{"id":1923,"date":"2021-06-15T10:21:40","date_gmt":"2021-06-15T10:21:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/?p=1923"},"modified":"2021-06-15T10:21:40","modified_gmt":"2021-06-15T10:21:40","slug":"fly-by-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/?p=1923","title":{"rendered":"Fly By Night"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The nighttime air was very warm and muggy, leading you to believe it was mid-summer, and not early June. These are the kind of nights that make it uncomfortable to sleep, unless you have A\/C cooling you, or a fan blowing your way. But these are the perfect kind of evenings that flying insects thrive in-usually seeking out a mate, or perhaps something to feed on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/MothCloth-1024x498.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1952\"\/><figcaption>Hanging a white sheet with a black light shining on it can attract loads of cool, flying insects!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In the darkness near the edge of our woodlot, I hung a plain white sheet on the clothesline. I rigged up the small black light I purchased on-line, to a shepherd\u2019s hook, plugged it in and waited. In less than one minute the first insects started to show up at the eerie blue light that reflected off the white sheet. Over the next hour and half the white sheet quickly was covered with hordes of just about every type of nocturnal flying bug I could think of-and some I didn\u2019t expect! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IOfemale2-1024x498.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1932\" width=\"615\" height=\"299\"\/><figcaption>IO Moth (female)<br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/VATigerMoth-848x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"1955\" data-full-url=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/VATigerMoth.jpg\" data-link=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/?attachment_id=1955\" class=\"wp-image-1955\"\/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Virginia Tiger Moth<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/TheHebrew-876x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"1954\" data-full-url=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/TheHebrew.jpg\" data-link=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/?attachment_id=1954\" class=\"wp-image-1954\"\/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">The Hebrew<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/TheBeggar-1-1024x899.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"1953\" data-full-url=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/TheBeggar-1.jpg\" data-link=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/?attachment_id=1953\" class=\"wp-image-1953\"\/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">The Beggar<br><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There were loads of moths (my primary target), caddisflies, mayflies, craneflies, beetles, midges and many other tiny crawling bugs I couldn\u2019t identify. The black light even attracted several Wood Cockroaches (yes, they can fly)! Why does a black light work so well?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/AIStonefly-1024x498.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"1945\" data-full-url=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/AIStonefly-scaled.jpg\" data-link=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/?attachment_id=1945\" class=\"wp-image-1945\"\/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Stonefly<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/AIMayfly-767x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"1944\" data-full-url=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/AIMayfly.jpg\" data-link=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/?attachment_id=1944\" class=\"wp-image-1944\"\/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Mayfly<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/AICadisflies3-698x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"1943\" data-full-url=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/AICadisflies3.jpg\" data-link=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/?attachment_id=1943\" class=\"wp-image-1943\"\/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Caddisflies<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Beetle4Longhorn-805x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"1948\" data-full-url=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Beetle4Longhorn.jpg\" data-link=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/?attachment_id=1948\" class=\"wp-image-1948\"\/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Longhorn Beetle<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/GrapevineBeetle-669x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"1930\" data-full-url=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/GrapevineBeetle-scaled.jpg\" data-link=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/?attachment_id=1930\" class=\"wp-image-1930\"\/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Grapevine Beetle<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Beetle3BlackFirefly-827x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"1947\" data-full-url=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Beetle3BlackFirefly.jpg\" data-link=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/?attachment_id=1947\" class=\"wp-image-1947\"\/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Black Firefly<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Many insects can see ultraviolet light, which has shorter wavelengths than light visible to the human eye. For this reason, a black light will attract different insects than a regular incandescent light. This is the same theory behind people hanging \u201cbug zappers\u201d in their backyards. Unfortunately, black lights do not work well at attracting biting insects, and bug zappers harm more beneficial insects than pests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/ChosenSallowCommonGray-1024x559.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1926\"\/><figcaption>Chosen Sallow (l), Common Gray (r)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/LaurelSphinx-678x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"1951\" data-full-url=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/LaurelSphinx.jpg\" data-link=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/?attachment_id=1951\" class=\"wp-image-1951\"\/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Laurel Sphinx<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/WhiteSpringMoth-1024x959.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"1941\" data-full-url=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/WhiteSpringMoth-scaled.jpg\" data-link=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/?attachment_id=1941\" class=\"wp-image-1941\"\/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">White Spring Moth<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/EasternTentCaterpillar-1024x1015.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"1928\" data-full-url=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/EasternTentCaterpillar.jpg\" data-link=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/?attachment_id=1928\" class=\"wp-image-1928\"\/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Eastern Tent Caterpillar<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As I mentioned previously, my main goal was to see (and try to ID) the wide variety of moth species that live around our home. I\u2019m amazed how many different kinds there are! Most of them are small, plain brown or gray-colored, but some are spectacular, with large bright-colored eye spots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/RosyMapleMoth.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"1938\" data-full-url=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/RosyMapleMoth.jpg\" data-link=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/?attachment_id=1938\" class=\"wp-image-1938\"\/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Rosy Maple Moth<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img src=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Red-borderedEmerald-1024x894.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"1937\" data-full-url=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Red-borderedEmerald.jpg\" data-link=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/?attachment_id=1937\" class=\"wp-image-1937\"\/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Red-bordered Emerald Moth<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Some have amazing colors and patterns, with beautiful fern-like antennae-almost like they\u2019ve been hand painted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/FeatheryAnt.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1950\"\/><figcaption>The feathery-looking antennae of a moth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Others are downright weird-looking, and a few are even creepy! Most people have no idea the diversity of moth species that live around them, since they\u2019re mainly nocturnal. I do not harm any of the moths or other insects I try to attract to my black light and white sheet, since many of them are important pollinators. I simply like to see what\u2019s out there, and usually by dawn most have flown away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, when daylight approaches, many of the winged insects are still attached to the white sheet, making them easy prey for a few hungry birds. Our resident Gray Catbirds is one of the species that looks forward to my evening \u201csheet attractions,\u201d since it takes advantage of an easy breakfast by simply picking them off!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Catbird1Bugs-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1958\"\/><figcaption>Gray Catbird helping itself to an &#8220;easy picking&#8221; breakfast!<br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As I mentioned earlier, hot, sticky nights seem to be the best conditions to attract flying insects. But you can draw in moths and other bugs to your light any time of the year, as long as the air temps are above 50 degrees F. However, late spring and summer are the still the most active seasons for the variety of insects that Fly By Night! Enjoy!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The nighttime air was very warm and muggy, leading you to believe it was mid-summer, and not early June. These are the kind of nights that make it uncomfortable to sleep, unless you have A\/C cooling you, or a fan blowing your way. But these are the perfect kind of evenings that flying insects thrive &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/?p=1923\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Fly By Night<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1923"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1923"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1923\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1963,"href":"https:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1923\/revisions\/1963"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1923"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1923"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodyoutdoors.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1923"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}