Moths
The role of moths in the pollination and as food source for bats and birds cannot be understated. For example, some plant species, such as butterfly orchids, are pollinated exclusively by moths and recent research has [1] suggested that night-flying moths could even be more efficient pollinators than bees. There are about 2,500 species of moth recorded in the UK compared to 59 species of butterfly.
As part of our B-Line survey of insect pollinators, we undertook a survey on a small patch of grassland in North Betchworth, to understand the diversity and abundance of our night-flying pollinating insects using a Light Trap. We used a Skinner Trap, which includes a mercury vapour bulb and two downward-facing perspex sheets which funnel the moths into a collection box. This is filled with egg-trays upon which the moths rest until they have been identified and released unharmed the following morning.
Moth trapping can be both an invaluable conservation research tool as well as a rewarding hobby with the potential to record a huge diversity of resident and migrant species on a single site. A wealth of knowledge relating to differing flight seasons, life cycles, larval foodplants and favoured habitats can be gained. This information can then be used to inform site condition assessments and habitat management plans.
During a single night of moth trapping I collected over 60 species of macro and micro moth, some of which are pictured below. The moths I identified are fairly typical of grassland, scrub and woodland habitats but also included some which favour the chalky grassland/scrub habitat located within the B-Line. For example, the Mocha (pictured right), which is nationally scarce, and has a distribution restricted to southern England, roughly following the Cretaceous greensand soils characteristic of the South Downs. It is hoped that with continued monitoring of moth populations in future years, the number of species recorded will increase significantly and provide a useful indicator as to the health of the wildflower-rich habitats within the Betchworth B-Line.
Some of the moths collected during the night survey in the Betchworth B-Line
Top Left to right: angle shades, brimstone, burnished brass.
Bottom Left to right: Feathered gothic, light emerald, large yellow underwing.
During a single night of moth trapping I collected over 60 species of macro and micro moth, some of which are pictured below. The moths I identified are fairly typical of grassland, scrub and woodland habitats but also included some which favour the chalky grassland/scrub habitat located within the B-Line. For example, the Mocha (pictured right), which is nationally scarce, and has a distribution restricted to southern England, roughly following the Cretaceous greensand soils characteristic of the South Downs. It is hoped that with continued monitoring of moth populations in future years, the number of species recorded will increase significantly and provide a useful indicator as to the health of the wildflower-rich habitats within the Betchworth B-Line.
Some of the moths collected during the night survey in the Betchworth B-Line
Top Left to right: angle shades, brimstone, burnished brass.
Bottom Left to right: Feathered gothic, light emerald, large yellow underwing.
Night survey