Thursday, July 01, 2010

Caught in a trap

Last night we switched on the moth trap for the first time in ages. And regretted not having done it sooner.

It was amazing. We caught 20 hawkmoths!!! and a load of other stuff. There's a [provisional] list at the bottom of this post, but I'm embarrassed to say we didn't bother trying to count most of the... small brown ones. Didn't have time, don't have a clue. Some revision is required before trying that.

If you think there's something improbable in the list and I've messed up an ID, please say :o)

Privet Hawkmoth
One of the 11 Privet Hawkmoths - it's surprising there was room for them all!

Moth trap
Here's the trap all set last night. It's basically a wooden box with a plastic roof and a big bulb on top. Inside are eggboxes for the moths to hide in.

Caught in a trap
In the morning, a rolled-up copy of The Guardian is the perfect fit to stop moths escaping from the slot

In the book
A Common Emerald, showing off just how much it looks like Richard Lewington's superb illustration

The elephants marched in two by two...
Elephant (left) and Small Elephant Hawkmoths

Eyed Hawkmoth
Eyed Hawkmoth - one I'd never seen before!

Common Wainscot
A humble Common Wainscot

More photos are on Flickr

Here's the full run-down:


  • Dark Arches, 19
  • Common Wainscot (well, maybe wainscot sp), 14
  • Common Footman, 11
  • Privet Hawkmoth, 11!
  • Flame-shoulder, 7
  • Setaceous Hebrew Character, 7
  • Elephant Hawkmoth, 5
  • Heart & Dart, 5
  • Willow Beauty, 4
  • Mother of Pearl, 3
  • Buff-tip, 2
  • Double Square-spot, 2
  • Light Arches, 2
  • Small Magpie, 2
  • Snout, 2
and in alphabetical order:
  • Brimstone, 1
  • Brown-line Bright Eye, 1
  • Buff Arches, 1
  • Burnished Brass, 1
  • Common Emerald, 1
  • Green Silver-lines, 1
  • Eyed Hawkmoth, 1
  • Iron Prominent, 1
  • Large Yellow Underwing, 1
  • Lime Hawkmoth, 1
  • Peppered Moth, 1
  • Small Elephant Hawkmoth, 1
  • Square Spot, 1
  • The Spectacle, 1
  • Treble Lines, 1
photos taken with Canon Powershot A640

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