This was the BEG contribution to Sheffield Environment Weeks. The previous week’s nights had been cold; with temperatures around the Abbey recorded at below freezing and 2 degrees on the Wednesday before the event. This was not favourable for moths, they like mild/warm still evenings. The trap was run in a nearby garden for two nights on the previous weeks, just five moths on both occasions. Then, the first rain forecast in Sheffield for at least six weeks was due on the evening before and on the Saturday. The trap was set for the two nights before and a further trap with a higher bulb capacity was also run in a Derbyshire location by our expert Jane Hewitt.
The local trap pulled in the beautiful Elephant Hawk Moth. (almost the size of a wren), and some Heart and Darts, as well as a Peppered moth, so these were put into the top of a fridge in containers to calm them before the event. The Friday night trap was set up under the garden umbrella to protect it from rain. On Saturday we set up on the Abbey steps with Jane bringing her unexamined trap over and the local trap that we ran on the Friday was also brought in for examination. The joint collection must have exceeded 50 moths, all extremely beautiful!
The 16 enthusiastic members of BEG and visitors were enthralled by the size and variety of moths that emerged. It was an
eye opener to see what is flying around when we are all tucked up in bed.
With thanks to Jane Hewitt for coming over and giving us her expertise.