A few Moths from the Trap

Started running my moth trap once more this year. Ran it earlier in the year and got mostly mulsin and hebrew character moths, ran it today and got a glut of poplar hawk moths a puss moth and others. Distance/regular shots are with the Sigmar 70mm macro and close ups with the MPE 65mm macro. The 70mm is a fantastic little lens for this kind of work where the studio (well flat white surface and a flash either side) is close to you and where its easier to work with its shorter working distance over, say, a 150mm where the long working distance becomes a bit of a pain at times when you're indoors. Esp with any of the larger moths.
I also find that when I then get the 65mm out the shift in working distances isn't too jarring, having just been working with the 70mm.

These were lit with a flash either side with lumiquest softboxes on both.

Any questions, comments and critiques are most welcome

Hebrew character (Orthosia gothica)

Wonderful selection.

You don't seem to have problems with them flapping off under the nearest bush, are they fairly passive when removed from the trap?

Lester Wareham wrote in post #19071259
Wonderful selection.

You don't seem to have problems with them flapping off under the nearest bush, are they fairly passive when removed from the trap?

My thanks!

It varies a lot.
Suffice to say the ones I get photos off are the more inactive ones.

The hawkmoths for example were quite torpid, but were very awake to their surroundings and situation. They'd actually hook onto whatever they were on and wouldn't let go. However even when somewhat agitated they couldn't get enough energy to fly. Even for a wingflap or two (which does end up showing off more of that red underwing you can see in the second to last photo above), but no real flight ability.
Others are so chilled and torpid that their legs fold up and they don't even try and stand (in fairness the smooth surface doesn't help them much). Meanwhile others are ready to go and just need the lid off and they are up and away

I think getting to the trap early after the last cold from the night has chilled them off helps; as does having a chilly end of the night. Some moths are really active and I certainly lose some before I can get them out of the trap.

In this trap I even got one hornet who was half way to being awake. Certainly mobile enough to slowly crawl and buzz its wings up; but again couldn't really take flight, but I'd wager wasn't far off. Thankfully the nest we used to have in the house has moved out (bees have moved in) so whilst we still get them passing through we don't have the swarm we once had (if we did chances are I wouldn't use the trap since it would be full of them by morning).

Overread wrote in post #19071278
My thanks!

It varies a lot.
Suffice to say the ones I get photos off are the more inactive ones.

The hawkmoths for example were quite torpid, but were very awake to their surroundings and situation. They'd actually hook onto whatever they were on and wouldn't let go. However even when somewhat agitated they couldn't get enough energy to fly. Even for a wingflap or two (which does end up showing off more of that red underwing you can see in the second to last photo above), but no real flight ability.
Others are so chilled and torpid that their legs fold up and they don't even try and stand (in fairness the smooth surface doesn't help them much). Meanwhile others are ready to go and just need the lid off and they are up and away

I think getting to the trap early after the last cold from the night has chilled them off helps; as does having a chilly end of the night. Some moths are really active and I certainly lose some before I can get them out of the trap.

In this trap I even got one hornet who was half way to being awake. Certainly mobile enough to slowly crawl and buzz its wings up; but again couldn't really take flight, but I'd wager wasn't far off. Thankfully the nest we used to have in the house has moved out (bees have moved in) so whilst we still get them passing through we don't have the swarm we once had (if we did chances are I wouldn't use the trap since it would be full of them by morning).

Thanks Alex.