Some moths I record in my garden

Mothman

The plan is to show a few of the moths I record in or about my garden.
I trap regularly. UV light with funnel and holding box aka moth trap. Moths rest in it during day and go on their merry way the next night.

If reaction is favourable, I'll make regular updates.
Last 2 nights, about 20 species each night across 4 traps. Weather not great, either cool or windy.
Some nice moths though.

English names used, scientific for species without english name.

Small Phoenix, rests with bum up.


Coleophora albicosta about 9mm long excluding antennae


Powdered Quaker


Flame Carpet


Hebrew Charater, a fresh and a worn one. This gives a good idea of what 2 to 3 weeks of life does. The colour on moths is made up by little scales. These can be rubbed off leaving the moth almost opaque!


I finally got a good photo of Eriocrania subpurpurella. About 5mm long. Abundant on oak trees on which the larvae mine the leaves


Eriocrania subpurpurella with 1 cent coin to try give some perspective.

Kess73

I like those photos. What got you interested in moths in the first place? Are there many different species/ subspecies in Ireland?

Mothman

Always had an interest in nature, but it was specifically a Feathered Thorn at window on a cold Nov night. A common species, but like most moths, I'd never seen it, and the desire to see more grew.

About 1470 species recorded in Ireland, some of them immigrants, but certainly well above 1000 species resident. I don't have an exact count for my garden, but its not far off 600 species. Of course they're not all resident in my garden, but I've got a diverse habitat within a couple km, from coastal margins, to mature woodland and plenty in between.

Compare this to butterflies with about 30 resident and 3-4 regular immigrant species and a few others seen occassionally.

Some Irish websites
www.mothsireland.com
Website by myself. Planned update this year with plenty photos.
www.moths.ie Great photos of most of the larger species. cropping the photos is ongoing so that the moths are bigger on computer screen.
http://www.skylark.ie/donegalmoths/default.asp Website dedicated to larger moths of Donegal.

boneless

What wonderful photos!! Thanks for sharing them. I know very little about moths and butterflys, apart from being able to identify the common ones. I spent good money once on a guide to them but it has been, to my great shame, gathering dust on the shelf for years...:o

artieanna

I don't know much about moths or butterflies either, but I do love to look closely at them. The patterns on their backs are amazing.

Saw a beautiful peacock butterfly last week in an old turf shed.

Thats a smashing macro pic of 'Eriocrania subpurpurella' he small but handsome:D

Mothman

Head up for moth feature on Living the Wildlife on RTE 7pm next tuesday 6th May.
http://www.rte.ie/tv/livingthewildlife/
Link to read more on page.

Boneless, time to get the duster out!

There is a guide for field use published recently.
Concise Guide to the Moths of Great Britian and Ireland.
Townsend, Waring & Lewington.
Guide to all Macro (generally larger) species, covering about 570 out of the 1380 species recorded here in Ireland.

Note the 1470 species mentioned earlier was wrong.

Mothman

A few more from today. Much better weather and the numbers of species is increasing.

Yellow-barred Brindle. Fresh because it is still green. Green fades very quickly. You can see where some scales have been rubbed off on the right wing.


V-pug, small being about 10mm long.


Pale Tussock and a nice view of head. 30mm long



Herald, closeup and next one giving example of camouflage. This moth has been hibernating since last summer.



Least Black Arches, a small moth, about 10mm long and resembles bird poop, so doesn't get gobbled up!

MooseJam

brilliant pics dude, keep it up

Mothman

With the warmer weather, plenty of new species for year.
The first 2 are immigrants, possibly from Africa.

Rush Veneer, note the anntennae rested down over top of body. A characteristic of this family (Pyralidae)
This one about 25mm long.


Diamond-back, probably an immigrant as quite a few have suddenly appeared. A small moth 7-8mm long. They are a pest on brassicas (larvae eating cabbages etc) and commercial crops are often chemically controlled


Early Tooth-striped


Lesser Swallow Prominent


I reckon the last one is probably the only wow moth of this lot, but I think it should be interesting to show the variation, but I will concentrate on uploading the more colourful species.

Mods, stick a 56k warning in thread title if you think appropiate, though I do keep pictures fairly small but there will be a lot of them!

MooseJam

what camera do you use and how do you know the names of all of these ? do you have a reference book or is there a website that lists them all

Alun

Here's one of mine (well, the only one actually!). I believe it's an Oak Eggar moth, possibly a female?

Mothman

MooseJam wrote: »

what camera do you use and how do you know the names of all of these ? do you have a reference book or is there a website that lists them all

Nikon Coolpix 4500. 6yo technology, but I don't think any point and shoot camera since has a better macro facility. I do use a LED light ring to illuminate the moths. Problem is being as close as 2cm puts shadow over the subject.
While the CP 4500 delivers good macro pictures, it has awful focus speed, is poor in low light and I find it quite poor as a general point and shoot.

