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: 28th May 2021
Weather: It was a lovely sunny day. With highs of 18C it was warm in the sun, and with a gentle and warm Southerly wind this evening, it looked to be good conditions for tonight. The weather for the whole of May has been appalling, cold and wet and miserable. I am absolutely desperate to see some new moths this year...
Results: 7 moths of 6 species
And if the title didn't give it away, then the table above does. Results were poor. Very poor indeed. There were 3 new species for the year (by which I mean the first time I had recorded them this year).
Summary of Results:
Shuttle-shaped Dart - Agrotis puta
First up was this Shuttle-shaped Dart. Belonging to the Noctuidae family, this species is sexually dimorphic (males and females look different).
Treble Lines - Charanyca trigrammica
Next there were 2 Treble Lines seen in the trap. Also part of the Noctuidae family, and as you can see from the image the moth gets the common name from the 3 brown lines going across the wings.
Common Pug - Eupithecia vulgata
The last of the 3 new species was this tiny Common Pug. A member of the Geometridae family, and as the name suggests, it is common and widespread across the UK. Not very exciting I know, but every record counts.
Bonus pictures for this week:
Common Rough Woodlouse - Porcellio scaber
It was such an appalling session, that other than a couple of woodlice there was nothing else to see. No flies, no midges, no wasps, no beetles, no spiders and no bugs. Rubbish!
Really worrying if I am honest. I know the weather this year has been awful so far, but I expect better than this. And it isn't just me, talking to other moth-trappers up and down the country, numbers are down across the board.
So in conclusion, a forgettable session in the end. Photos taken and meagre records updated, I can now look forward to next weeks session, who knows what I will see next time...
Fingers Crossed it gets better!
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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