Magic in the Moth Trap, A Morning with Moth Man

Last week, we had an early start at Diptford Down Farm to welcome back the one and only Moth Man, and as always, he brought a bit of quiet magic with him. A small group of us gathered around the moth trap, curious to see who’d turned up overnight.

Moths are surprisingly chilled in the daytime—unlike butterflies, they tend to sit tight and rely on their camouflage to stay safe. Some looked like twigs or bits of bark, others like sunflower seeds or crumpled leaves. One of the standouts was the Rosy Footman, all pale colours and fine, inky markings, like someone had drawn on it with a pen.

We found loads of different species this time: the fluffy-looking Buff Ermine, the striking Magpie, the tiny V-Pug with its subtle patterns, and the silvery Clouded Silver. We even had a visit from the Elephant Hawk-moth, a stunner with pink and olive wings, fresh from feeding on willowherb and fuchsia as a caterpillar.

One of the favourites? A moth called The Uncertain. The name alone made everyone smile—it sounds like it’s just figuring things out, like the rest of us.

🌿 In total, we spotted over 40 species, a brilliant turnout for one morning! The full list, is at the bottom of this blog.

As we drank tea and swapped moth facts, one guest told us about a friend who once threw a birthday party called The Moth Ball, where everyone dressed as a different species. We’re not saying we’re planning one, but we’re also not not planning one.

Rob the Farmer said:

“I really wish I had come down earlier to see more moths. I thought it was amazing to see how colourful some of the moths were. The one that disguised itself as a piece of wood (Buff-tip) was fascinating. A very informative event.”

We wrapped up with breakfast, a few more questions than answers, and a renewed appreciation for these often-overlooked night visitors. Not a bad way to start the day.

Moth-Friendly Tips for Gardens & Greenspaces
By Holly Briar, Community & Farm Biodiversity Coordinator

Want to support moths in your garden or local green space? Here are some of my top tips:

🌱 Leave wild patches
Nettles, docks, grasses, thistles and knapweed provide food for caterpillars, winter shelter and daytime hiding places. A wilder patch enhanced with wildflowers supports even more species, you can see how we’re doing this at Common Flora.

🌾 Leave hedgerow bases uncut
Avoid tidying too much, a wild edge with brambles and scrub offers egg-laying sites, refuge and overwintering spots.

🌳 Keep hedgerows diverse
A mix of native trees, hedgerow plants and grasses is best. Oak, bramble, nettles, hawthorn and hazel are excellent for caterpillars. Many moth larvae feed on grass, so allow some areas to grow long before cutting once or twice a year.

🌸 Plant nectar-rich, night-scented flowers
Evening primrose, night-scented stock, red and white campion, honeysuckle and even tobacco plants attract night-feeding moths, including large migrants like the Convolvulus Hawk-moth. Buddleia is great for moths as well as butterflies.
🌿 For more plant ideas, check out the RHS guide to moth-friendly gardening.

Sharing What We Find

Every moth we record helps build a bigger picture. You can send sightings to the volunteer County Moth Recorder, who forwards them to the Butterfly Conservation Trust and the Devon Biodiversity Records Centre (run by Devon Wildlife Trust).

It’s a small act, one moth, one moment, but it connects us to a bigger web of knowledge and care. And if this has sparked something in you, have a look at the Devon Moth Group, a brilliant resource for anyone curious about moths, night-time nature or the overlooked life buzzing just beyond the porch light.

We’re already dreaming up new ideas, maybe even our own Moth Ball next year? Until then, keep your eyes open, and the egg boxes ready.