jackgelinas's Journal

I spent most evenings this spring/summer staying up late checking a light sheet and then setting a home made trap before bed. Every morning I would go out and check what the evening's catch was with my daughter. I can confirm what some other 'moth-ers' have said about rainy evenings, moths don't mind rain and I actually had some of my best catches on rainy nights. Now that temperatures are dropping I have dismantled my sheet and light setup and am beginning to prepare for next year.

My daughter and I began collecting insects last summer after being inspired by Entomica and seeing the insect collection at Sault College. I am currently working on 'digitizing' last years specimens. I have also been pinning this years catches. My hope is by spring I will have an empty freezer and photographs of all the specimens in the collection.

Thank you to eveyone who helped with ID's on both my moth and 'not-moth' observations. I've learned a lot in my first year on iNat!

2023 Stats:

Total species: 320

Total species caught in trap: 91

First of the season: Apr 13, 2023 - Speckled Green Fruitworm Moth (Orthosia hibisci)

https://inaturalist.ca/observations/154808722

Last of the season: Sep 23, 2023 - Copper Underwing (Amphipyra pyramidoides)

https://inaturalist.ca/observations/184794634

2023 Top 10 Favourite Observations:

The following are my personal 10 favourite from this season, in no particular order.

• Glorious Habrosyne Moth Habrosyne gloriosa
  
  https://inaturalist.ca/observations/171836448

• White Underwing Catocala relicta
  
  https://inaturalist.ca/observations/181906166

• Hologram Moth Diachrysia balluca
  
  https://inaturalist.ca/observations/175921498

• Common Swift Moth Korscheltellus lupulina (first for Algoma!)
  
  https://inaturalist.ca/observations/166415556

• Wild Cherry Sphinx Sphinx drupiferarum
  
  https://inaturalist.ca/observations/172538115

• Black-rimmed Prominent Pheosia rimosa
  
  https://inaturalist.ca/observations/163334718

• The Joker Feralia jocosa
  
  https://inaturalist.ca/observations/160900015

• Polyphemus Moth Antheraea polyphemus
  
  https://inaturalist.ca/observations/165933988

• Modest Sphinx Pachysphinx modesta
  
  https://inaturalist.ca/observations/169578564

• Pink Underwing Catocala concumbens
  
  https://inaturalist.ca/observations/180352193

2024 Wish List:

These are my 10 most 'hoped for' species going into next year.

• Comstock's Sallow Feralia comstocki
• Diervilla Clearwing Hemaris aethra
• Small-eyed Sphinx Paonias myops
• Imperial Moth Eacles imperialis
• Luna Moth Actias luna
• Cecropia Moth Hyalophora cecropia
• Rosy Maple Moth Dryocampa rubicunda
• Isabella Tiger Moth Pyrrharctia isabella
• Painted Lichen Moth Hypoprepia fucosa
• Primrose Moth Schinia florida