Magical Moths

At long last much warmer overnight temperatures have resulted in a far higher catch. I use a 15w Actinic Skinner trap to catch garden moths.

Catch Report for Thursday, 20th May, 2010
Minimum temperature 11.4 degrees centigrade

White Ermine 1
Green Carpet 1
Oak Hook Tip 1
Small Phoenix 1
Shuttle Shaped Dart 2
Heart and Dart 1
Flame Shoulder 1
Light Brown Apple Moth 2
Epiblema cynosbatella 1

All species are new for 2010 and all, except light brown apple moth, are new garden ticks.

I have posted below a few images to show the wonderful variety of moths. The photos are all heavily cropped as I do not have a macro lens for my digital slr and have to make do with the macro option on the standard lens. I am full of admiration for bloggers who get perfect images with moths posing on leaves and twigs. I just don't know how they do it. I rarely manage this as despite, chilling in the fridge, they become very active almost as soon as I get them out and can't wait to flutter off so some moth photos are taken when they are still in the container - not very aesthetic but at least I get a poor record shot!!





Flame Shoulder



Small Phoenix



Waved Umber




White Ermine

As mentioned in a previous post I have only been trapping garden moths since last August so if any of the above identifications are wrong, please feel free to correct me.