It feels like we’ve left the summer behind us, but it is high summer as far as moths are concerned. Last weekend, 8-10th August, was National Moth Night, where moth-recording events take place across the country. This weekend also fell into this year’s Big Butterfly Count (20th July- 11th August), encouraging everyone to spend 15 minutes counting the butterflies they see at a single location. Both events aim to increase our knowledge of the distribution of Lepidoptera (the collective name for butterflies and moths), as well as their population. These insects are very susceptible to changing land use, as well as changing climate. This means their numbers can change quickly when their environment changes. Many also have short life cycles, so changes in Lepidoptera populations can act as an early-warning for changes in the numbers of other groups that have much longer generations.
With both the National Moth Night, and the Big Butterfly Count happening at the same time, it seemed the perfect opportunity for a butterfly and moth workshop. Tony Mainwood, the East Sutherland vice-county moth recorder, kindly came to share some of his skills. We all learnt loads- more than anything that it may take years to become an expert, the range of moths that are out there is fascinating and that getting started with moths isn’t so daunting after all!
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A beautiful Gold Spot moth
It’s the little things that count when identifying carpet moths!
