- Lead scientist
- Andrew Halstead (RHS)
- Partners
- Rothamsted Research
- Start date
- 1975
- Keywords
Moth survey, Macrolepidoptera, Rothamsted light trap, RHS Wisley, Rothamsted insect survey
- Benefits to gardeners
Active involvement in a long-term surveys, such as the Rothamsted Insect Survey, is vital in order to determine changes and trends in UK biodiversity, particularly in the light of climate change. The Rothamsted light trap network is organised by Rothamsted Research and run with the help of volunteers at about 80 sites in the UK. It is used primarily to monitor the distribution, flight period and abundance of the larger (macro) moths.
- The problem
Long-term monitoring of the distribution and abundance of animals is needed to determine changes due to human impacts, such as land use changes and climate change. The data from the network of light traps has a range of applications in fundamental and applied aspects of insect population dynamics and ecology.
An analysis of the data set generated by the network of traps from 1968 to 2002 was carried out by Rothamsted Research and Butterfly Conservation. This generated national population trends for 337 species of common macromoths for the first time. Worryingly, two-thirds (226 species) show decreasing population trends over the 35-year period.
- Approach
Rothamsted light traps are run on every night throughout the year. Altogether more than 430 sites throughout Britain have been sampled since the survey began. The earliest moth records date back to 1933 from a trap on Rothamsted Farm, near Harpenden, Herts, and a national network has been in operation since 1968.
A Rothamsted light trap has been running at RHS Garden Wisley since 29 May, 1975. It is situated near the Propagation glasshouses . The macromoths are identified and counted by the entomology volunteer, and the data are sent to Rothamsted Research at the end of each year. To date, more than 400 species of larger moth have been recorded in the Wisley trap. In addition to the macromoths, the smaller (micro) moths, lacewings (Neuroptera), beetles, true bugs and leafhoppers are identified and counted.
- Further information
Rothamsted insect survey
The State Of Britain's Moths report (Butterfly Conservation)