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: 11th October 2025
Weather:
My last trapping session was 2 weeks ago on the 26th September. We are now into October, and its the time of year when the wildlife recording begins to slow down, especially for insects and other invertebrates.
In Septembers session we only recorded 21 Moths of 8 Species, and I'm fully expecting even lower numbers this time around!
During the 'quiet season' results are very much weather dependent, and I only run a session if the weather looks suitable. We've had a couple of warmish afternoons of 15C, (I even managed to get the gras cut earlier today), and those warmer temps should help to begin with. Even so, the forecast is still to drop down into single figures.
I'm also not quite sure what effect the fog from midnight onwards, but hey, at least the wind is barely blowing, and there is no rain!
One other thing to note... just like last time, I will be running the trap for the whole of the night time, and will be getting up at 6:30am in the morning, this will give as much opportunity as possible for any moths in the vicinity to land in the trap
Anyway, enough waffle...
Lights on, pots at the ready... Here. We. Go!
Results:
Summary of Results:
And as expected, a very, VERY slow start to the evening. I put the trap out just as dusk was falling at 6:30pm, and went to check the trap at 9:15pm, for just 1 moth... a Light Brown Apple Moth
Light Brown Apple Moth - Epiphyas postvittana
I went out again at 11pm, to find 2 more species: a Shuttle-Shaped Dart and a Lesser Yellow Underwing
Lesser Yellow Underwing - Noctua comes
And with that lack of excitement, I headed to bed...
Part Two
Getting up at 6:30pm was a struggle, until I remembered I had a moth trap down in the garden, potentially full of moths*
*well, not FULL of moths, but there was a chance of SOMETHING in there, surely?
I got dressed and hurried downstairs to find... thick fog, and not much else
I wasn't optimistic when I opened the trap this morning, but even I was disappointed with the contents. It was the same moths I had left in there from the previous evening, along with 1 extra Light Brown Apple Moth
Sigh...
I did use a torch to search the house wall, and nearby plants, in case I could spot any more moths hiding in the vegetation, but no luck
I potted up all the individuals and brought them inside for safe-keeping. These will all be released later this evening when its dark again.
There isn't even any point digging the camera out as all of these are regular sightings, so I might as well use previous images I've taken before.
Light Brown Apple Moth - Epiphyas postvittana
Lesser Yellow Underwing - Noctua comes
Shuttle-shaped Dart - Agrotis puta
Results: 7 Moths of 3 Species
Oh well. It is pot luck at this time of year, and last night apparently the odds were not in my favour. Unless there is an unexpected heat wave in the next 4 weeks, then this is almost certainly the last time I will running a moth trap session this year. It's time to clean it, and then pack it all away, ready for a new season next year.
Thanks to all those who have followed my moth-y exploits this year, and those who have taken the time to comment and vote. It will return in March/April next year, so I'll see you then.
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
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