Moth Traps Butterfly Conservation

Moth Traps There are many different types of moth trap bodies and different lights to use with them. Some of these are described here. Moth Trap Body Options Heath trap - Collapsible rectangular box with funnel Light and can flat-pack for storage and transport so great when trapping away from habitation. Cheapest trap. Holds fewer moths than the other Skinner or Robinson models.     Skinner trap - Normally collapsible, larger than Heath trap with slot entrance Can catch close to as many moths as a Robinson. Easy to open and observe catch. Some can be collapsed when not in use and for transport. Cheaper than a Robinson trap. Moths sometimes escape once caught.  Can be cumbersome to assemble.   Robinson trap - Large, round, plastic container. Catches large numbers of moths which tend not to escape. Perhaps the most efficient trap. Does not collapse so takes up a lot of room when not in use and to transport. Expensive.   Bucket trap - Medium, round, plastic container – a compromise between Heath and Robinson Can catch higher numbers of moth than a Heath trap. Cheaper than Robinson and lends itself to DIY - See our Budget Bucket Moth Trap Does not collapse so takes up more room than Heath trap although smaller than Robinson.    Moth Trap Lighting Options Mercury Vapour (MV)  - High power bulbs with significant UV Attracts highest number of moths. Requires mains electricity or a generator and ballast control gear. EU ban, but still available. Actinic - Fluorescent Tube bulbs with high UV output Effective, often manufactured for insect control. Various wattages available. Mains or 12v control gear. 12v control gear often drives bulbs at half stated power. 12v control gear being phased out in favour of LED options.   Compact fluorescent - similar to household bulbs, but with high UV output As effective as high power actinics Two types available: Actinic (for insect attraction) and Vivarium (for reptile basking) Reptile type bulb is white with up to 40% UV Mains powered, but can operate from a 12v battery when used with an inverter   LED - In early stages of adoption and understanding Lightweight with many varieties Higher power ones on a par with fluorescent bulbs, but often with different catch composition. Low power lights may be inconsistent in catch success DIY LEDs very cheap - see our LED Strip Light making guide Ready-made ones quite pricey.   Back to Recording Butterflies and Moths Back to Finding, seeing and catching moths

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