Moth and butterfly lovers have the opportunity to take part in a unique dayschool at Bristol University next month.

The dayschool entitled Drawn to the light! Moths and butterflies, will be given by Dr Bill Dixon, who has spent 23 years trapping moths in the Gordano Valley.

The course will begin with the identification of live and set specimens from a moth trap, which will be run, without harm to the moths, on the previous evening.  A discussion of moth classification and ecology will follow.

In the afternoon there will be a chance to collect moth larvae and, depending on the weather, look for and identify some of the local butterflies in Leigh Woods and the Botanic Gardens.

Dr Dixon, commenting on the course, said: ‘We are all familiar with moths surrounding any bright light they can find on a balmy summer evening – some even fly silently into our homes and emerge when the light is switched on and dive fearlessly at the shining object.

‘This educational and fun course will help identify some of these magnificent creatures and dispel the myth that moths are nocturnal.’

The interactive talk, organised by the University’s Public Programmes Office, will take place on Saturday, June 26, at the Botanic Gardens, North Road, Leigh Woods, Bristol from 10 am to 4 pm.

Tickets are priced at £18.  Prior enrolment is essential, to book your place contact Jo Emslie, Public Programmes Office, 8-10 Berkeley Square, Bristol or tel 0117 928 7165.

People attending the course are asked to bring an umbrella.  This will be used to collect whatever falls from the trees when they’re shaken.