Moths may not get the same spotlight as their flashier butterfly cousins, but they are amazing, underappreciated pollinators. While butterflies flit about during the day, moths take over the night shift, quietly working their magic. There are far more moth species than butterflies, both in terms of variety and sheer numbers, making them a fascinating group to study—and they’re full of surprises!

Many moth species are beautifully patterned, albeit in more subtle ways than butterflies. With countless forms and colours within each species, moth enthusiasts are never short of challenges when trying to identify them. In fact, some moth caterpillars are even more dramatic than their adult counterparts!

My Journey into the World of Moth Trapping

My love for moths started during my Zoology degree at Bangor University, where I participated in moth trapping sessions at Treborth Botanic Gardens with Nigel Brown (who was compiling a moth catalogue with students)

Later, I helped run evening moth trapping events at Gilfach Nature Reserve with the Education Officer. Bats would swoop in to snack on the moths, adding to the thrill! My sons also got involved, attending morning events with the Rangers. At these, birds had cottoned on to the fact that the moth pots meant an easy meal! I even snapped a memorable photo of my son with a hawkmoth perched on his nose. We also joined moth trapping events at Elan Valley, where our love for moths only grew stronger.

Home-Made Moth Traps: A Family Affair

My son, Oliver, really caught the "moth bug" and wanted his own trap for his birthday. My husband got creative, putting together a trap with a bucket, funnel, and a 20-watt UVA bulb—just as recommended by the County Moth Recorders, Pete and Ginny Clarke.

But you don’t need fancy equipment to enjoy moth trapping. A simple white sheet with a torch behind it, or even a wine or sugar rope (find recipes on the Butterfly Conservation website), can attract a variety of species. Fun tip: the leftover wine from the recipe is yours to enjoy! Believe it or not, the average garden could host up to 100 different species of moths.

We also found that moths are strangely attracted to spilt ketchup while camping (though I’m not sure how healthy that is for them!) and that lit-up camping toilets work surprisingly well for moth recording. We even had to fish a few out of the toilets with a stick!

Incredible Moth Defenses and Adaptations

Moths are full of surprises—some species have evolved incredible ways to escape predators. For instance, some can produce clicking sounds to jam a bat's echolocation system, while others drop to the ground when they sense danger. The Eyed Hawkmoth, for example, flashes its bright underwings to startle predators, while its caterpillars sport fake "eyes" to scare off would-be attackers.

The Deaths-head Hawkmoth is another fascinating species, known for the skull-like marking on its back and its ability to produce a squeaking noise. Remarkably, it can sometimes be found in beehives without being attacked by the bees. Historically, this moth was abundant in potato fields but is now seen more in organic gardens and allotments. And believe it or not, it has even been recorded on oil rigs in the North Sea!

Moth Highlights: From Giants to Migrants

Some of the UK’s largest moths are also among the most captivating. The Privet Hawkmoth, with its impressive 10cm wingspan, is the biggest in the UK, though it’s restricted to areas with calcareous soil, like parts of Radnorshire. The Convolvulus Hawkmoth, a migrant from Africa, has an extraordinary long proboscis, allowing it to feed on tubular flowers. This species has even been spotted flying a few metres above the sea!

Meanwhile, the Poplar Hawkmoth has an unusual mating schedule: females emerge in the evening, while males wait until after midnight. It’s a mystery how they manage to find each other! Like other big moths, they "shiver" to warm up their flight muscles, making them easier to photograph as they sit still for longer. After studying them, we always release them under leaves to protect them from predators until they’ve fully warmed up.

Hairy Moths: Nature’s Fur-Coated Night Flyers

Some moths are covered in dense hair, not just to stay warm during their night-time adventures, but also to camouflage themselves against tree trunks and fence posts. This natural "fur coat" breaks up their outline, helping them blend into their surroundings. Some species even have hairy eyes!

Get Involved: How You Can Help Monitor Moths

If you come across a moth, take a moment to appreciate it! Photograph it and share your sightings with local moth recorders like Pete and Ginny Clarke, or submit your finds via apps like iRecord. Every submission helps build a bigger picture of the moth populations in your area.

Moths are truly enchanting creatures—whether you're marvelling at their defence mechanisms, identifying their many forms, or simply enjoying the beauty of a hawkmoth perched on a leaf. They may be nocturnal, but it’s high time we brought their brilliance into the light!

County moth recorders info: 

Pete & Ginny Clarke

Email: peteandginnyc@hotmail.co.uk

Tel: 01497 847877