Lots of awful pics to ID! (1 Viewer)

[Angus T]

There was a chap (I think it was Derwick) on the south coast of England who built the ultimate trap. It was more like a flat roofed shed with the light and entry cone on the roof.
When operating it, he used to sit inside the trap examining the moths as they entered it. He caught many thousands of moths that way. I'm not suggesting you go that far as yet.

Harry

Was this an old pillbox (gunpost), think I remember reading something about that.

 

[harry eales]

Was this an old pillbox (gunpost), think I remember reading something about that.

Hello Angus,
I can't remember offhand which book of mine it's in. There is a picture of the trap. If I can find it, assuming I'm not infringing copywrite I'll try scanning it and posting it in here.

Harry.

 

[harry eales]

Hello Angus,
I can't remember offhand which book of mine it's in. There is a picture of the trap. If I can find it, assuming I'm not infringing copywrite I'll try scanning it and posting it in here.

Harry.

Hello Angus,

I have found the photograph of A.J. Derwicks moth trap, it's in A Guide to the Butterflies and Larger Moths of Essex. Essex Naturalists' Trust. 1975.

I cannot scan it, as the book is still 'tight' and it would crack the spine if I tried to flatten it open.

However, it does appear that the collecting chamber is a WW2 concrete 'pill box'. The internal dimensions are given as 11' x 11' x 6' high. The photograph shows A.J.Derwick and J.Firmin standing up inside the collecting chamber, which is lit inside, examining moths which have been attracted by the MV bulb on the roof of the 'pill box' (I wouldn't like to have been the one to chisel a large hole through the 12" reinforced concrete roof). Hundreds of moths can be seen resting on the walls, roof and the lower end of cone leading into the trap base.

A very impressive trap indeed, but hardly portable. lol. I wonder how long it took to empty it in the morning? One thing is fairly certain, it has to be the largest permanently sited moth trap in the country.

Harry

 

[Wandered Scot]

Harri, is there an english or other nordic version of the 'story' or not? Jeg kan dansk, og forsta nok at lese svensk, men ikke nogle finsk!!

Ciao

Jim

 

[hjalava]

Harri, is there an english or other nordic version of the 'story' or not? Jeg kan dansk, og forsta nok at lese svensk, men ikke nogle finsk!!

Ciao

Jim

Jag förstår, men.....it has been written only in Finnish. I'll see if someone has translated the article or will translate it.

Harri

 

[MikeWall]

Hello Angus,

I have found the photograph of A.J. Derwicks moth trap, it's in A Guide to the Butterflies and Larger Moths of Essex. Essex Naturalists' Trust. 1975.

I cannot scan it, as the book is still 'tight' and it would crack the spine if I tried to flatten it open.

However, it does appear that the collecting chamber is a WW2 concrete 'pill box'. The internal dimensions are given as 11' x 11' x 6' high. The photograph shows A.J.Derwick and J.Firmin standing up inside the collecting chamber, which is lit inside, examining moths which have been attracted by the MV bulb on the roof of the 'pill box' (I wouldn't like to have been the one to chisel a large hole through the 12" reinforced concrete roof). Hundreds of moths can be seen resting on the walls, roof and the lower end of cone leading into the trap base.

A very impressive trap indeed, but hardly portable. lol. I wonder how long it took to empty it in the morning? One thing is fairly certain, it has to be the largest permanently sited moth trap in the country.

Harry

Minor point, but it was Mr Dewick, as in .....'s Plusia, not Derwick.

I seem to recall the pill box was also fitted with a suction fan to pull more moths in too...

Mike

 

[harry eales]

Minor point, but it was Mr Dewick, as in .....'s Plusia, not Derwick.

I seem to recall the pill box was also fitted with a suction fan to pull more moths in too...

Mike

Hello Mike your correct it is Dewick as in the plusia. I'm reading letters that aren't there, I must be getting my eyes tested soon.

There's no sign of a fan or at least one visible, but the entry tube below the entry cone is about 12" in dia. so there is room for one.

Harry