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: 24th April 2026
Weather:
After the 'success' of the first session of the new year, where I recorded the first moth of 2026, I've decided to have another attempt at it this evening.
It's only been a week since the last session, and I hadn't planned to do it so soon afterwards, but I suspect I've gotten carried away with the weather. It's been a whole week of glorious sunshine, and each day has felt warmer than the last.
I checked the weather forecast, and it looks to keep getting better all weekend. The best time appears to be Sunday evening, but that is not an option, as I need to be up for work at 6am on Monday morning. It was a choice between Saturday night or tonight (Friday) and in the end I picked tonight as the wind is blowing from the South. In my experience a southerly wind is always better than blowing from the North (which is the direction on Saturday evening)
I suspect I've been misled, and that this evening will suddenly turn really cold (as is expected for the time of year lol) but stuff it, the trap is out ready... lets see what I can get
Anyway, enough waffle...
Lights on, pots at the ready... Here. We. Go!
Results:
Summary - Part 1
Yep you guessed it... the sun went down, and the temperature dropped like a stone. I left the trap alone as dusk fell and stayed inside doing other stuff. I did pop out briefly at 10:15 to check the trap and nothing.
I checked again at 11:30 and there was a tiny little moth - a Light Brown Apple Moth
Light Brown Apple Moth - Epiphyas postvittana
Welp... it is technically the first time I've seen this species this year, and takes my total see to a grand total of TWO, but yeah, it's not very exciting.
I did have a look around the surrounding walls and plant leaves in case I could spot something hidden away, but nope... nothing else to see yet.
It's been a long and busy week at work, and I'm pretty tired. Instead of waiting up and hoping something else turns up, I decided it'll be best to just to go to bed now, and then I can be up at 5:50 tomorrow morning as before the sun rises, and see if anything else has appeared
Summary - Part 2
I got up in the morning to have a look, and can report that there was nothing new, just that little Light Brown Apple Moth sat in the trap, minding its own business.
It didn't help that I had set the wrong time on my alarm clock... I aimed to get up just before the sun rose, but it was already daylight by the time I headed downstairs and out into the garden, but I doubt it would have made much difference this morning lol
Nevermind.
I need to remember it is still early in the season, and still need to give it a couple more weeks for various species to emerge
In other news, today is shaping up to be another spectacular day in the sunshine. It is the weekend, so it's time to crack on with chores, and this weekend they are mostly outside. I have the grass to cut, and LOTS of weeding to do... the picture above shows the back garden, but I need to do the front as well. I also need to tidy up the borders as well, as they are becoming a little but unruly. I like a wild garden, but it is in the verge of getting out of hand.
And of course I'll make sure there is a camera on had as I expect there to be lots of invertebrate activity in the sunshine too... if I find anything interesting, I'll share some pics here later
And on that note, I'll put the trap away. I'll be back some time in the middle of May, and hopefully I should have some more moths by 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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