Caddis & Alder Flies – and Moth Trap News

I eventually got around to sending six caddis flies from 2023 to Tony for determination. Three of the caddis flies were from Raasay, the remainder from Skye. One of the caddis flies, Glossosoma conformis, and the alder fly, Sialis fuliginosa, are new to the vice-county in NBN terms. Tony remarks that this is the only one of the three British alder flies that he hasn’t recorded himself. Ian Wallace (national recording scheme) has confirmed all of his caddis identifications.

On the moth trap front, I have reversibly modified my Heath trap to take a Podlight LED light source. I am hoping that the different wavelengths may attract a different range of moths as the season wears on.

It can be powered by the very portable power pack in the image, the car battery I use with the usual actinic light or, if I buy a suitable transformer, off the mains.

The weather has really not been suitable for moth traps recently, but I had a trial run and caught a few moths using the Podlight. There was nothing remarkable, but the catch included a very fresh-looking Engrailed:

The Engrailed

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