National Moth Week

What is National Moth Week you say. Well the idea comes from the US where it was started as a sort of "moth and insect appreciation" scheme to introduce the public to the world of moths during the summer. After a couple of years, it took on an international scope with countries on several continents "celebrating" nocturnal insects. Even in our winter, we find a variety of moths on any given night. Nights without a moon are most effective.

"Mothing" as it has been called, is a fairly simple activity. On needs a source of light. Strong electric bulb will do but a Mercury Vapour Light or the lights used to attract insect to commercial insect traps are also very effective. The large local hardware stores sell these lights.

Not every light sheet will look like this! This was a recent "evening with moths" experienced by Michael Braby and his friends.

WATCH THIS SPACE FOR A LOCAL MOTHING NIGHT

In the meantime, this is what you might see if you put a light and sheet in a natural area.

Click for enlarged view. Also see http://www.leapfrogoz.com.au/LeapFrogOz/Moth_Identification.html

for more Queensland moths

Crambidae; Pyraustinae; Agathodes ostentalis 

 Crambidae; Pyraustinae; Dichrocis clytusalis

 Aganaidae: Digama marmorea

 Noctuidae; Catocalinae; Grammodes oculata

Drepanidae; Hypsidia erythropsalis

 Crambidae; Pyraustinae; Notarcha polytimeta

 Saturnidae; Saturniinae; Syntherata janetta

 Crambidae; Acentropine; Tetrernia terminitis

 Geometridae; Ennominae; Bracca rotundata

 Noctuidae; Catacolinae; Sympis rufibasis

 Lacturidae; Eustixis leucophthalma

 Geometridae; Geometrinae; Prasinocyma caniola

Thyrididae; Striglininae; Aglaopus gemmulosa

Arctidae; Arctiinae; Paralacydes maculifsciata

Noctuidae; Catocalinae; Buzara latizona

 Geometridae; Geometrinae; Agathia pisina female

 Noctuidae; Catocalinae; Donuca rubropicta

Geomtridae; Ennominae; Milionia queenslandica