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: 26th September 2025
Weather:
My last trapping session was almost 3 weeks ago on the 6th September. The last post showed the start of Autumn appearing, and I can confirm to you know we are right in the middle of Autumn now. The afternoons are still relatively warm in the sunshine, but the temperatures drop sharply into the evening and overnight. We've not had frost yet, but a couple of mornings this week have been close!
I've walked to work at 6:30am several times this week, and can attest, its pretty chilly first thing!
I've moved the moth trap closer to the house, on the edge of the patio. This helps provide some shelter, and also some warmth from the house. Also means I don't need to traipse down the garden each time, so will be easier to watch and manage it over the course of the evening
The change in temp is the most obvious thing, but its also been quite damp at times with rain showers passing through regularly. Yesterday and today has been a little more settled, and as there is rain due tomorrow evening, I decided that if I'm running a session at all this weekend, then it HAS to be to tonight!
On the plus side, there is going to be some reasonable cloud cover (help keep the temps up) and the wind is both gentle and in a southerly direction, which is good for migrant species. Migrant species travel here from the European continent, and autumn is the best time to find some interesting species.
So I'm here, the trap is ready...
Lights on, pots at the ready... Here. We. Go!
Results:
Summary of Results:
Meh... I wasn't expecting much, and from the start there was very little to see. It was dark by 7:30pm, and after 4 hours I had grand total of 4 moths:
2x Shuttle-shaped Darts:
Shuttle-shaped Dart - Agrotis puta (female on left, male on right)
1x Lesser Yellow Underwing:
Lesser Yellow Underwing - Noctua comes
and then resting high above the door frame on the side of the house was 1 x Red-green Carpet:
Red-green Carpet - Chloroclysta siterata
An interesting looking species, mostly green, but with random patches of red that random catch the light
It wasn't looking brilliant to be honest. And thats all due to the conditions, and the time of year. The nights are cold and dark, and there is a corresponding decrease in activity levels. One the plus side of the longer nights in Autumn, it is dark earlier in the evening, and the sun rises later the following morning.
This means I will be able to get to bed and have a decent nights kip, and then I can be up at 6 just as dawn is breaking.
On that note, I'm going to head to bed... and cross my fingers that I'll get something intersting in the morning!
Part Two
So after heading to bed at midnight, my alarm woke me up at 6am. It was still dark, but I could see a glimmer of sunlight in the distance... I walked down the stairs and out on the patio and was surprised to see so many moths when I opened up the trap.
Usually when I turn the trap off at midnight, I let them all disperse into the darkness. As the sun was coming up, these would all be potential food for the early morning birds, and a it is my actions have have left hem exposed here, I decided to pot them all up as below
All the moths were safely kept inside the house, ready for me to take some pictures, and then I'll release them later this evening, when it gets dark again
There some different moths to be seen now, all of which have an Autumn flight time, (i.e. they are adults between August and October)
These included:
Black Rustic - Aporophyla nigra
Considering the boring 'black' name, I think think this is quite a pretty moth, with subtle and easily overlooked markings... I love the hint of white on each of the kidney spots in the middle of the wing
Brown-spot Pinion - Anchoscelis litura
Brown-spot Pinion is not a common species in my garden, so this is a great record
Lunar Underwing - Anchoscelis lunosa
Lunar Underwing - Anchoscelis lunosa
There is somevariability in the Lunar Underwings, but they both feature a 'netted' look with those criss-crossing white lines on the wings
And so after all that, my final count was as follows... 21 Moths of 8 Species
A pretty good night in the end! Definitely was worth keeping the trap on overnight and checking it the following morning :-)
I think I have one last trapping opportunity for this year, probably near the middle/end of October (there still some species to appear search as Frosted Orange and Merville du Jour
What will happen next time? Will it be busy and chaotic? Will it be quieter? Will I find something new to record?
Well, once again, there is only one way to find out!
Notes on Pictures: Since I started moth trapping 5 years ago, I have been slowly building up collection of Library Images. The idea being that once I have taken a picture of a particular species of Moth, I don't need another picture of the same species a year later. It’s a waste of time and energy. I only take pictures of new species, or of moths that are difficult to ID, so I can get the records verified.
While in my care, all individuals are looked after, and after Photographs have been taken, they are all released safely outside.
All names confirmed and checked via Wikispieces
Further Research from UK Moths and NatureSpot
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I love the fancy fur collar on that Lunar Underwing!
Yeah well, she's gotta keep warm... its getting chilly in the evening as we head into Autumn!
I hope you're doing ok by the way? not seen you posting much recently...
I was off for a bit, back but posting less because I'm feeling over-screened. Our old kitty passed on over the summer and it was hard. New kitty is helping mend our broken hearts.
Sorry for your loss 💔 The new addition seems to have slotted in nicely, ready for new adventures
Ah yes, I hear you on the screen time overload. I used to try really hard to post/comment regularly, and now I just check in when I'm motivated.... will look out for your random musings whenever you decide to post them!
That turned out good in the end. They are a lot more varied than people think. Has the Jersey Tiger made it up your way? I saw some for the first time this year and they are quite flashy.
!BEER
I've not seen Jersey Tigers yet... but they are rapidly moving up the country, so really hope to see them soon!
They are very flashy moths, quite similar to the closely related Scarlet Tiger, which is also expanding its range northwards
Beautiful! Hope it will visit you, sooner.
Well the Lunar Underwing was the favorite this time around but the name Flounced Rustic caught my eye. I was curious about the Red-green Carpet but the photo didn't show the green so well. I expect at end of season, colors are more muted. Looking forward to the last one in October.
Ah well I think I've made an error... the Flounced Rustic might actually be a Deep Brown Dart:
Still very boring though, and like you say, the moths get duller and drabber this time of year
I'm still hopeful for some colourful species like the Merveil du jour and the pink barred sallow... will see what October brings!
Now I hope you get those 2! They are lovely!
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