After monitoring the Weather for the Martinsville, Indiana area, I made a trip to continue my survey of the moths of Morgan Monroe State Forest,
Monroe County and the Yellowwood State Forest, Brown County, Indiana. The Thursday High Temps was 62 degrees with a Friday 3AM temp of 50.
And a 7AM temp of 38.. The Wednesday temp was in the mid 50's with an overnight low temp of 51 degrees. This was ideal weather for Cold Weather/Winter moths.
I got a late start on Thursday afternoon and did not arrive at Possum Trot area of Yellowwood State Forest until four (4) PM. I quickly set out
four (4) Light Traps and then traveled to Low Gap area of Morgan-Monroe State Forest and set out two (2) Light Traps, Once the traps were set
out I traveled to Martinsville to overnight. As I drove I began to notice the moths in the headlights, and many of them. I thought to myself, self,
there should be a few moths in my traps on Friday morning. I had dinner at Indy’s and then to DQ for desert with a large Strawberry Blizzard.
It began to rain about 7:30PM and continued throughout night, and at times it really put it down. I have rain drains in all my light traps and I
was not concerned. When I awoke 7:00AM the rain had stopped but the temp had dropped to a balmy 38 degrees.
I recovered my Light Traps at Low Gap and found about 35 moths in each trap. Some of the keepers are in the photographs. The run off creek along the
Low Gap trail was full of murky water. I no longer have any working Stop Thermometers and I refuse to pay $70+ for new ones. However, the
thermometer on my Smart Phone indicated 39 degrees. I also checked my Kill Type Bait Traps and found a good number of moths and small black
beetles and a lots of small Diptera. I sorted the traps and began my journey to Yellowwood State Forest,
When I arrived at the Possum Trot Trail Head of the Yellowwood State Forest, part of the trail was washed out. I had a Light Trap on the other side.
I recovered my three other Light Traps and then waded the knee deep water and recovered the fourth Light Trap and also checked my two Kill Type
Bait Traps. I had some moths in the Kill Type Bait Trap, but not near as many as I had at Low Gap.
The rain had splattered off the screen of the Rain Drain in one trap and the bottom had some rain water. The sorting screens kept the moths High
and Dry. The air temps was getting colder, I quickly sorted the Light Traps and as I began to pack my car when it began to rain, and did it rain.
The road to Yellowwood State Forest is dirt road. When I finally got to Ben Blossom and stopped at the General Dollar store to dry off and change
into dry clothes, my car was covered with mud.
I began my journey home to Georgetown, Kentucky via Hoosier National Forest in Perry County, Indiana to check my Bait Traps. I had a fair number
of moths and several Polygonia’s. I dumped them into Tupperware containers to sort out when I arrived at home. I replaced the bait in the traps and
returned home about 6PM.
After I arrived home, stowed my Light Traps and gear, took a hot shower, I had to take Momma out for her birthday dinner. One of the good indicators
of a “Wise Man”. He members his wife’s Birthday and takes her out to a nice restaurant (No Micky D’s or Waffle House) and gives her a nice present.
She got new Leather Boots (Knee High) from the Saddle Shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming and an outstanding dinner at Long Horns Steak House. Now you
why I have been happily married for 53 years.