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Moth trap (1 Viewer)

Lewisjm70

Member
United Kingdom
Hi all, very new to moths and moth trapping. I’m a macro photographer and I’m looking to document the moths around my area. I’ve made a moth trap and tried it out three times, once in a wooded ravine and twice in the back garden but have failed to trap any moths. The other night I had more success when a white plume moth stayed on my back door! I’ll attach some images of the trap but I’m not sure where I’m going wrong. The trap goes out at about 10.30pm and the battery lasts till about 3am. I check the trap around 6am. The nights have been warm/mild and dry. I’ve used a 22.5cm funnel and placed egg boxes in the bucket. Any help would be much appreciated.
 

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Hi all, very new to moths and moth trapping. I’m a macro photographer and I’m looking to document the moths around my area. I’ve made a moth trap and tried it out three times, once in a wooded ravine and twice in the back garden but have failed to trap any moths. The other night I had more success when a white plume moth stayed on my back door! I’ll attach some images of the trap but I’m not sure where I’m going wrong. The trap goes out at about 10.30pm and the battery lasts till about 3am. I check the trap around 6am. The nights have been warm/mild and dry. I’ve used a 22.5cm funnel and placed egg boxes in the bucket. Any help would be much appreciated.
Nice one! Welcome to BF (and moth trapping) - ;)

Is it an accepted design, or your own one? Others may be able to help more, but my thoughts are - Are the LED lights of a suitable wavelength? Can I see a gap between the clear plastic funnel and the body of the trap? (moths could get out, although maybe that's a moot point if they aren't going in to start with), and thirdly, usually (?) there are vertical vanes running upwards which direct the moths down into the trap, which I can't see here, a bit like the fins on a dart.
 
Nice one! Welcome to BF (and moth trapping) - ;)

Is it an accepted design, or your own one? Others may be able to help more, but my thoughts are - Are the LED lights of a suitable wavelength? Can I see a gap between the clear plastic funnel and the body of the trap? (moths could get out, although maybe that's a moot point if they aren't going in to start with), and thirdly, usually (?) there are vertical vanes running upwards which direct the moths down into the trap, which I can't see here, a bit like the fins on a dart.
Thanks for the reply. It’s a DIY job I did off another site. Not sure about the vertical vanes, do I add them onto the light with the thick part at the top thinking to the bottom?
 
I suspect your moths are escaping for a couple of hours when your lamp goes out at around 3.00am. You really need the light to stay on until dawn.

Tony
 
Thanks for the reply. It’s a DIY job I did off another site. Not sure about the vertical vanes, do I add them onto the light with the thick part at the top thinking to the bottom?

Vanes should ideally be angled at the bottom to fit in the funnel and probably be square at the top running the full height of the light.


I suspect your moths are escaping for a couple of hours when your lamp goes out at around 3.00am. You really need the light to stay on until dawn.

Tony

Agreed -Powering down at 3 isn't ideal, look at batteries with longer run time (I use a 12v LiPO designed for scooters).
 
Vanes should ideally be angled at the bottom to fit in the funnel and probably be square at the top running the full height of the light.




Agreed -Powering down at 3 isn't ideal, look at batteries with longer run time (I use a 12v LiPO designed for scooters).
Great thanks.
 

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