A Rocha Portugal Observatory Report 2009-2010

68 A Rocha Portugal Observatory Report 2009-2010
MOTH TRAPPING AT CRUZINHA IN 2009 - 2010
Bert Van der Auwermeulen, Paula Banza and Aleksandra Cisek
This report shows the results of moth trapping undertaken in the garden of Cruzinha between 15
January 2009 and 16 December 2010. Some 106 trapping nights were undertaken over the course of
the two years, 55 in 2009 and 51 in 2010. A Skinner trap, with a 125W mercury vapour lamp, located
in the Cruzinha front garden near the weather station, was used on average once a week (every
Thursday). A more intensive programme of trapping was undertaken on occasion, particularly
during the European Moth Nights 9 which were held over 21 - 25 May 2009 and 9 – 13 September
2010. From May 2009 onwards, white sheets were spread around the moth trap to act as an
additional attraction to moths. The list of species also includes a few casual observations made at
Cruzinha during the daytime.
The one hectare garden at Cruzinha contains many mature shrubs and trees, mostly native species
such as Olive, Almond, Cistus species, Mastic and Stone pine. There is an orchard of fruit trees
including citrus, peaches and loquats and a number of organic vegetable plots. Around the garden
are three pond areas and a small reedbed planted for water filtration purposes. With the exception
of areas of grass lawn, the herbs and grasses are native species and left to grow naturally. Cruzinha
is located in an area of extensive grazing, abandoned orchards and traditional small scale farming. In
addition there are a number of private properties with associated gardens. It lies close to the Alvor
Estuary.
In 2009 a total of 5111 individual moths were identified from 301 species at Cruzinha. In 2010 a total
of 7919 individuals from 314 species were identified from those recorded at Cruzinha. The
percentage of individuals trapped and identified within each family, are displayed in Figure 4 and
Figure 6 for 2009 and 2010 respectively.
Much of the dedicated trapping and identification work was undertaken by Paula Banza. She also
gave training to keen long-term volunteers: Bert Van der Auwermeulen and Aleksandra Cisek, who
became very proficient themselves over the course of their time at A Rocha. Aleksandra became
particularly interested in micro-moth identification. This helps to explain the greater number of
individuals and species identified in 2010 compared to previous years.
9 The aim of European Moth Nights is to gather a wide-ranging snapshot of the macro-moths flying during the
period, paying particular attention to migrant species and those in need of conservation within Europe.