I've been recording moths nearly 6 years. Steep learning curve first year, but one gets to know the regulars quickly enough.

Moths in Britain and Ireland have generally been divided in Macro (larger moths c575 species in Ireland)) and micro species(c800 species). A single guide book covers the macro species, but a multitude of references are needed for the micros. Most moth recorders overlook most of the micro species.

Plenty of internet sites. The 3 listed in my 3rd post, then there are quite a few others based in Britain. Probably easiest to visit links page on Mothsireland website

I should have mentioned the Butterflies and Moths of Northern Ireland website earlier

Mothman

Alun wrote: »

Here's one of mine (well, the only one actually!). I believe it's an Oak Eggar moth, possibly a female?

It certainly is.
I would like to enter this record in the national database. If willing PM me details. Site, date etc.

MM

Alun

Mothman wrote: »

It certainly is.
I would like to enter this record in the national database. If willing PM me details. Site, date etc.

PM sent.

Mothman

Last night was a much improved night with 48 species logged. Below are some of them.

Spectacle, with the second one showing why it is named such.



Ruddy Highflyer


Esperia sulphurella, I like this one though picture is a little dark. Small, about 7mm long excluding antennae. Note the white on the antennae. Quite often the yellow streak from head towards back is missing. They have yellow hindwings as well. Larva feed on dry dead wood.


Nut-Tree Tussock


Water Carpet


Bright-line Brown-eye

artieanna

Are all the pictured moths common all over Ireland or specific to particular parts of ireland?

I suppose they prefer various different types of plants for feeding too, like you said before brassicae (cabbage family) as one example.

Mothman

artieanna wrote: »

Are all the pictured moths common all over Ireland or specific to particular parts of ireland?

Apart from Pale Tussock yes they are widespread. Pale Tussock generally south of a line from Dublin to Galway

artieanna wrote: »

I suppose they prefer various different types of plants for feeding too, like you said before brassicae (cabbage family) as one example.

Indeed many species are, but they are quite mobile and plenty turn up out of habitat. There are plenty of species that are not restricted to particular habitats.

With regular trapping there are very few gardens that wouldn't record 150+species annually

Mothman

A few from past few nights.


Pebble Hook-tip



Dark-barred Twin-spot Dark form above, red form below



Streamer, The violet tinge fades away after couple days.


Muslin Moth, male. Males in Britain sre dark. See examples


Orange Footman, I'm not aware of previous Irish records. Larvae feed on lichens on mature Oak and Beech trees, both of which are around or near my garden.

MooseJam

that muslin moth is cool, where did you get a uv light ?, can you pick one up in any hardware store ? could you post a pic of the trap I'm curious as to what it looks like

Mothman

MooseJam wrote: »

where did you get a uv light ?, can you pick one up in any hardware store ? could you post a pic of the trap I'm curious as to what it looks like

Busy at moment but will do pictures of trap soon.

A number of different options for lights. One I use is a 15w flourescent tube.
Its a Blacklight UVA tube. The electrics I use came out of a 2 ft fishtank setup.
This needed protecting from the weather. Electris, particularly mains electrics doesn't mix too well with rain.

Electrical supply store probably better than hardware store for sourcing these things.

Moth traps can be bought ready made
Here and another are 2 options.

Kess73

Quite a cool thread, am glad you kept it going. I had always thought that there were about the same amount of moths as butterflies, species wise, in this country, but this thread and your info has taught me otherwise.

Love the pics.

artieanna

I can't believe there are soo many different moths in Ireland.

Thanks for the info!:)

MooseJam

man those traps are pretty expensive and did I say that muslin moth is cool

Mothman

MooseJam wrote: »

and did I say that muslin moth is cool

Yes I believe you did :pac:

MooseJam wrote: »

man those traps are pretty expensive

Yes some certainly are, then there are the books, digital camera...

There are 2 parts to a trap, the light source and the holding container. Obviously DIY can do a good job on the holding container, the electrics need to be water proof, the portable traps have light switches amd need battery, the bulbs are usually €10-15 each. So I think even a DIY effort with electrics will cost near €50.


I haven't done recording past few nights, its been cold and a bright moon. The moon impacts strongly on the amount of moths coming to light.

Mothman

Plenty new species for year last night.
50 species in all.
I took couple quick snaps

Elephant Hawk-moth, first of year. 5cm across. I've had more than 30 in a single trap.


Green carpet

artieanna

They are great...

Leaving the bog the other evening I just by chance saw a really big moth. I mean way bigger than usual and he was clinging to a bit of heather.

