Butterfly Conservation



How to see moths in your gardenIn the UK, there are over 2500 moth species, which massively outnumbers the 59 species of butterfly. So, after a day of observing the butterflies that occur in our gardens, why not turn your attention to their mostly nocturnal relatives? Not all moths are brown and boring either with most being elaborately patterned and are brightly coloured. There are many methods we can use to see the amazing variety of moths that fly through our gardens every night, so here are a few ways in which we can observe them.DuskingBy far the easiest way to see moths is at dusk is by using a torch as it begins to get dark and is a great activity for children to get involved with. Searching nearby vegetation often reveals males hurriedly flying past in search of a female, who can usually be found nearby saving her energy by waiting for the male. Searching nearby nectar sources is also a great way to find moths. With Hawthorn just about to come into flower, why not go out into the garden and have a look for yourself? Small nets can be purchased at NHBS if you want to catch and identify any moths you see. Small glass jars are perfect for putting any moth finds in whilst you observe and identify them. 028448000Household lightsLeaving the porch light on overnight is another easy way to attract moths and doesn’t require any equipment. Any moths that have been attracted will be found at rest on the wall nearby. The bathroom also makes a great moth trap. Simply leave the light on and the window open slightly during late Spring and Summer and you are sure to attract moths. Just make sure they are released afterwards!Sheet and lightThe sheet and light method involves suspending a bulb or torch over an old white bed sheet. The sheet allows you to see what has been attracted to the light. Without it, they would be difficult to see amongst any ground vegetation. You could even peg the sheet on the washing line, which also stops it from getting dirty. Traditionally, this method is used to record moths in more remote field locations which uses a powerful mercury vapour bulb and is powered using either a generator or from a mains supply. These bulbs require a choke and are sensitive to rainfall as they get quite hot so care must be taken if considering this method.Moth trapsMoth traps are the most common method of observing moths and are excellent if you are wanting to get into recording moths regularly. They basically use an insect-attracting light with a box that provides somewhere for the moths to hide once inside. These can be expensive to buy, but there are some more reasonably priced options available. It may be better to try and make one as they can be relatively cheap in comparison. Household items such as buckets and storage boxes can be used as containers however, they can take time to make so it is probably best to try other methods first before committing. There are a wealth of tutorials available online. Identification resourcesThere are lots of identification resources available online. Our What’s Flying Tonight webpage can help with identifications and give an idea of which moths might be found in the garden on any given evening. Please share your moth finds with us on social media @BC_Lancs, we can even help with any identification queries. ................
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