Hi there,
A query for you experienced moth-ers.
At this time of year, what is the minimum temperature that makes it worth putting a trap out. I've tried a couple of times since NewYear's Day with no success at all. Also, I have recently seen moths in the car headlights when it's drizzling. Is a night with rain forecast a definite waste of time or not?
All guidance welcome!
Thanks and best wishes, David
Hi David,
ReplyDeleteAt this time of year most moth activity tends to be in the hours immediately after dark, so even if the daytime temperature has remained only a few degrees above freezing then I always find it is worth trying the light for a couple of hours. That said, last night was the first for me this year which produced a result and I would have thought at least one or two of the earlier ones were suitable! January is always a slow month in gardens and you would have much better luck trapping in woodland. Many of the species which fly now have wingless females so that's where most of the males are going to be.
...and please don't forget that each post on the Blog needs a title. Click on "Title" over to the left above the tool-bar!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Dave - and yes I realised I’d forgotten a title - but too late!!
DeleteDavid
It is perhaps worth reminding everyone that, if you feel so inclined, you can always edit or add/remove pictures on any of your own posts after they have been published. If you click on the yellow 'pencil' symbol at the bottom of the post it will take you back to the message compilation page.
ReplyDeleteFrom my experience. Drizzle or quite heavy rain is certainly not a problem. Wind and bright moonlight certainly depress catches. My garden seems a little more sheltered if the wind is from the south-west but anything else is a problem. As far as temperature is concerned if it is forecast to be below 4 degrees all night I probably would not put the trap out.
ReplyDeleteVery helpful, Andy - thank you.
ReplyDeleteDavid
I always do a trap on a Friday for the Garden Moth Scheme; as the trap is on all night I can't guarantee whether it was as cold when the moth arrived, but my coldest night with a moth this season was 1.6C.
ReplyDelete