  I don't have my own moth trap, and the lady that does it tells me when.  Tiddling it down here.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Fire said:
    What counts as the best moth trapping weather? 
    A good question that's not easy to answer as you can trap in every month of the year and find moths flying. Some bulkier moths are strong flyers and are hairy enough to withstand a bit of cold so cooler temperatures and a bit of a breeze doesn't bother them too much. For maximum diversity though the warmer and calmer the better and a bit of low cloud really seems to help, although it does enhance light pollution in some areas which can be a problem. Micro moths especially seem to like calm weather. Clear nights with a bright moon seem to draw moths away from the trap. Some moths only seem to visit the trap in the early hours of the morning too so a night might start with bad weather but will be clearing by dawn and might not be the write off that it appears. Keep note of the weather anyway as it's all useful data.

    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    It wasn't me trapping but I happened to have to get up to pee last night and outside the bathroom window we have a tree with small dark green slightly hairy leaves, and very small flowers that turn into red berries. The wasps love it they are in all of the flowers, but at night it's full of moths. And a bat. who was hovering up moths eating them and then coming back for the next. So moths were trapped.. but not by me.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    A bit of a poor night in the trap but I did add one new species, this minty-fresh Green Carpet. I love green moths.
    Boris Mothson also made a return, now sporting a conspicuous bald spot. And this nicely marked Mottled Beauty turned up to give the butterflies a lesson in style.

    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • ShepsSheps Posts: 2,236
    steephill said:
    Hummingbird hawkmoth in Bideford, North Devon a couple of days ago.

    Superb!!!
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Oops. I was heading to bed an hour ago and just thought I'd check the trap quickly. Needless to say there's a lot going on out there and some real thumps hitting the trap so I should have some big moths to check out in the morning B)
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
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