During the last two weeks we had the moth trap out overnight twice and were rewarded with a rare insight into this absolutely fascinating group of insects.

An evening filled with sunshine is the perfect setting to put out a moth trap but even in less favourable weather conditions it might well be worth giving it a go. The team at RSPB Newport Wetlands dusted off the UFO-style equipment and placed it among the wildflowers, eagerly awaiting what will be revealed the following morning.

The mornings of the reveal were filled with excitement over what treasures might be lurking within the egg boxes of the trap. A total of 54 species were identified on the first occasion, 38 of which were macro moths and the remaining 16 were micro and on the second occasion there were even 59 species found, 36 of which macro and 23 of which micro moths. Below is a selection of photographs of these mornings’ highlights. A full list of the moths trapped at RSPB Newport Wetlands can be found at the end of this blog.

Drinker (Euthrix potatoria)

Team agreed that the drinker looks a little bit like a mouse you might find on a distant alien planet. Photo credit: Rhiannon Munro

Drinker on full display, slowly warming its wings ready for flight. Photo credit: Rhiannon Munro

Oak eggar (Lasiocampa quercus)

Female Oak eggar gently resting on an egg carton. Photo credit: Rhiannon Munro

Left: Male oak eggars have darker colourings than females (right). Photo credit: Rhiannon Munro 

Rosy footman (Miltochrista miniate)

Vibrant and interesting. Photo credit: Rhiannon Munro

Canary-shouldered thorn (Ennomos alniaria)

Fondly described as the "Angry bird" moth for its fierce and bird-like features. Photo credit: Rhiannon Munro

Brimstone (Opisthograptis luteolata)

A colourful mainly night-flying moth that can be found on the wing between April and October. Photo credit: Rhiannon Munro

Blood-vein (Timandra comae)

Can be seen during the day around low vegetation. Watch out for the distinctive pink/red line across the fore and hind wings. Photo credit: Rhiannon Munro

Burnished brass (Diachrysia chrysitis)

A spectacular moth with distinctive metal colouring on the forewings. Photo credit: Rhiannon Munro

Mother of pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis)

A pearly sheen illuminates in certain light conditions. One of the largest of Britain's so-called 'micro-moths'. Photo credit: Rhiannon Munro

Sallow kitten (Furcula furcula)

Widespread throughout most of Britain, this attractive moth gets its name from its resemblance to a kitten with its furry head and front legs. Photo credit: Rhiannon Munro

Early thorn (Selenia dentaria)

While resting, it holds its wings up over its back and presses them together like a butterfly. This feature distinguishes the early thorn from all other British thorns. Photo credit: Rhiannon Munro

Dark spectacle (Abrostola triplasia)

What a “hair style”! Photo credit: Stefan Zitzmann

Jersey tiger (Euplagia quadripunctaria)

A relatively new addition to mainland Britain’s moth species and a well and truly spectacular one. Photo credit: Stefan Zitzmann

Huge thanks to Kevin Hewitt for providing the identification and expertise on the days!

List of moths trapped at RSPB Newport Wetlands - Friday 07.08.2020:

Macro Moths

Blood-vein, Brimstone moth, Burnished brass, Canary-shouldered thorn, Clay, Clouded border, Common carpet, Common footman, Common rustic agg., Common wave, Dark arches, Dark-barred twin-spot carpet, Dingy footman, Drinker, Early thorn, Flame shoulder, Flounced rustic, Iron prominent, Large yellow underwing, Lesser broad-bordered yellow underwing, Lesser swallow prominent, Oak eggar, Pale prominent, Peach blossom, Riband wave, Rosy footman, Rosy rustic, Ruby tiger, Sallow kitten, Shaded broad-bar, Sharp-angled peacock, Silky wainscot, Small rufous, Small wainscot, Smoky wainscot, Straw dot, Straw underwing and Willow beauty.

Micro Moths

Agriphila straminella, Agriphila tristella, Apple leaf miner, Barred fruit-tree tortrix, Bird-cherry ermine, Bud moth, Cochylomorpha straminea, Cyclamen tortrix, Donacaula forficella, Eudonia mercurella, Hawthorn moth, Mother of pearl, Ringed China-mark, Small China-mark, Strawberry tortrix agg. and Water veneer.

List of moths trapped at RSPB Newport Wetlands – Friday 14.08.2020:

Macro Moths

Blood-vein, Bright-line brown-eye, Brimstone moth, Burnished brass, Canary-shouldered thorn, Cloaked minor, Common carpet, Common wave, Dark arches, Dark spectacle, Dark-barred twin-spot carpet, Dingy footman, Dusky thorn, Flame, Flame shoulder, Flounced rustic, Garden carpet, Heart and dart, Jersey tiger, Large yellow underwing, Lesser broad-bordered yellow underwing, Light emerald, Oak eggar, Orange swift, Red underwing, Shaded broad-bar, Sharp-angled peacock, Silver Y, Six-striped rustic, Small rufous, Small wainscot, Southern wainscot, Square-spot rustic, Straw dot, Straw underwing and Willow beauty.

Micro Moths

Acrobasis advenella, Agapeta hamana, Agriphila selasella, Agriphila straminella, Agriphila tristella, Apotomis betuletana, Bactra lancealana, Blastobasis adustella, Celypha lacunana, Cochylis atricapitana, Cyclamen tortrix, Donacaula forficella, Eudonia lacustrata, Falseunicaria ruficiliana, Hedya pruniana, Hypaina rhomboidella, Light brown apple moth, Monopis weaverella, Mother of pearl, Ringed China-mark, Scrabipalpa costella, Small China-mark and Water veneer.

Rhiannon Munro