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: 18th April 2026
Weather:
This is the first session of the new year 2026. My last trapping session was way back in November last year, and I haven't run a session as the results here in my garden are poor during Winter. There are some hardy moths that do still exist during the colder times, but they are mostly restricted to established woodland. Over the years, I've learnt that I get so little here in my garden that it is actually a waste of electricity!
However, we are now in April, and it's high time I got going again. I'm not expecting much, but there will at least be something to see.
Besides, after sitting in the garden all afternoon, and seeing all the various insects in the warm afternoon sunshine, and appreciating all the flowers now in full bloom, I'm optimistic that moths are on there way too.
After a relatively mild, but rather wet winter and early Spring, it appears that we've finally had a period of dry, settled weather. The last few days have had temps in the mid teens 13C to 15C, the wind seems to have calmed down, and other than a couple of heavy (but brief) thunder showers, it has been dry
(I did try to set up a moth trap session last weekend, but in the end I decided the conditions weren't quite worth it... tonight looks to be better!)
Anyway, enough waffle...
Lights on, pots at the ready... Here. We. Go!
Results:
Summary - Part 1
Well not much of a summary goes, nil, none, zero, zilch... no moths.
It does feel rather cold now the sun has set, but the plus side, there is not even a hint of a breeze... but nothing out there. I checked at 10pm and midnight, and no sign. I think I'll leave it on overnight, and I'll be checking it at dawn in the morning...
Summary - Part 2
Well, I wasn't optimistic, but at approx 6:30am I got up this morning and headed outside to check the moth trap. And lo and behold, sat in the corner of the box was an actual moth!
This is a Muslin Moth (Diaphora mendica) I've seen this species before, but only once or twice each year, so it's not very common here. There's a better photo below, from when I caught this species previously:
It's an unexpected record for this time of year, as I would have expected a Common Quaker, or Clouded Drab, or Double-stripped pug... but hey, a moth is a moth, and it marks the start of this years recording.
As there was no other moths to talk about, then instead I will leave you with a selection of sightings of other invertebrates and flowers that I saw in the garden yesterday... as Spring progresses, it is clear that everything is beginning to wake up, and hopefully next session (in approx 2 weeks) will have some more moth species to talk about!
Hairy Shieldbugs (Dolycoris baccarum)x2, Nursery Web Spider (Pisaurina mira)
Forget-me-nots (Myosotis sylvatica)
Water Avens (Geum rivale)
Spanish Bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica)
Nursery Web Spider (Pisaurina mira), on Dandelion (Taraxacum sp)
Pair of Dock Bugs (Coreus marginatus)
Small Parasitic Wasp (unknown species)
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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