Backyard Moths!

Our Backyard Moth trap attracts "night life" passing through the yard. After dropping through a funnel below the light, insects settle down onto egg cartons where they spend the night in their own little resting spot. Below are some of the insects we attracted by leaving the light on for 2 hours.

In the morning, we can more closely look at the insects that used our backyard "motel". Ailanthus Webworm Moth is a moth that we often see in daylight hours in the garden.

Moths weren't the only insects attracted to the hotel. Bibio Femoratus are low, clumsy fliers that are usually found a couple of feet off the ground. They seem oblivious and unaware of humans as a threat and will not make any efforts to avoid sudden movements or threatening gestures. This was a new species for me.

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/319006-Bibio-femoratus

Diamondback Moths are found across the globe. They originated in Europe and Asia and have now spread to all continents except Antarctica. They are a pest of crops such as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussel sprouts.

https://wildexplained.com/animal-encyclopedia/understanding-the-diamondback-moth-a-guide/

A Distinct Quaker was the largest moth we found. It's host plants include ash, birch, crabapple, maple and oak trees.

https://www.butterflyidentification.org/information.php?primary_name=distinct-quaker-moth

Rhyssella Nitida is a member of the ichneumonidae wasp family. They attack the immature stages of insects and spiders, providing an important role in controlling insect populations.

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/47199-Ichneumonidae