#flying kittens

[lycomorpha]

Muslin moth

Angle shades

Brindled beauty

Moth season is heeeeeere, the weather calmed down enough for me to put up the shelter and light trap. Look at these glorious flying kittens!! I will be insufferable about moths for the next 6 moths!

Moth trapping is a non-lethal not-injurous way to meet, count, record, & release your local moth friends. No moths were hurt in the making of this post. 🦋🐾💖

[dersteig]

Another show flier, this time for a show at the 25Watt in Richmond. Flying Kittens are fun to draw.

[lycomorpha]

Super-fluffy brindled beauty moth from my first moth trap of the year! Finally the winds died down enough to put the shelter up and get the moth trap on.

Moth trapping is a non-lethal, friendly way to meet, record, and release your local moth pals. Here's some info if you'd like to know more...

This is my moth trap. It's a Skinner trap with actinic bulb, came as a flat pack kit from AngLeps, & was the best birthday gift EVER! Link: https://www.angleps.com/shop-all/moth-traps

The trap is basically a big box filled with cardboard egg trays. Those 2 transparent top flaps form a kinda chute & there's a UV bulb suspended above the box.

Moths are caught by the light (explanation at the links below) & hang out flying for while.

The moths drop down the chute into the box when they're done, say 'fuck this, I'm knackered' & go to sleep in the egg trays.

In the morning some asshat (me) wakes them up before it's even dark again (sorry moths) to count, record, & release them - away from the trap & any waiting hungry birds! Because hoo boy, birds work out where the trap and its tasty moth residents are and they loiter. Gotta let the moths out in different places, or put the trays back in the trap and release the moths at dusk.

I only put the trap on alternate nights. That's because when moths are in the trap, they're not doing other super-important things like:

- Pollinating ur plants

- Travelling to meet other moths

- Making baby moths

So I don't want to trap the same moths repeatedly, & try to give them a break.

Moth trapping does mean getting up early.You need to check the trap while the moths are still cold and sleepy in their trays. Otherwise they flap off before you can count and record them. They warm up fast!

More cute moth pics after...

Useful links

An article about how moths fly perpendicular to light and get caught by it, rather than flying towards it or being attracted to it. Full disclosure: I illustrated it, and it was my favourite commission ever: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-insects-are-lured-to-lights-in-the-night/

Article explaining the research about how moths fly around artificial lights: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/251217/flying-insects-become-disorientated-trapped-artificial/

My zine about moths being captured by light, from a mothy point of view: https://lycomorpha.etsy.com/uk/listing/4369930997/more-messages-from-the-moth-promotional

[lycomorpha]

Look at this good fuzzy Little Guy. Nut-tree tussock moth AKA the original flying kitten. The pollinating tabby cat of the nighttime skies 🦋🐈🐾 (Moths are important pollinators - they're the night shift, clocking in when the bees go to bed.)

[lycomorpha]

Behold the adorableness of this nut-tree tussock moth and let your Monday be improved.

Moths are important pollinators who take over the night shift when bees go to bed. Look how fluffy it is - basically a tiny flying kitten that pollinates your garden!

Thank you from the Moth Promotional Board ✨🦋🐾🛹✨

[marushaley]

Lmao my kitten is pretty awesome. xD

[devocionario]

[hooplaha]

Flying Kittens vs. Flying Puppies - HooplaHa.com

A debate as old as time, puppies or kittens? Cat lovers and dog lovers have been arguing for years over who is the supreme pet. David Scott Winn decided to help us with this dilemma by creating a flying kittens vs. flying puppies rap battle. The result is utter cuteness. We can't pick a winner, ...Read More