I recently read that it's possible to attract more moths by using a UV light. I tend to leave my screened porch light on overnight sometimes (with the screen doors open) to attract moths for photographing. I decided that I would purchase a UV light to see if I could bring in some different species. I bought one that is apparently used by DJs for light shows - I'm totally out of touch with that world, but apparently they like to use UV or "black lights" as they are sometimes called. It's just a 24 inch tube-style light fixture that has a plug. I put it on the wall of my porch very easily.
I left it on overnight last night. It really doesn't look like much when it's on, but it does have a purplish glow at night.
This morning, I think just about every moth in my entire neighbourhood was in my porch. It was absolutely amazing. There were hundreds, and they were everywhere. I spent a long time out on the porch taking photographs and being completely excited about all the new moths that had come to visit. I will definitely be using the light on a regular basis, and hope to see more new species being attracted to it. I definitely recommend it to anyone interested in moth photography.
Here are some of the more interesting species that showed up.
Northern apple sphinx (Sphinx poecila) - this beauty was about 2.5 inches long.
The small but pretty clover hayworm moth (Hypsopygia costalis).
A gray spruce looper moth (Caripeta divisata).
This is a beautiful bent-line gray (Iridopsis larvaria).
Another large moth that visited - the fingered dagger (Acronicta dactylina).
I love this little guy - Harris's three-spot moth (Harrisimemna trisignata). It's not a common moth around here and has such a pretty pattern. I was really excited to see it.
I'm not 100% sure on this one but believe it is the bent-winged owlet (Bleptina caradrinalis). Please correct me if I'm wrong on that.
This beauty is the olive angle shades moth (Phlogophora iris).
The red-humped caterpillar moth (Schizura concinna) holds up its wings at an unusual angle.
The tiny but elegant silver-spotted fern moth (Callopistria cordata).
The black-dotted glyph (Maliattha synochitis). That spot on its back is a distinct olive green colour.
The wavy-lined heterocampa moth (Heterocampa biundata).
Finally, the lovely large lace border moth (Scopula limboundata). I'm so pleased to have tried a UV light for mothing, and I hope to share more visitors soon!
