Hi,
I have recently seen that Old Lady Mormo maura has featured in several traps. I too have been recording the odd 1 on some nights, mainly adjacent to the trap (4), but also occasionally inside also (2).
I had thought from the condition of the moths (ragged wings and other signs of ‘wear and tear’) that I had recorded up to 3 different specimens.
Last night (02/09/2017) on my visit to check the trap, I found 2 specimens on the wall. This morning, there were none on the wall, but when emptying the trap, there were 5 inside.
I have recorded higher numbers in past years, mostly on sugar. The highest count I ever attracted to sugar was 17 on 03/08/2009. The last double figure count I recorded was 19/08/2010. In recent years the numbers have been much lower.
Even though numbers attracted to sugar had been falling, I have continued to use sugar every year, but have not attracted any Old Lady in 2017. The total number of moths that I have attracted to sugar this year is 1. This was a Large Yellow Underwing, but I have seen more on my Buddleia, so is my sugar working ? The answer is probably no, as I can’t imagine that every Old Lady have changed their feeding habits.
I have always used the same method of ‘brewing’ my sugar, which is the method described by Roy Leverton in his book ‘Enjoying Moths’. I have used the same treacle and beer as always, but I can’t source the same dark molasses sugar. I don’t usually add anything to my sugar and have no secret ingredients. I have noted that the sugar I now use very quickly seems to re-crystallize in the container. I assume therefore that the problem is the sugar I use.
If any other members are using sugar in their gardens or in the field, to attract moths, I would be keen to hear of their recent results.
Sadly, I lost the image with 17 moths feeding on sugar, but I still have the image of my last double figure count. I recorded 10 when submitting my records, but have just noticed an 11th on the tree trunk next to the sugared post.
Mel.
- Old Lady on Sugar - Aug 2010