He looked like a lots I have seen before white very hairy with small brown marks on the outer edges of his wings. Why so big???


Yesterday near a small river I saw a small pure yellow moth, never seen one of these before!

MooseJam

wow those are pretty impressive, how come none of those ever fly into my house, I just get the standard beige fellow with a fluffy head.

artieanna

hello mothman are you around

Mothman

artieanna wrote: »

hello mothman are you around

Sorry, really busy at moment, and this thread is just too much to keep going for the time being, but I will get back to it.

Mothman

Got round to doing another update. All these in traps on morning of 17th June. Because so long since last update, I've uploaded plenty of pictures. I haven't forgotten about the request to show pictures of traps. I just need to get round to sorting them.

Enjoy!

Foxglove Pug, about 20mm across.


Small Magpie.


Garden Tiger. The orange with blue spots hindwings are flashed to scare off would be preadators


Iron Prominent, the pale patches are where the coloured scales have worn off


Cinnabar Moth. Often see by day, Black and orange striped caterpillars eat ragwort.


Male Ghost Moth. Can often be seen "dancing" (in flight) above grass at dusk.


Poplar Hawk-moth, common and widespread. About 6cm across


Pebble Prominent


Dark Arches


Buff Ermine


Brussels Lace, couldn't get it to settle on a leaf so a camouflage view on tree trunk.


Purple Clay


Shark


Common Marbled Carpet, a very variable species


Ingrailed Clay, like Common Marbled carpet, very variable

Tzetze

Amazing pictures. Some of these moths look so much like bats it's unreal. The Pale Tussock is my favourite pic.

jmkennedyie

Fabulous thread. A real eye-opener.

Mothman wrote: »

There is a guide for field use published recently.
Concise Guide to the Moths of Great Britian and Ireland.
Townsend, Waring & Lewington.
Guide to all Macro (generally larger) species, covering about 570 out of the 1380 species recorded here in Ireland.

I bought that book from amazon but for anyone else considering it I see it is now available from Birdwatch Ireland: http://shop.birdwatchireland.ie. Folks should note that it is optimised for the field...so it doesn't have maps or other background info...for that kind of stuff I think there is a fuller version of the book.

Mothman

Here are some from 27th June. Haven't run traps since, though they are on tonight

A fresh Green Pug and another with practically all green faded. Green colour generally fades quickly.



Marbled White Spot, fairly small being about 12mm long


Female Common White Wave, the males have feathered antennae


Flame Shoulder


Peach Blossom


Brimstone Moth, when fresh they are much more yellow.


Mottles Beauty, quite large being about 5cm across. Very common particularly in woodlands.


Light Emerald, a very fresh specimen. I don't often seem them with the red spots at apex of wing. These usually wear off quite quickly. Another species that is about 5cm across.


All Ingrailed Clay. I have already shown this species earlier, but I thought the 4 together demonstrated how variable this species is


2 views of Buff Arches.

Mothman

jmkennedyie wrote: »

Fabulous thread. A real eye-opener.

I bought that book from amazon but for anyone else considering it I see it is now available from Birdwatch Ireland: http://shop.birdwatchireland.ie. Folks should note that it is optimised for the field...so it doesn't have maps or other background info...for that kind of stuff I think there is a fuller version of the book.

Indeed the bigger version is Called "Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britian and Ireland"
Same plates, but much more text which usually gives detail on status in Ireland and more habitat details and more. No maps. Costs £30, so should be less then €40. Your local bookshop would also get it in.
Despite the name, the concise guide is much better for carrying in field.

gerky

Just to add to this http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/ have this guide and they have free delivery on all books so it would work out a good bit cheaper than amazon.

IrishHomer

Very impresed with the photos submitted especially Mothman, just wondering can you recommend what lens for Canon, i tried some over the weekend but i can't get the quality of yours?

Mothman

IrishHomer wrote: »

Very impresed with the photos submitted especially Mothman, just wondering can you recommend what lens for Canon, i tried some over the weekend but i can't get the quality of yours?

Is this a DSLR?
I've no idea myself as it's a 6 year old compact camera I use for most of my photos. Nikon coolpix 4500. I do use a ring light accessory for many of the photos to light up the moths.

I'm sorting out another series of photos, don't think I'll get it done tonight though.

Roen

IrishHomer wrote: »

Very impresed with the photos submitted especially Mothman, just wondering can you recommend what lens for Canon, i tried some over the weekend but i can't get the quality of yours?

What body do you have? If it's a dSLR like Mothman was saying Canon do a 100mm ƒ2.8 macro, a 50mm compact macro and a 180mm macro or you could also go the third party route. I hear great things about the Sigma 150mm macro for instance.

