Marvellous Moths at Wilder Doddington

Come and learn about moths, the role they play in nature’s complex web of life and how you can help them. As habitats across Wilder Doddington continue to evolve, the team are recording an increasingly diverse and unusual range of moth species on the estate. With over 2,500 species in the UK, learning where to start can feel daunting, but with expert guidance you will soon begin to spot the clues.

Moths are masters of pattern and camouflage, from soft browns and greys to vivid flashes of red, yellow and blue. Their wing markings can help protect them from predators and they also offer key features for identification. They are an important food source for birds and bats so knowing more about moths and the food plants of their larvae helps us all to help nature.

What to expect
An introduction to moths and their role in ecosystems
How moth traps work and what they can tell us about local biodiversity
Identification tips using patterns, colours and key features such as antennae
Live catches brought in from previous nights’ trapping, plus specimens to explore whatever the weather
Insights into the research that Doddington is supporting with Rothamsted Research
Rothamsted Research monitoring site

In 2022, Doddington was chosen as a monitoring site within a nationwide network of around 80 light-traps that have been collecting invaluable data on the migration of moths, aphids and insect biodiversity since 1964

Your guide
Martin Gray is a local entomologist specialising in moths. He is the South Lincolnshire County Moth Recorder and the Micro Moth Recorder for Nottinghamshire and has been trapping moths from his garden near Doddington for 35 years.