Female moths release chemicals
called pheromones, which are used to attract males of the same species,
often from some distance. A traditionally used entomological technique
for attracting some species is ‘assembling’, in which
a freshly emerged female is put in a cage to attract males of the
species.This is particularly effective for species such as the Emperor
Moth Saturnia pavonia. Pheromones may also be
artificially produced and are used in the control of pest species.
In recent years there has been much interest
in the use of artificially produced pheromones in moth recording,
particularly for attracting clearwing moths. Clearwings are generally
difficult species to observe as they are day-flying and easily overlooked
amongst wasps, flies and other day-flying insects. National Moth
Night and Day 2008 provides an ideal opportunity
to look for clearwings as several species are on the wing at this
time of year. Clearwing pheromones
may be obtained from entomological equipment suppliers such as those
listed below:
Anglian Lepidopterist Supplies www.angleps.btinternet.co.uk
Biota www.bioquip.net
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