Pheromones

The use of pheromones is a moth recording technique which has varying degrees of success. Sex pheromones are mixtures of two or more complex chemical compounds emitted from the sex gland of a female moth. The pheromones can be detected by the specially adapted antennae of the male at very low levels and over relatively long distances. This triggers biological responses in the male which in turn attracts and guides it to the female, ready for mating. The Canary Shouldered-thorn image on the right shows how male moths are equipped to receive female pheromones.

Assembling

An easy and interesting way to see this in action is to place an unfertilised female Emperor moth into a netted cage and hang it outside on a sunny afternoon in April-May. The female moth emits pheromones and after a very short period of time a number of male Emperor moths will assemble around her. The male of this moth species is rarely seen in flight unless this technique is used. Assembling can also be used with a female Oak Eggar with reasonable success.

Pheromone Lures

In recent years Clearwing pheromones lures have been developed and are now commercially available. The Clearwing moths are an unusual family of moths (Sesiidae) with clear scale-less wings, resembling wasps and bees. These moths are difficult to record using traditional techniques. The lures can be used to attract male Clearwing moths with varying degrees of success, and can be obtained from Anglian Lepidopter