How to attract bat-sized moths

People are being asked bait their gardens with special traps to attract moths, particularly the extraordinary palm-sized Convolvulus Hawk-moth in a bid to measure how many moths are coming to our shores over the coming three nights.

Dr Zoe Randle, the Surveys Officer at the Butterfly Conservation charity suggests mixing beer, sugar and treacle to attract moths.

Dr Randle admitted it could be hit and miss but there is a good chance of attracting moths such as the Old Lady and the Red Underwing as well as larger species including the Convolvulus Hawkmoth.

"This moth is the size of a bat," she said.