Data and charts are up to the 45th week of 2026 (1st Nov).
There have been a number of moths appearing in the record for the first time in 2026.
- Plumed Fan-foot in week 39
- Cypress Pug in week 37
- Purple Bar in week 33
- Small Waved Umber in week 32
- Mocha in week 32
- Narrow Winged Pug, two of which appeared in week 21
- Seraphim also in week 21
- Small Eggar in week 12
There are two light traps in use at Pitsford Reservoir Nature Reserve. One is adjacent to the reservoir and has reeds and grassland nearby. The 2nd is situated in light woodland. The traps are about 50 metres apart.
Estimates of the effective range of a light trap vary from around 20 metres to in excess of 800 metres depending greatly on the phase of the moon and light pollution. It's also worth noting that although many moths are attracted to light, not all of them are, and the effect of light on each species, and even individual moths within a species varies.
Having trapped the moths overnight the date and the number of each species found in the trap are recorded and the moths, having spent a comfortable night nesting in cardboard eggboxes, are then released.
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Showing the Yield of all moth species per year.
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Here we see the yield for moths based on their end season.
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Showing how many species were counted each year. |
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Showing the count of species per End Season. The End Season is the final season in which a moth species flies.
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