Will be on a multi-week trip there from the USA next month. May have some opportunities to run moth lights (UV lights, etc.) with a moth sheet and was just wondering if there were any special issues, e.g. getting invaded by stinging insects, to be aware of at that time of year.
Thanks for any help
should mostly be fine. I’ve run a number of moth sheets in Western Australia, only issue I’ve ever had was a couple of exceptionally humid nights that triggered termite nuptial flights, and we got swarmed
@simono can give some better advice on what to expect
if you’re not intending to already, I would also make sure you use a ground sheet under the sheet, you’ll get a lot on it
here’s a photo from a 2022 trip I did with two mates to Kalbarri; we ordered a gazebo beforehand, and got it delivered to our accommodation, and picked it up after our flight landed
Also worth being aware that spiders are often attracted to vibration. I’ve used a generator in the past and ended up looking like a scene in the set of Arachnophobia. Not an issue with batteries.
Thanks all for the helpful comments. The focus of the trip will be birds, but I hope to also run lights on the side (with a battery).
One area will be visiting is Perth. I notice it is quite cool this time of year, so probably not much will come in to lights? If that is correct, I might just skip lights for the Perth section of the trip.
I haven’t mothed in Australia, but sometimes you never know. If you have the time, it’s often worth it.
A few annoyances -
Cynidae (burrowing bugs) and stink bugs such as Cephaloplatus / Oncocoris can turn up in gigantic numbers in the wet season. Their chemical stink will get into everything, and you absolutely don’t want any in your eyes. This was in a sink in an outdoor communal laundry area after a light was left on the previous night. Tribe Geotomini from Douglas-Daly NT 0822, Australia on February 09, 2024 at 06:18 AM by simono · iNaturalist
Beware of crushing blister beetles and paederine rove beetles onto your skin. It will be muggy and hot at night if you are in the tropics and they can also become agitated and release caustic chemicals simply when they find themselves stuck in your sweat or poisoned by insect repellent you are wearing. Have water on hand and go to flush it IMMEDIATELY when you feel even the mildest burning sensation - it can take several minutes for the burn to take effect fully. I have several scars around my neck and shoulders where they have caused chemical burns before I could rush to get water from a vehicle further away.
Huge masses of micronectid water bugs if you are near water, sometimes tetrigidae (pygmy grasshoppers) or other similar very small things - I’m talking a ‘soup’ of writhing insects in the folds of the light sheet. The masses of extremely small insects can pose a significant hazard if they enter your ears (and you WILL get some in your eyes). Have something on hand to flush them out, or block your ears. The masses of insects can be so overwhelming that I’ve had trips with another person that have had to be called off after it got too much for them to handle. You’ll have tiny insects stuck under your clothes that will probably accompany you home in your vehicle too.
Invasive cane toads will be attracted to the insects at your light and start gobbling the catch that is on the ground. Don’t leave unattended for too long and kill or remove any cane toads that turn up as soon as you can. Native frogs will also show up so be sure you can tell them apart and avoid hurting the latter.
Water buffalo and feral pigs that normally flee from a person on foot in the day will wander right up to the light while you are there at night because it is not a thing they are used to seeing in the bush.
Wait - sorry I need to clarify, are you hanging around southern WA or northern WA? I am in the Top End (north) of Australia and a lot of the things I discuss here would not be relevant near Perth at all.
You are right that it will be cooler near Perth at this time of the year, but you certainly still can get many insects earlier in the evening before the night gets really cold.
Alice Springs in the NT is definitely very cold at night too, but you will have excellent results in the top half of the NT at night.
Many thanks for the detailed info. I’ll be visiting all those places (Perth area, Darwin area, Kununurra, Alice Springs), but probably won’t be setting up lights far from civilization, or for more than a few hours. Will shut things down if I start getting swarmed.
Drop me a DM when you get into the north.
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