People across Norfolk are being asked to carry out their own moth surveys to help wildlife experts build a picture of the species during the autumn.
Nature lovers should look for three species in particular, the red underwing, large thorn and figure of 8, and then send in a picture of the moth with the record of the sighting.
The public is being asked to help by Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service (NBIS), Norfolk's centre for records about the county's wildlife and geology. The information collected will help NBIS understand more about their distribution, contributing to the overall knowledge of Norfolk's biodiversity.
It follows the success of a summer moths survey. Biodiversity information officer Martin Horlock said: 'We were delighted with the public response to our summer moths survey which generated many new records for our database. We hope that people will be as keen to help us again, perhaps trying out a sugar-lure in their gardens. This is a wonderful method for attracting moths that is very exciting for children to help out with. We have also made it really easy for people to send in records through an online recording form on our website, www.nbis.org.uk/MothsAutumn2011Survey. '
There are more than 2,500 species of moth in Britain but recent declines in numbers threaten many species such as birds, bats and small mammals that depend on them for food.
Most moths fly at dusk, or at night when they are less likely to be eaten by predators. A technique to attract moths is called 'sugaring', which involves making a very sticky, artificial nectar solution for the adult moths to feed on.
Pictures of each species can be found on the information leaflet: http://www.nbis.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Moths%20survey_roll-fold_v6_for%20WEB.pdf. Previous NBIS surveys have sought public help with finding glow-worms and species of fungus in the county.
Visit the NBIS website for more information at www.nbis.org.uk
What are you doing for the environment? Call David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk
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