Moth Trap: 23rd May 2022 - On Tour to the Scottish Highlands 1/2

Sharing the results from my latest Moth Trap Session. I have written posts about setting up a moth trap and on collecting the results if you want some more background info on how and why I use a Moth Trap

Date: 23rd May 2022

Weather:

So last week we were on holiday, moth trapping in the Cairngorms National Park, the views are stunning and the landscape was new and exciting. I had high hopes of seeing some new species on this night.

The weather forecast for that evening was dull and dreary, with a cold north wind and plenty of rain predicted. Fortunately it turned out that although the rain threatened all evening, and the odd few raindrops fell, it stayed mostly dry until the heavens opened at 2am and I rushed everything inside.

I positioned the trap alongside the wall of the garage, partly for visibility (light reflects of the white surface) but mainly as it offered some shelter if the rain hit.

So... did I find anything new?

Results: 7 moths of 6 species

Summary of Results:

Well as you can see from the table, it was a very SLOW evening, with very little actually happening. I turned the light on at 9:30pm, the Sun set about 10:00pm, and other than the Knotgrass (which had already been found earlier in the evening) I had nothing until 12:15am.

It was cold as well, so I spent most of the night popping in and out of the Lodge to keep warm in between watching the moth trap. Luckily at 12:15 I had just stepped outside when I saw 2 large moths circling the trap. Quick as a flash I swept the net, and caught 2 Scalloped Hazels.

They were not very exciting (and I frequently see these at home), but at least I had something!

Nut-tree Tussock - Colocasia coryli

About 15 minutes later I popped back outside and noticed a moth sat on the white sheet next to the trap. I didn't immediately recognize it, so I quickly popped him in a pot and brought him inside for a closer look... oh! I think thats a Nut-Tree Tussock?

Quick, check the books...

It is!

Nut-tree Tussock - Colocasia coryli

Success! I haven't seen this species before, so its another one I can add to my life list of moths (now standing at 423 in case you were wondering!)

Its also nice to see as it is a moth that is relatively widespread everywhere apart from Lincolnshire, so I would never get to see this at home.

Neofaculta ericetella

Next I potted this tiny little micro moth... again I couldn't immediately recognize it, so I brought it in to photograph it. I ended up relying on some of the moth experts on one of my Facebook groups for the ID for this one, and it turns out to be Neofaculta ericetella, which is another new species.

It might be a slow night, but I'm on a roll!

Ochreous Pug - Eupithecia indigata

Next up is a pokey little Pug Moth...

Lunar Thorn - Selenia lunularia

and then for a Grand Finale, I caught this Thorn Moth. There are a few similar species but the scalloped wing edges (scalloped means the curved shapes for the edge of the wing) makes this one a Lunar Thorn... and you guessed it,, its another new species!

Anyway, at 1.45am the rain started so I quickly turned everything of and brought it all inside.

Bonus pictures for this week:

While waiting for the moths to arrive, I spotted this chunky Carabidae Ground beetle. It was over an inch long, which caught my attention, most of these are half this size.

Ground Beetle - Carabus problematicus

Ground Beetle - Carabus problematicus

With that purple tinge to it it is surprisingly attractive. And no It isn't a artifact due to the purple background, it really did have that purple edge to it, quite a smart looking beetle!

So the final results I had 6 species recorded, and 3 of those were new!

Three in one night is pretty good, especially considering how poor the rest of the nights results were. I think I need to move the trap to a different location and try again for the next session.

I think I'm going to position it on the balcony next time, and you can find out how I get on in the next post.

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