Moth surveys

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In the summer of 2024 we were contacted by NEYEDC (North and East Yorkshire Ecological Data Centre) who wanted to set up a moth trap at Jubilee Pasture to occasionally survey night-flying moths. They use a moth trap which is a dim light above a funnel into a bucket. The light attracts moths across a range of a few metres. If they go down the funnel it is difficult for them to leave so they spend the night resting on egg boxes placed in the bucket. Early the following morning, NEYEDC staff come to identify the moths and release them unharmed.

 

Due to poor weather at times when the trap could be run at Jubilee Pasture, only two surveys were conducted this year. We hope that there will be more trapping sessions next season, and will invite everyone to come along if possible. 

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Sixteen species were recorded, including some striking colourful ones pictured below. The full results can be downloaded here (spreadsheet file). NEYEDC encourages everyone to conduct moth surveys using this simple trap design and they have prepared a leaflet on how to build your own. The leaflet can be downloaded here (pdf file).

 

More information about the work of NEYEDC can be found on their website. Much of the data they hold is provided by volunteers recording wildlife observations across the county and they encourage public participation.

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