| 1. Make sure you
watch every step you make around the trap, in case of darkness
around the lamp, use a white sheet around the trap to enhance
visibility. Sometimes, moths rest around the trap rather than
in it.
2. If you have a public event, make sure visitors
understand that they must be careful around the trap. Again,
place a white sheet around the trap. You can even use more
strict rules if moths are around the trap in high numbers.
3. Free the moths as soon as possible, if possible
even the same night. They will not get damaged and birds will
not have a chance to empty the trap in the morning, which
can lead to high loss of moths.
4. If you want to take photographs, keep these
specimens in the refrigerator overnight, they will not be
active during this period and the cold will prevent them from
being active and getting damaged during the night. Photograph
and release these moths as soon as possible the next day.
Make sure you release them out of sight from birds, preferably
in dense vegetation.
5. Do not kill moths for the purpose of a private
collection. Instead, use photographs to confirm the identification
of your catch.
6. Do not trap every evening at the same spot.
This will prevent recapturing of the same moths and thereby
interfering too much in their natural life cycle. |
7. Even if you have
a high number of moths in your trap, make sure they are all
safely released. Value each moth, even if they are small.
8. Make sure your data is sent to your county
recorder or other butterfly-moth conservation so that your
trapping will have at least some kind of (recording) purpose.
9. Moth trapping is not the only method to observe
moths. Also use more moth-friendly methods such as sugaring
or observing moths feeding on nectar (flowers, sallow catkins).
It is wonderful to see moths in their normal (feeding) behaviour,
rather than seeing moths getting attracted/confused by bright
lights.
10. If you use a bright MV light, these bulbs
can get very hot, with risk of burned moths. It is advisable
that you use a protection around the bulb, which is originally
used for protection if a bulb would explode. However, these
are extremely advisable since moths and other insects will
have a lower chance to get burned.
11. If you accidentally obtain eggs from females
laying eggs in your trap, try to figure out which species
and take responsibility by letting them hatch and release
them (if possible half grown) at the right food plant and
habitat. |
