Moth Trap - 27th May 2023 ( Finally some moths to see...)

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: 27th May 2023

Weather:

Hey. Welcome back to the 'semi-regular' moth trapping sessions that I run most weekends. It can be hit or miss, but as we are fast approaching Summer its time to make them more regular as there is 'potentially' a lot to see.

Weather-wise, its been dry nearly all week and has been reasonably warm too, touching 20C at times. We hit this again today, and had beautiful blue skies too. Those clear skies mean the temps will drop quickly tonight, but I'm still hopeful that we'll final get some decent action tonight. The forecast above shoes the next 3/4 days will be cooler, so I'd better make the most of it tonight.

As I type this dusk is setting, and I'm already seeing plenty of flies and midges (which is usually a good sign for later. I even spotted my first Moth:

...a small Light Brown Apple Moth, seen here resting on one of the Vanes of the trap

I'll take this as a good omen... lets go!

Results: 32 moths of 17 species

Summary of Results:

And I think those results speak for themselves! Not only was there plenty of activity, but also lots of new species seen for the first time this year. 10 in fact, all marked by the red dot in the table above.

By far and away the most productive session of the year thus far, and about time too be honest as we will be in June next week. In fact, I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves...

Silver Y - Autographa gamma

Grey Dagger (Acronicta psi) OR Dark Dagger (Acronicta tridens)

There are 2 very similar looking moths a Grey Dagger and a Dark Dagger, they look so similar that it is impossible to ID them as adults. The caterpillars look different. Disection can help but as I have no interest in killing them just to know the name I (along with many others) just record the moths under the collective 'Grey/Dark Dagger' name

Common Marbled Carpet - Dysstroma truncata

White Ermine - Spilosoma lubricipeda

Heart & Dart - Agrotis exclamationis

Finally! These moths are rediculously common, and yet this is the first time I've seen this species this year

I was starting to get worried!

There was still only 1 seen, whereas I would expect between 6-10 individuals on most sessions, but it's a start.

Flame Shoulder - Ochropleura plecta

Regular readers will probably have noticed that I re-use species pictures (all taken by me of course unless otherwise stated). The reason is the experience can be potentially stressful to the individual moth, but I work as quick as I can, and as soon as I get the shot needed, the moth is released.

I reuse these images as once I've got a decent photo, I don't need to keep photographing the same species over and over. It causes unnecessary discomfort, and is a waste of my time too. When I first started I used to spend hours photographing specimens, but now that I have built up a 'library of sorts' I now only photograph new species, or interesting records.

With that in mind, when I caught the Flame Shoulder above last night, I knew I needed to update his 'photo' as the only image I had previously was no longer good enough.

Flame Shoulder - Ochropleura plecta

And so here we are with some better pictures. He was kept in a pot in the fridge overnight (totally safe by the way) and a quick 2 minutes spent using a snazzy purple background... job done. I then put him back safe and sound in the pot, and when it was getting dark I released him back into the garden so he could carry on doing whatever it is that moths do :-)

So yeah, a really productive session, and I'm already looking forward to next weekend to see what may turn up next time!

I'll leave you with some bonus pictures of a small Holly Blue butterfly, which I spied yesterday feeding on the Red Valerian flowers in the late afternoon sun... enjoy!

Bonus Pictures

Holly Blue - Celastrina argiolus

Holly Blue - Celastrina argiolus

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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.

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All Photos taken by Hive account@dannewton unless otherwise stated.
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