North American commenter here: I always enjoy these articles, thank you for writing. The most commonly used name I've heard for Impatiens capensis is Jewelweed. We value it here for its attraction to hummingbirds.
Thanks Kristi, I hadn't come across that name for it before! We don't have any hummingbirds here, but we do have the Humming Bird Hawk Moth (I think you have something similar too) and now I'm wondering whether they're attracted to these flowers as well.
We do have two species of Hummingbird Moths in my region of the US. We have Hemaris diffinis and Hermaris thysbe. Because they are daytime flying moths, I actually get to see them enjoying my garden. They seem to like the nectar of Phlox and Liatris species plants especially. I don't have Jewelweed in my garden, but I see it on the walking trails in the local preserve.
Yes it's interesting that the flowers they prefer don't have a particularly long corolla tube, whereas in Jewelweed it's a bit on the long side. It maybe that the main pollinators (apart from hummingbids!) are nocturnal hawk (sphinx) moths like the Convolvulus Hawk (Agrius convolvuli).
Well, unless you're planning to visit the far east I don't think you need worry about that too much. The only UK moth with coremata is the Ruby Tiger - I've seen lots of them but never seen one with the coremata inflated. But it's a bit weird I agree ... it's used to release pheromones, but I would have thought any female catching sight of them would run a mile!
Fascinating, I've just been summarising my 2025 results, my 4th full year of trapping. Quite different from yours - my top 10 are below (11 as last two tied!). First year LYU wasn't top. Numbers much smaller as I only trap weekly - I do the Garden Moth Scheme so not always the best night of the week, but sometimes I'm relieved by that as 100+ moths are quite enough to identify. I love the fact I still find new species, 23 new macro species this year. I don't always try to identify micros if they aren't on the GMS list. Anyway I love your substack - thanks for all the info :-)
Thanks Hilary, yes some remarkable differences there! That's a lot of Brimstones, but the most striking thing to me is Mocha; only ever had 2 in Eastbourne - a few more when I was in West Sussex but never more than 8/year. I'm not sure where you're located but it must be southern England (or possibly SE Wales) and I'd put money on it being one of Somerset, Gloucestershire or Hampshire! Black Arches suggests you must be near some deciduous woodland with a good sprinkling of oaks, and the absence of Heart and Dart from the list suggests you're not that near any open meadowland.
I have thought about doing GMS but never got around to it; it's probably got something to do with having the freedom to pick my nights without feeling duty-bound to run on a Friday night!
Excellent sleuthing! I'm South Wales - near Penarth just outside Cardiff so just about in your guesses, but yes adjacent to deciduous woodland - with lots of oaks and a few field maple which I believe is what the Mocha like. I love Mocha such a beautiful little moth, in my first year I had 30 in one night once which was amazing. They didn't do so well in 2024 so good to have them back this year. Someone recommended GMS to me when I first got a trap as a brilliant way to ensure you trap regularly and also try to ID everything which has been a great learning experience. I don't always do Friday nights as they do allow you to vary, but you're not meant to vary for better conditions just when Friday nights don't suit you!
Oh I once applied for a job in Penarth! Well near there at least ... at the MRC Pneumoconiosis Unit which was at the Llandough Hospital. It's been gone for decades now I think. I didn't get the job, they decided to give it to 'a younger man', so I'm giving my age away somewhat! But I do remember my visit to the area as I had an overnight stay and a bit of a look around.
A great read and a nudge to self. Have more sessions in 2026.
North American commenter here: I always enjoy these articles, thank you for writing. The most commonly used name I've heard for Impatiens capensis is Jewelweed. We value it here for its attraction to hummingbirds.
Thanks Kristi, I hadn't come across that name for it before! We don't have any hummingbirds here, but we do have the Humming Bird Hawk Moth (I think you have something similar too) and now I'm wondering whether they're attracted to these flowers as well.
We do have two species of Hummingbird Moths in my region of the US. We have Hemaris diffinis and Hermaris thysbe. Because they are daytime flying moths, I actually get to see them enjoying my garden. They seem to like the nectar of Phlox and Liatris species plants especially. I don't have Jewelweed in my garden, but I see it on the walking trails in the local preserve.
Yes it's interesting that the flowers they prefer don't have a particularly long corolla tube, whereas in Jewelweed it's a bit on the long side. It maybe that the main pollinators (apart from hummingbids!) are nocturnal hawk (sphinx) moths like the Convolvulus Hawk (Agrius convolvuli).
Love the kinky light brown apple moth! Great article as always Dennis.
That chocolate-tip is lovely, but I am not enjoying the Creatonotos transiens. Brr, no thank you.
Well, unless you're planning to visit the far east I don't think you need worry about that too much. The only UK moth with coremata is the Ruby Tiger - I've seen lots of them but never seen one with the coremata inflated. But it's a bit weird I agree ... it's used to release pheromones, but I would have thought any female catching sight of them would run a mile!
I certainly would.
Nice to see your list - most of them are ones I haven't seen (except Gold Spot and Red-Necked Footman).
Well I suppose that's to be expected really. Interesting that you get the Red-necked Footman - probably not that often I would guess.
I think I've just had two or three over the last decade or so...
Fascinating, I've just been summarising my 2025 results, my 4th full year of trapping. Quite different from yours - my top 10 are below (11 as last two tied!). First year LYU wasn't top. Numbers much smaller as I only trap weekly - I do the Garden Moth Scheme so not always the best night of the week, but sometimes I'm relieved by that as 100+ moths are quite enough to identify. I love the fact I still find new species, 23 new macro species this year. I don't always try to identify micros if they aren't on the GMS list. Anyway I love your substack - thanks for all the info :-)
Brimstone Moth
Large Yellow Underwing
Light Emerald
Willow Beauty
November Moth agg.
Riband Wave
Black Arches
Mocha
Nut-tree Tussock
Hebrew Character
Square-spot Rustic
Thanks Hilary, yes some remarkable differences there! That's a lot of Brimstones, but the most striking thing to me is Mocha; only ever had 2 in Eastbourne - a few more when I was in West Sussex but never more than 8/year. I'm not sure where you're located but it must be southern England (or possibly SE Wales) and I'd put money on it being one of Somerset, Gloucestershire or Hampshire! Black Arches suggests you must be near some deciduous woodland with a good sprinkling of oaks, and the absence of Heart and Dart from the list suggests you're not that near any open meadowland.
I have thought about doing GMS but never got around to it; it's probably got something to do with having the freedom to pick my nights without feeling duty-bound to run on a Friday night!
Excellent sleuthing! I'm South Wales - near Penarth just outside Cardiff so just about in your guesses, but yes adjacent to deciduous woodland - with lots of oaks and a few field maple which I believe is what the Mocha like. I love Mocha such a beautiful little moth, in my first year I had 30 in one night once which was amazing. They didn't do so well in 2024 so good to have them back this year. Someone recommended GMS to me when I first got a trap as a brilliant way to ensure you trap regularly and also try to ID everything which has been a great learning experience. I don't always do Friday nights as they do allow you to vary, but you're not meant to vary for better conditions just when Friday nights don't suit you!
Oh I once applied for a job in Penarth! Well near there at least ... at the MRC Pneumoconiosis Unit which was at the Llandough Hospital. It's been gone for decades now I think. I didn't get the job, they decided to give it to 'a younger man', so I'm giving my age away somewhat! But I do remember my visit to the area as I had an overnight stay and a bit of a look around.
That was really fun to read.
Thank you very much!