Like Moths to the Flame - Results of Last Nights Mothing (with 13 macro Photos)

As the nights gradually get warmer down here in the southern hemisphere, more moths are starting to make an appearance. Last night was dry and and a little warmer than it has been so I put the moth trap out again. Mine is a Skinner moth trap with a mercury vapour bulb. This does not harm the moths. They are attracted to the light and get caught in a large box where they settle on some empty egg cartons. In the morning they can be photographed and released. If you are interested in doing a bit of mothing (as the hobby is called) you might enjoy a post I made a few weeks ago on, How to Catch a Moth ...A Basic Introduction to Traps and Mothing. As mentioned in that post, its a great way to participate in some citizen science projects by recording what you find, particularly if you find something a little unusual for your area.

Hopefully, as Steemit grows, a community of mothing enthusiasts may develop. In the mean time I hope that many will at least enjoy the photos :-) Anyhow, here are some of the moths from last night that I managed to photograph. Plenty of others flew off before I had the chance :-)

_{( All photos, videos, and text on this blog are by @mostly.nature )}

The first six are all Geometrids. Not surprising as Geometridae is one of the largest Lepidopteran families.

_{Family Geometridae: Scioglyptis chionomera}

_{Family Geometridae: Chloroclystis testulata - Pale banded form}

_{Family Geometridae: Poecilasthena pulchraria}

_{Family Geometridae: Hypobapta percomptaria}

_{Family Geometridae: Cyneoterpna wilsoni}

_{Family Geometridae: Oenochroma vinaria}

Of the next two, the first is a Notodintid. Probably the following one is as well but I'm still checking up on that one.

_{Family Notodontidae: Sorama bicolor}

_{Not sure on this one. Looks like another Notodontid}

The next two are Anthelids. Both seem to be Anthela acuta. These are very variable. This is a species complex which may, with further study, prove to be several distinct species.

_{Family Anthelidae: Anthela acuta}

_{Family Anthelidae: Anthela acuta}

The last three photos (two species) are Noctuids.

_{Family Noctuidae: Still checking ID for this one}

_{Family Noctuidae: Pantydia sparsa}

_{Same moth as above. Family Noctuidae: Frontolateral view of Pantydia sparsa}

I hope you enjoyed the moths in this post. If so, please consider upvoting, commenting , following or resteeming. Thank you!

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