2013 Crete Moths

Our Travelling Net Trap made from a lightweight collapsible Laundry Basket which collapses to a flat arrangement for transport in our suitcase. The hardware can also reduce to a low volume mode for the suitcase as well. Here we hung the assembled trap from the frame of the sun umbrella to avoid ants over-running it whilst it is operating as they find a food source of small flies and moths which have been attracted to the moth lights through the night otherwise. The two lights used are "black light" Ultraviolet Economizer bulbs which produce a very low level of dark blue light to avoid upsetting adjacent residents in the hotels whilst operating, and use just 25Watts of power each bulb.

Wingspan: 28mm. A pretty little Noctuid which occurs in countries around the Mediterranean. It also has counterparts in the Neotropical areas as well. It always rests with its wings set in the "delta" position, with the tail turned up.

Wingspan: 28mm. A pretty little Noctuid which occurs in countries around the Mediterranean. It also has counterparts in the Neotropical areas as well. It always rests with its wings set in the "delta" position, with the tail turned up.

Wingspan: 26mm. A common species also occurring in the UK.

Geometridae Wingspan: 45mm. This appears to be a Mediterranean species, which is a close relation to the UK Peribatodes rhomboidaria (Willow Beauty). Just two specimens came to light whilst we were in Elounda.

Geometridae Wingspan: 28mm. This is a female. The species is an occasional Migrant into the UK, and widespread through Europe . The colours are sexually different.

Geometridae Wingspan: 28mm. This is a Mediterranean species not seen in the north, but it is a close relative to Scopula marginepunctata (Mullien Wave) which is resident in the UK. A single specimen was recorded on the first night at Elounda.

Pyralidae Wingspan: 34mm. An occasional migrant in the UK, this Pyralid species seems to be well established at Elounda. A total of 11 were recorded at our light trap over 5 of the nights of our stay.

Pyralidae Wingspan: 38mm. A common Pyralid moth found throughout Europe and the UK. It is generally found in association with Bee and Wasp Nests.

Arctiidae Wingspan: 22mm. A small "Tiger Moth" which was very plentiful at our hotel. 47 were recorded in the time we were there, and one pair was found mated on the side of the light trap. These were potted up over night, and about 20 eggs were found in the pot the following morning. The adults were released to continue their normal activities. The eggs hatched a few weeks later and fed on a number of wild plants from our garden the resulting caterpillars are shown in the next photograph.

Length: 20mm. This is the offspring from the collected eggs mentioned under the Moth picture. These fed on various wild plants, and then pupated. A number of the resulting adults have emerged, but typical of trying to start a culture three males emerged, and waited around for a female. Unfortunately, the female finally emerged just as the last of the three males expired. there are just a few other pupae in reserve, but it is unknown whether they will be in time. It seems normal that in a particular generation, males will emerge at different times from their sibling females. This might be a mechanism to ensure a genetic mix is normal, as mating will only be made with offspring from different parents most of the time.

Wingspan: 22mm. A small "Wave" which, for some reason has been given the English name of a "Carpet"! It is very closely related to a UK species Idaea rusticata (Least Carpet), but this little moth appears to be a Mediterranean region species. Only three specimens were recorded during our stay at the Elounda Mare Hotel.

Pyralidae, Galleriinae - Wingspan: 28mm. Identification corrected by Martin Honey. Thanks Martin! This species appears to have a Mediterranean distribution. 6 specimens were recorded at the hotel during our stay.

Pyralidae, Phycitinae - Wingspan: 40mm. Identification corrected by Martin Honey.

Wingspan: 22mm. This is an uncertain ID, but appears to be the best match. Three specimens were recorded at the hotel during our stay.

Wingspan: 20mm. ID corrected by Martin Honey. This little "Emerald" was a single specimen which got inside the working Economizer Black UV lamp used on our trap. As it was "baked" by the heat of the lamp overnight, it was very dry when discovered, and could only just be mounted on a pin as an interim state until it can be relaxed enough to set properly at home.

Wingspan: 17mm. This tiny 8mm long moth is a world-wide migrant and is thought to originate from from the Miditerranean Region. It can be found all over Europe and occurs in the UK sometimes in large numbers whenever the weather patterns are helpful in its dispersal. It is so small that the Net Trap we use cannot hold them as they pass out through the holes as quickly as they pass in. During the time at the hotel, we recorded over 125 specimens around the trap area, and probably numbers could be even bigger.

Wingspan: 26mm. A soft pinkish-grey moth with a pale almost-white leading edge to the forewings. Just two specimens were recorded at the hotel during our stay.