moth trapping

		I developed an interest in moths many years ago. Originally, this interest revolved around the breeding and rearing of some of our native hawk-moths. After this interest lapsed in the mid-1980's, it took many more years before an interest in moths was again rekindled. This time the interest concerned all moths found within the Eakring area - their identification, populations and occurrences. The study has come to occupy a large percentage of the time I now spend out in the field, although most of my time is still dedicated to the study of the area's birds. Observing and recording moths can become inherently addictive to anyone with an interest in natural history - a fact that I can testify to. It is also an important and still largely neglected occupation.

Although Nottinghamshire is generally well-covered as a whole, there is still alot of work to be done to create a truly accurate picture of this aspect of the county's fauna. Observing moths There are many ways which people can observe or attract moths. Day-flying species are relatively easy to observe in the correct habitat, but species variety is quite restricted here. More species start flying during the late evening period before it gets dark and these can be netted for identification purposes and then released. Quite a number of the records I gather during the year, involve moths found at rest on tree trunks, fences and walls (two out of three Red Underwing records have come courtesy of the local pub wall) Moths can also be found in the early stages of their life-cycle as caterpillars or pupae on their respective foodplants. Sugaring is another method of attracting adult moths. A mixture of Black Treacle and Red Wine, boiled together and left to cool, being very popular with some moths when painted in strips on fence posts or the like. Apparently this works best during the early months of the year and is a method that I will also be employing this year. Putting a name to any moth one comes across is not always easy and there are currently well over 2000 species of moths in the UK. I believe that the Eakring and Kersall area should comfortably hold around 400-500 different species of both micro and macro moths. Currently the area list stands in the region of 260 and progress has been slow up until 2003, when I began to trap moths with the aid of a portable camping lantern.

Trapping with a portable lantern

Before the availability of an MV light, I spent much time looking around for a portable (and suitable) light to at least make some progress in attracting more species than had been possible previously.

Initial trials using a portable, battery operated lantern made by Coleman, an American-based company, were successful. The lantern used two 4 watt .6" standard flourescent tubes, powered by a rechargeable battery, which (the makers claim) can be recharged up to 1000 times before replacement.

The whole lantern is encased inside a tough perspex cover, providing either 180 or 360 degree lighting and allows single or double bulb use. The lantern can run for six hours operating both bulbs, or nine hours running a single bulb. It's also light-weight, easily portable and the £30 price is little in comparison to the expense of portable MV set-ups.

Hare Hill Wood in early Spring

First trials began in early March, running the light sat on a white ground sheet. It's a time of year when relatively few moths are on the wing, but initial trapping sessions in Lound Wood proved very successful, attracting several sought-after early species'.

Trials continued throughout the year and trapping with such a light certainly proved to be successful, with well over 1000 moths attracted during the course of the year. Although nightly trapping counts were small in comparison to the greater potential of an MV light, it was still a big step forward into discovering just what species the area's habitats held.


2004 sees even greater steps into attracting and identifying the moths here; with the building of a 125W mercury vapour light trap. Purchasing a portable generator takes care of the electrical supply needed to power such a light, when situated miles from the nearest mains power. Moth-trapping with an MV light After spending many nights during 2003 trapping moths with the portable lantern, it was decided that the move to trapping with a mercury vapour light was a neccessity, in order to attract as many species as possible during any trapping session. Mercury vapour is the most common light source used by serious entomologists. It attracts many more moths/species than any other form of light, but the draw back when trapping at sites 10 miles away from home, is the lack of a mains power-source.

Lound Wood		To overcome this, the purchase of a portable generator is essential, but usually comes at a huge price and is well out of many people's budget restrictions. Luckily a cheaper model has recently been made available at a fraction of the price and so trapping with an MV light in the area, has finally become possible. Having permission by the owners of Lound Wood and Hare Hill Wood (both strictly private) is essential. Access to sites owned by the Kingston Estate is rarely given to members of the public and I am fortunate to have built an excellent relationship with the gamekeepers of the Estate. It's a relationship that works both ways. I get the chance to freely cover the entire area and they get added deterrent against potential poachers. With full access granted to both the area's private woodlands, light-trapping counts during 2004 should be vastly in excess of those achieved last year. Many more new species should also be attracted.