2008 Lake Garda Moths

Our Net Trap with UV lamps was set up on the small patio table against the wall. A couple of printer sheets were taped to the wall to create a pale blue fluorescent light so that moths could be seen in the area, without affecting other hotel guests. Notice the Great Peacock Moth which had come in, and was transferred to our Keep Net temporarily for safety.

The operating trap is visible here in a time exposure, but apparently much brighter than it actually was. Surprisingly, the ordinary outside lights were not attracting moths at all. Even so, I covered the wall light later on to increase the light effect of the UV bulbs. Generally, though, not too many moths came in during the six nights we trapped moths, possibly because in May, the mountains were quite cool and this might have affected moth activity down near the lake areas.

Noctuidae Wingspan: 26mm. The first moth in top our trap. It seems to be fairly common around the eastern area of the Mediterranean, but only one specimen came in here.

Geometridae Wingspan: 26mm. A single fairly faded specimen of this species came in on the first night.

Noctuidae Wingspan: 36mm. A common species widespread throughout Europe. Four specimens came in at Garda, but specimens appeared to have patterns on the wings that I'd not seen before which made me wonder whether it was a different species. See IG013 for clearer variation.

Noctuidae, Hadenidae - Wingspan: 42mm. Identification corrected by Martin Honey. Thanks Martin.

Noctuidae Wingspan: 38mm. This dark specimen had me going for a while until another came in another night with more conventional colours. The wing patterns are quite normal however, which-ever colour variant it is. 4 specimens were recorded.

Coleophoridae Wingspan: 20mm. A large family of "micro-moths" (234 species in Italy), many of which are difficult to differentiate, because of similar markings. Without genitalia dissection, it can't be determined. Thanks for the extra information Martin.

Saturnidae Wingspan: 142mm. Two specimens of this large Silk-moth came to our trap on the 12th May, one landing as shown here just outside the Net Trap. The other was actually inside the Trap having fallen through the funnel with the smaller bottom hole only 35mm in diameter. I'm surprised this size moth can get in, but time and again, large moths have proven it possible.