Moths at Saron

 

More good numbers on Friday with 70 macro species (177 moths) and 23 micro species (59 moths). I spent a long time trying to ID the one below that I had never seen before – a 12mm individual that I thought was a micro – although I did check the macros too before giving up and turning to Sam for help. He confirmed it was the tiny macro, Oak Nycteoline, (apparently having a good year as they like the heat), which I see from previous posts does cause confusion. Last night’s catch was significantly lower – weather cooler and quite windy here.

Last week we had a Humming-bird Hawkmoth here on our red valerian.

Ian was wondering how long the Clearwing pheromone lures last. Mine are in their third year (stored carefully in the freezer after use). I used mine last Thursday for Lunar Hornet, Yellow-legged, Six-belted, Red-tipped, Currant and Red-belted. We have good habitat here for all these species. Within a few minutes of setting up the one for the Lunar Hornet, I trapped a male, the third year in a row in our wet woods. Sadly, none of the other species were found although Sam said to try again for the Red-tipped as they seem to be later this year, so I will do this.