January 2015 Moths (1 Viewer)

[Paul Chapman]

A December Moth in the trap starts the 2015 Leps yearlist. Last year's yearlist got to about 900 but this year I hope to make a more concerted effort to get to 1,000.

All the best

 

[Paul Chapman]

The excitement continued apace this morning- 2nd January - with a Light Brown Apple Moth bringing my 2015 Lepidoptera total to 2.........

With this excitement, I intend to get the battery-operated actinics charged up for a trip out at a suitable juncture.

All the best

 

[Paul Chapman]

Anyone else out there?

A dusk drive failing to hear any owls on the patch produced good numbers of Winter Moth with c50 seen taking the Leps yearlist to a mighty three. The pace can't carry on.

All the best

 

[dantheman]

I'm here and fully intending to run the trap for a few hours one evening or two - never seen Winter or December Moth unfortunately.

From previous years threads think a lot of people tend to mothball (unfortunate word to use) their traps for the winter ...



Am on 1. for the year though - on the first we disturbed a White-shouldered House-moth from inside one of the food cupboards in the kitchen. Exciting times!

 

[Andy1979]

I'm here. I have even acquired a generator for Christmas! Just waiting for the weather. Really cold or really windy in Kent so far this year.

 

[Andy1979]

Last night seemed mild enough for some trapping, so my garden trap managed to hold:

LBAM - 1
Twenty-Plumed- 1

Year list = 2

Andy M

 

[Paul Chapman]

Scarce Umber takes me to 4 but alas I didn't see a friend's Silver Y. Hoping to get that one back during the remaining 360 odd days.....

All the best

 

[Andy1979]

I thought Friday was looking really good with a min temp of 12C and dry, but the wind is now shown at 24-26mph. I think that is probably a little to strong even in woodland.

Andy M

 

[Andy1979]

We went for it anyway, despite the wind. Three of us up to Dartford Heath with 4 traps from 5-8pm then down to 2 traps until 9.45pm. We managed to tuck out the wind and conditions seemed pretty good with a temperature of 15c!

We caught the following moths:

Early Moth - 5
Winter Moth - 1
Agnopterix umbellana - 1
Mottled Umber - 5
Dark Chestnut - 1

Not bad for January.

Andy M (Tittletattler and James H).

 

[toby]

Well here's my January contribution. A Noctuid found in the kitchen. Grateful if someone could tell me what it is. - Toby

Edit: Should add, it was small. About Small Quaker size.

 

[Andy1979]

Pale Mottled Willow.

 

[toby]

Pale Mottled Willow.

Doh! I went through the noctuidae section of the book about ten times and managed to miss it every go. Obvious now. Thanks Andy.

 

[James Hunter]

From the garden this week:

Winter Moth
Early Moth
Hebrew Character

Regards

James

 

[Bananafishbones]

you are all brave and hardy souls......

 

[Andy1979]

Some moths can only be seen at this time of the year so get out there!

 

[Bananafishbones]

Some moths can only be seen at this time of the year so get out there!

I am a whimp |;|

 

[MSA]

Whilst I am happy to venture into my garden whatever the weather, is there any point in putting the trap out when the temperature is going to be sub-zero all night, or does all moth activity stop when it's below freezing?

 

[Paul Chapman]

Whilst I am happy to venture into my garden whatever the weather, is there any point in putting the trap out when the temperature is going to be sub-zero all night, or does all moth activity stop when it's below freezing?

There are stories of moths which are used to flying in very cold conditions doing so eg Rannoch Sprawler but the reality is that it all stops down south.

My only year tick since the Scarce Umber (4th) is Case-bearing Clothes Moth (10th) taking me to 5 for the year. Pleased they are still going!

Jealous of those that have got in the field this year.

All the best

 

[Andy1979]

I won't bother trapping if it's under 7c. At this time of year, it's just about waiting for the right conditions and going for it.

Even if it's windy, a decent sheltered site can still attract some moths.

Andy M.

 

[MSA]

Thanks Paul and Andy - I'll wait for a night when there's no rain forecast for the morning and when it's not supposed to freeze and see how it goes!