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: 15th August 2025
Weather:
My last trapping session was over 6 weeks ago on the 29th June. I didn't mean to miss the whole of July (which is probably the peak season), but its been busy here, and I've had other commitments to take care off. It doesn't help that the weeks seem to fly by at the moment... a busy 5 days at work is followed by a packed weekend at home, followed by a busy 5 days at work... before I know it, 6 weeks have passed!
However, I have taken some annual leave this week, which meant a small holiday to Scarborough, and some time at home to catch up on chores. And this means I actually have some spare time tonight to finally squeeze a session in.
Weather-wise, the long hot and dry summer continues, with the threat of hosepipe bans and water shortages looming on the horizon. It has been so, so dry this year, and relentlessly hot as well with temps once again touching 30C. It does look like that will change, and that we are in for some cooler weather as it drops down to a more manageable 20-22C. (still no noticeable rain in sight though!)
And with the cooler temps arriving tomorrow, I have rushed about to get the trap set up to make the most of the last of the heatwave today
So without further ado...
Lights on, pots at the ready... Here. We. Go!
Results: 91 moths of 33 species
Summary of Results:
As it has been 6 weeks since the last session, I fully expect to see some different species this time round... and I was not disappointed
Canary-shouldered Thorn - Ennomos alniaria
This is one of my favourites... I love the bright 'canary yellow' hairs on the abdomen, that gives the species its common name... I only ever see one or two of these each year, so this one is always a much appreciated highlight
Angle Shades - Phlogophora meticulosa
Compared the Thorn above, the Angle Shades is a much more frequent visitor, potentially seen from May to November...saying that, this individual is the first one I've seen this year, very unusual.
Straw Underwing - Thalpophila matura
The Straw Underwing is a comon visitor in the late Summer period, and when it appears, it is often in high numbers, as shown by the fact I saw at least 12 of these moths during this session
Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing - Noctua janthe
And another 'Underwing' species, this Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (often shortened to LBBYU as the name is a bit of a mouthful) is another regular visitor near the end of Summer. Not as numerous as the Straw Underwing, I generally get 2/3 of these in each session
Common Wainscot - Mythimna pallens
Another species which is relatively common through out much of the year, and yet I'm sure this is the first time I've seen these this year... which is rather odd. Unsure if it is linked to the weather, as the last 3 summers have been unusual
Garden Rose Tortrix - Acleris variegana
There were very few of the smaller 'micro moths' this evening, which was also unusual. Other than a handful of Grass Veneer moths, the only real highlight was this Garden Rose Tortrix. The Common name is a nod towards the larval foodplant (roses).
Chinese Character - Cilix glaucata
This distinctive little moth is another favorite, and one I don't record here very often so always raises a smile when I see one. And I had two of these this evening!
Apart from the all the new species to be seen this year, I also had a couple of moths that I had never seen before, and thus were new to both me and my garden list
always exciting to add a new species to the list!
NEW - White-point - Mythimna albipuncta
These migrate across from Europe each year, and can be seen in different numbers depending on the conditions each year. As with the changes from global warming, it is suspected that some of these indivduals have managed to breed (info source)
NEW - Cypress Pug - Eupithecia phoeniceata
The second new species found is also a rare visitor to these shores. The Cypress Pug was first recorded in the 1950's, and have since become established, and moving slowly up the country (info source)
So, lots of new faces, including 2 completely new species to me, makes this a pretty successful moth trap session :-)
What will happen next time? Will it be busy and chaotic? Will it be quieter? Will I find something new to record?
Well, once again, there is only one way to find out!
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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