Let's be honest, you are going to be confused when you first start. Even if you start in the early spring when the number of species is low, it may take you several hours to go through 50/60 moths. However, you soon get to know the commoner ones. You will need to buy at least Paul Waring's book and probably Bernard Skinner's too. Be warned though; these only cover the macros and some micros are as large, if not larger than some macros!
OK, you've got the books and everything in the trap is not in your book and so must be new to science! We've all been there so don't get downhearted. Even if you only identify one or two; that's one or two less to identify the next night. Soon you will have recognised all the common species flying at the time and you will be able to concentrate on the new ones.
This isn't the place to go into details about identification but here are a few pointers:
- Read through the field guide regularly. That way you will become familiar with the shapes, markings and patterns. Half the battle with ID is knowing where to start looking. After a while you will know to which family or genus a moth belongs.
- Read the text that goes with the illustration. This often gives advice about separating similar species.
- Don't make the illustration fit the moth - if you are unsure then let it go or take a photo.
- Be aware that books can only illustrate a few examples of each species. Some species are incredibly variable.
- Worn moths are best ignored, at least when you are starting.
- Some species cannot be separated without examining their genitalia. Such species are best recorded as agg. eg Grey and Dark Dagger; Common and Lesser Common Rustic; some of the melanistic Minors.
Having identified your catch what next? How do you know you've got the identifications right? Any moth-er will tell you that you can get it horribly wrong when you first start - even when you've been at it for time too!
- Have a look at the current distribution maps using the search option above.
- Alternatively, get a copy of the recent Atlas of Staffordshire Macro Moths. This has distribution maps for all the macros up to 2000. You will be able to see if the species you have are common, scarce or even new to the county.
- If you have a new or scarce species then you may want to check your identification before submitting your records. Pay attention particularly to the habitat, flight time, similarity to commoner species etc. If possible take a photo for verification.
- The UK Moths website has superb photographs of most of the macros and many of the micros and is excellent for checking species you are unsure of.
- The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery has a large collection of moths which you can visit by appointment. Contact Don Steward in the Natural History section.
- You can also join our E-group where you can post photos or queries for other members to look at.
Don't worry if you struggle at first - we all did - just enjoy it. It's not worth doing it otherwise.
