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 la…

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 ski…

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…

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 sti…

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.

Any issues/hazards with running moth lights in W. Australia or NT?

Nature Talk

mftasp August 4, 2025, 1:49am 4

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.

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Any issues/hazards with running moth lights in W. Australia or NT?

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