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NI Moth Trap Blog & Gallery
Raising awareness of the importance of moths and other insects through trapping and recording, all the while posting the results and pictures here for everyone to enjoy! No inlcudes a fully searchable illustrated database of moths recorded to date. Other research projects based on invertebrates will be published here with species accounts and abundance data where available. NI Moth Trap is part of DGPix Wildlife &Nature Photography
This site has been created to catalogue and raise awareness about the moths and other invertebrates that we find whilst trapping and recording at various sites including our own Co. Armagh garden. Other insects of note and importance will feature here when encountered despite the lepidopteran name of the site, in a bid to increase awareness of the importance of invertebrates on our planet. All data recorded is submitted to CEDaR – the Centre for Environmental Data and Recording to help build maps and accurate analytical information on what we see and where.
A new study for 2023, with kind funding from CEDaR – A new project for this year will see us surveying the invertebrates that come to UV light at previously unrecorded sites. Habitat in untouched woodland, unimproved grasslands, and urban and rural gardens and farmland will be surveyed over the spring/summer/autumn seasons to build data around both lepidopteran and other insect/invertebrate life that is attracted to light traps.
Our 2024 project has come to a close and was based on the fungi of County Armagh, with specific interest in fungal microscopy to aid identification. Details can be found here.
Our application has been submitted for 2025 for freshwater microorganisms and invertebrate studies in peatland sites compared to other standing water sites.
Latest from the Blog
Capturing the Beauty of Carabus granulatus: A Conservation Perspective
Northern Ireland, with its rich biodiversity, provides a perfect setting for photographers and naturalists alike. Among its insect fauna is the ground beetle Carabus granulatus, a fascinating subject for closeup and macro photography. Known for its metallic sheen and textured elytra, this beetle epitomises nature’s artistry, making it an irresistible target for those with a camera…
A Focus on Fungi: Hymenoscyphus fagineus – Mast Disco
Hymenoscyphus fagineus is a small ascomycete fungus that grows on the dead masts of beech trees (Fagus species). They have a short stem and disc, apparent when inspected closely. They are easily overlooked, but can be abundant in the right woodlands where the host tree occurs in numbers. Identification: It forms small, creamy-coloured discs that are almost sessile, with a thick, short stalk barely visible. The flesh is slightly off-white and tough, drying to a reddish-brown colour. Each disc is 2-4mm across. Microscopic features: Distribution: While not as widely recognized as some other fungi, it’s prevalent in regions…
The Fungi of Slantry Wood – Laccaria species
Regular readers will recognise Slantry Wood as one of my regular mothing sites, but this time of year it becomes a fungi site too. Although there hasn’t been much to see, the dry ground has delayed the usual bounty of fungal flushes on the woodland floor. Rain is coming though and the ground is slowly…
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NI Moth Trap 
