Not casting aspersions but I worry about the ethics of killing box tree moths … we need moths for the bats and birds … if other sorts are becoming scarce maybe we need the box tree moths.
Is killing off a specific moth so that gardeners can grow something purely for aesthetics any different to gamekeepers killing birds of prey to protect ‘their’ grouse?
Not saying it is … just pondering … 🤔
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
If its any consolation, by far the majority of the moths I catch are Large Yellow underwing, 76 one night to 5 Box tree moths. Probably more Large yellow underwings than all the others moths put together. Last week there was a great amount of BTM caught by every moth-er in the area. This week the moth of the week seems to be the lunar underwing in its myriad forms. Lots of micro moths for the insect eaters about. I also stamp on any Red lily beetles, otherwise my lilies would stand no chance at all. All three of these are lunar underwings.
Not casting aspersions but I worry about the ethics of killing box tree moths … we need moths for the bats and birds … if other sorts are becoming scarce maybe we need the box tree moths.
Is killing off a specific moth so that gardeners can grow something purely for aesthetics any different to gamekeepers killing birds of prey to protect ‘their’ grouse?
Not saying it is … just pondering … 🤔
I've no doubt that vine weevils have their uses in the ecosystem too but I'm still going to cull them to save my plants. No one really complains about gamekeepers killing grey squirrels in places where they threaten red squirrels and that's probably a better analogy.
I gave up on moth trapping this year. I've been struggling with low energy and staying up late seems beyond me right now. Luckily I can still go mothing in the old school fashion of just finding them while out walking.
I know there have long been strong arguments in favour of some cullings … just pondering really .., wondering whether there may be a stronger ecological argument against.
Which is more important … our fuchsias or the bats’ food supply?
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
But we are talking about alien invaders. Oak Processionary moth could put paid to Oak trees that provide food for hundreds of other species. Box Tree moth and Lily Beetles just shouldn't be here, any more than Rabbits and Foxes shouldn't be in Australia. They out compete native species to the point of extinction. Cats are lovely pets, but their predatory ways are killing extremely rare birds on Christmas Island, to the point where they have culled all the ferals, neutered all pets, and will not allow any more on to the island. In the last year I have caught Merveille du jour, Green oak tortrix , Acorn weevils, red legged shield bugs, Green brindle moth, Yellow legged clearwings (extremely rare)all totally dependant on Oak, all native and quite rare, and I would rather have them.
One I'm seeing more of this year is Horse Chestnut leaf miner moth. This is quite a mild infestation on a local tree but I suspect it will be worse next year after all these come back as adults.
43% decline in moth numbers in Wales since 1970 (based on 232 recorded species). Bats have shown an increase of 76% since 1998 though. Hopefully these numbers aren't too closely related but it is bad news for moths and the decline is sustained and steady year on year.
It's not all bad news though and there are signs of improvement in some areas. The Welsh Government is a bit more progressive than in England so I have hope that they can build on the current situation.
Ran the trap last night, conditions were not the best, quite chilly and wet and windy, so nothing much about with just 7 moths of 4 species in the trap.
That might be it for this year, though the coming weekend is looking quite warm so you never know.
Managed some pictures this morning before releasing in the Honeysuckle.
I was out walking after dark last night and there were plenty of moths around. It still wasn't the type of weather I'd bother trapping in though. Fingers crossed for the weekend.
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Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
That might be it for this year, though the coming weekend is looking quite warm so you never know.
Managed some pictures this morning before releasing in the Honeysuckle.