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: 6th September 2025
Weather:
My last trapping session was almost 4 weeks ago on the 15th August. In August, it was obvious that the season was changing, and there were lot of new species to record as Summer is ending and we get ready to move into Autumn.
Now we are into September, and the seasonal changes are well underway. I've been walking into work all of last week, and there is a definite chill in the air first thing in the morning (its been quite nice actually, the weather has been far to hot this year!). The warmth of the sun does appear to still be around, and the afternoons are still warm, but when the sun sets, the temperatures drop sharply.
We've also had some rain earlier in the week, but the last couple of days have been drier again. Conditions are actually pretty good for the time of year, with a South-easterly breeze that will bring both warm air and potential migrant species up from the south. The only negative is that it is forecast for clear skies, which means a full moon and cooler temps
But hey I'm here, the trap is set up... and we shall see what turns up tonight
Lights on, pots at the ready... Here. We. Go!
Due to the wind, I've had to hastily add some weight to the sheet, hence the brick on the right hand side, and the tin of beans in the middle
Results: 26 moths of 15 species
Summary of Results:
As it has been 4 weeks since the last session, and with Autumn beginning, I fully expect to see some different species this time round... unfortunately I was disapointed to see that the wind had picked up, and it was getting quite blustery at times. Moths are only little, and not particularly like flying about in strong winds.
You can see by my total that the numbers were significantly down from 4 weeks ago. Despite that there were some interesting records
During a Moth session back in June, I found a new species to the garden list - the Box Tree Moth. It was exciting as it is a species that is newly arrived upon these shores, and is rapidly moving up the country. Last night I saw 3, 2 of which was of the standard colour form (white with a black margin as below):
Box-tree Moth - Cydalima perspectalis
However the 3rd specimen was all back:
Box-tree Moth - Cydalima perspectalis - melanic form
This is a process known as melanism, and in its simplest terms, it refers to an excess of pigmentation in the cells, which makes the individual look darker. It is a condition that affects a wide variety of moths along with many other creatures around the world
Melanism example - Peppered Moths (source)
After brief distraction on natural history, I carried on looking for more moths. With the wind still playing its part, the evening was passing slowly, and there was very little activity taking place.
Orange Swift - Triodia sylvina
Small Dusty Wave - Idaea seriata
Square-spot Rustic - Xestia xanthographa
A notable record was this Ruby Tiger, below.
Ruby Tiger - Phragmatobia fuliginosa
Its a common enough species here, and I'd expect to see several of these through out the Summer months, the fact that this is the first time I have recorded this species this year (in September no less) is very strange.
In fact there is a whole host of species 'missing' that I would have expected to have seen by now:
Poplar Hawkmoth - Laothoe populi
Privet Hawkmoth - Sphinx ligustri
Small Magpie - Anania hortulata
Gold Spot - Plusia festucae
Copper Underwing - Amphipyra pyramidea
Common Emerald - Hemithea aestivaria
Peppered Moth - Biston betularia
Common Swift - Korscheltellus lupulina
I know the weather has been out of sorts for the past few years, but can this be enough to explain all of these absences? I did miss some trapping in July this year, but I would've hoped to have seen some of the above. And with the Summer drawing to a close, I'll have to hope I'll see them next year instead
Back to tonight's session... it was approaching midnight, and it was starting to feel cold. There was time for just one more species - the Canary-shouldered Thorn...
Canary-shouldered Thorn - Ennomos alniaria
...and then it was time to turn of the trap and put everything way
15 species (comprising of 26 individuals) isn't a bad result, and there will be time for a couple more sessions before I finish Moth Recording for this year. And theres still some more Autmnal species to look out for such as the Merveile du Jour, and the Centre-barred Sallow
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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