Ring flashes are almost a necessity though so bear in mind you may have to budget for that too.

Canon also do a lens caled the MP-E 65mm macro which is on the exotic side of what you're looking for.

IrishHomer

I use a Canon 40D DSLR.

Mothman

Ok, another 9 moths, 10 photos.
The last 2 photos of same moth. but look quite different due to different white balance setting on camera.

Dot Moth, about 20mm long,


Lilac Beauty, hard to get photo of moth in focus because the wings are curled up at front and so is more 3 dimensional than most.


Grey Arches, about 25mm long


Double Dart, darker in real life, lightened in photo to reveal a little more detail


Double Square-spot


Scallop Shell, not one I see often, and a little worn, but I had to put it up.


Swallow-tailed Moth, fairly large, about 6cm across. Often seen at dusk, but only as a flash of yellow flying quickly by.



Broad-barred White, smallish being about 15mm long


Next 2 are the same moth! Clay Triple-lines. Since there is some discussion about cameras, I thought I would show how the white balance setting can dramatically change the colour. The 2nd photo is the correct colour, but the first photo would look right for a 2nd brood specimen which are quite different from the first brood.

Roen

Cool shots Mothman. The triple clay is definitely my fave of the lot.

IrishHomer wrote: »

I use a Canon 40D DSLR.

Another cheap route into macro photography would be to just use an existing lens and reverse mount it on the camera via an adaptor. Even if you don't have one a 50mm ƒ1.8 with reverse adaptor won't come to more than about €120 from eBay.

Also at the budget end of the scale would be close up filters and and extension rings, any of the above will allow you into the world of macro photography and won't break the bank!

Mothman

Last few months have conspired against me for moth recording and in particular up dating this thread, but I did get some photos from couple nights ago. Not many species about now, but there are moths on the wing throughout winter.

Merveille du Jour, didn't have time to properly hide it in thick lichen on an oak tree trunk, but you get the idea of how it camouflages.


Close up.


Mottled Umber, usually rests with hind wings hidden, but it had just flown out of trap and settled on a nearby branch.


Feathered Thorn, no problem seeing how this one hides.


It was this species that got me into recording moths. I didn't expect to see something fluttering at the window on a freezing November night

AlanSparrowhawk

nice one, great photos, mucho appreciatied.

Alun

Excellent! Does the Feathered Thorn stay exactly that colour all the time, or does it's colour change as the leaves change?

Mothman

Moths are covered in scales, such as on a fish, and it's the scales that give the colour. The colour does not change, though they do fade with time, green in particular fades quickly. The scales are easily rubbed (and washed off) off both moths and butterflies and I've seen some that are opaque, having practically lost all scales. This can happen after a dip in a puddle.

Back to Feathered Thorn, and as with most species there is variability within the species, and some are lighter, particularly females.

MooseJam

could I ask where you live, would you get many of those in Dublin ?

Mothman

Rural Ashford.

Yes most of the species in this thread would be about in suburban Dublin.
Once there are a few shrubs about, its amazing what diversity there is, also moths are quite mobile and turn up out side of habitat. Native trees nearby greatly enhance the moth fauna.
Typically there is not much of a winter season, and moth recorders in more urban areas often record nothing from Nov to March.

Mothman

Mothman wrote: »

Back to Feathered Thorn, and as with most species there is variability within the species, and some are lighter, particularly females.

The Feathered Thorns I got today illustrate the above point well.
The pale one is the female


This one is a Common Quaker, but out of season, abundant in Spring

kincsem

This is a fantastic thread, probably the most interesting on boards. I am amazed that there are so many moth species about. The photos are top class and so beautiful. I like it when people have interesting hobbies, and share them with us.

P.S. How did you pick your name, Mothman?

Funkyzeit

kincsem wrote: »

This is a fantastic thread, probably the most interesting on boards. I am amazed that there are so many moth species about. The photos are top class and so beautiful. I like it when people have interesting hobbies, and share them with us.

P.S. How did you pick your name, Mothman?

Agree - fabulous fabulous pictures - Keep em Coming !!!

Mothman

Some from last night. There won't be much apart from December Moths and Winter Moths between now and late January, so don't expect more new photos. I still intend to upload pictures of a couple moth traps........another day!

Brick, from a distance fairly plain, but does have fine markings


Another Feathered Thorn, one of about 30 I recorded last night


Satellite, this species hibernates.


Common Marbled Carpet, note I've already featured this species in post #30 but it looks quite different!


December Moth, first of season


Winter Moth, also first of season and most often seen at house windows as tungsten lights attract it quite well. This moth is about 15mm long whereas all of the above range 20-25mm long.