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| Our Homemade Moth Trap |
A break in the wet weather along with a recent news article reporting on the
re-discovery of the once locally extinct Small Ranunculus moth, has inspired us
to set up a moth trap at the Attenborough Nature Centre. With well over 1000
species of plant and animal having been recorded on the Reserve since the
1960’s (including some 220 macro moths), we thought it would be a great
opportunity to learn a little more about some of our less seen nocturnal
inhabitants – and hopefully see the Small Ranunculus moth for ourselves.
As the trap was to be left overnight, we chose to use a low
voltage UV blacklight bulb to attract the moths, set upon a waterproof plastic
container that would withstand any unexpected rain showers. The UV bulb would
not attract as many moths as the typically used 125w mercury vapour bulbs,
however they use far less energy than MV bulbs and are somewhat less obtrusive.
Cardboard egg boxes in the bottom of the container provide shelter for the
moths in the trap where they settle overnight before being identified and
released the following morning.
Our first trapping session on the 22nd July
produced very few individuals; a single Large Yellow Underwing, a Common Rustic
and two Dark Arches. However, it was not the moth trap that provided the
excitement the following morning! Whilst releasing the few moths that had been
previously trapped, an unusual moth was spotted resting on some Purple
Loosetrife in the margins of the Nature Centre garden pond. After a number of
photos were taken (in-situ), the moth was collected for identification. The
species turned out to be the Wormwood Moth (Cucullia
absinthii), a first for the Reserve and one of only five sites in
Nottinghamshire where this species has been recorded – the last being in 2009 at Misson Carr.
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| The Nationally Scarce, Wormwood Moth |
The Wormwood Moth is a Nationally Notable species in the UK and a Grade
1 species for Nottinghamshire (Nationally Notable Group B species recorded from five or
fewer 10Km squares in Nottinghamshire since 1990). As both the common and the
Latin name suggest, the larvae of this species feed on the flowers and
seeds of Wormwood (although can also be found on Mugwort). This species report
has been described as the best moth find at Attenborough Nature Reserve to date
– narrowly beating the Red-Tipped Clearwing (a Red Data Book species). We
released the moth later that day.
Following a couple of adaptations to the moth trap
(involving a plastic drinks cup funnel), the number of species being caught
began to increase. Some common yet very attractive individuals such as the
migrant Silver Y and Burnished Brass were found during a trapping session on
the 3rd August, along with a number of previously un-recorded micro
moths including the Grey Knot-Horn (Acrobasis
advenella) and the Bulrush Veneer (Calamotropha
paludella) – a scarce species at the very north of its range, to name just
a couple.
As the last egg box was turned over a small yet intricately
marked moth was spotted. The moth’s greeninsh grey forewing with a scattering
and border of orange spots could only mean one thing – Small Ranunculus!
Another first for the Reserve! Having spoken to other local naturalists, who
have also noted this species at their trapping sites, it would seem that the
fortunes of the Small Ranunculus Moth are beginning to change and that it will
once again become a common species in Nottinghamshire.
We are currently experiencing a general northward shift in
distribution of native species and this, along with constant effort monitoring
will mean that the number of moths recorded on the Reserve will continue to
rise - in particular the micro moths - a group of species that have
historically been under-recorded at Attenborough.
With the help of visitors to the Reserve reporting their
sightings, our knowledge of local wildlife can increase further. If you would
like help in identifying a species you have found on the Reserve, or would like
to report your sightings, please send the details along with a photograph (if
you are able to take one) to: enquiries@attenboroughnaturecentre.co.uk
When possible species caught during moth trapping sessions
on the Reserve will be displayed in the Nature Centre (as they mostly remain
inactive during the day). Details will appear in the ‘News & Events’
section of our website: www.attenboroughnaturecentre.co.uk
