@vc33moths.bsky.social
And why it’s not worth the bother - it’s so frustrating!
Details in Alt text.
Details in Alt text.
November 19, 2025 at 4:04 PM
And why it’s not worth the bother - it’s so frustrating!
Details in Alt text.
Details in Alt text.
Compensation (?) for a cold wet walk on the Berkshire Downs above Uffington on 14/10.
Probable feeding evidence of Coleophora ahenella in Buckthorn. Large cream coloured blotches with large feeding holes.
#teammoth
Probable feeding evidence of Coleophora ahenella in Buckthorn. Large cream coloured blotches with large feeding holes.
#teammoth
October 16, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Compensation (?) for a cold wet walk on the Berkshire Downs above Uffington on 14/10.
Probable feeding evidence of Coleophora ahenella in Buckthorn. Large cream coloured blotches with large feeding holes.
#teammoth
Probable feeding evidence of Coleophora ahenella in Buckthorn. Large cream coloured blotches with large feeding holes.
#teammoth
Some leaf mine bits and pieces from Cheltenham today.
Caloptilia honoratella mines in Sycamore (first mine record for VC33); Lyonetia clerkella mine in Robinia pseudoacacia (probable xenophagy, larva dead) and Bucculatrix bechsteinella in pear (an unusual foodplant in Glos).
Caloptilia honoratella mines in Sycamore (first mine record for VC33); Lyonetia clerkella mine in Robinia pseudoacacia (probable xenophagy, larva dead) and Bucculatrix bechsteinella in pear (an unusual foodplant in Glos).
October 13, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Some leaf mine bits and pieces from Cheltenham today.
Caloptilia honoratella mines in Sycamore (first mine record for VC33); Lyonetia clerkella mine in Robinia pseudoacacia (probable xenophagy, larva dead) and Bucculatrix bechsteinella in pear (an unusual foodplant in Glos).
Caloptilia honoratella mines in Sycamore (first mine record for VC33); Lyonetia clerkella mine in Robinia pseudoacacia (probable xenophagy, larva dead) and Bucculatrix bechsteinella in pear (an unusual foodplant in Glos).
Phyllonorycter pastorella
Looking at the underside of Crack Willow leaves in the garden produced this example of a mine with a string central crease. Approx 10mm long axis, unfortunately it was parasitized (hole at 9 o’clock) Mine contained frass and front of pupa.
First for Glos
Looking at the underside of Crack Willow leaves in the garden produced this example of a mine with a string central crease. Approx 10mm long axis, unfortunately it was parasitized (hole at 9 o’clock) Mine contained frass and front of pupa.
First for Glos
October 8, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Phyllonorycter pastorella
Looking at the underside of Crack Willow leaves in the garden produced this example of a mine with a string central crease. Approx 10mm long axis, unfortunately it was parasitized (hole at 9 o’clock) Mine contained frass and front of pupa.
First for Glos
Looking at the underside of Crack Willow leaves in the garden produced this example of a mine with a string central crease. Approx 10mm long axis, unfortunately it was parasitized (hole at 9 o’clock) Mine contained frass and front of pupa.
First for Glos
A selection of species visiting an old jam and over-ripe fruit mix in the last few evenings:
Vine’s Rustic
Square-spot Rustic
Large Yellow Underwing
Agriphila geniculea
Vine’s Rustic
Square-spot Rustic
Large Yellow Underwing
Agriphila geniculea
August 22, 2025 at 6:36 PM
A selection of species visiting an old jam and over-ripe fruit mix in the last few evenings:
Vine’s Rustic
Square-spot Rustic
Large Yellow Underwing
Agriphila geniculea
Vine’s Rustic
Square-spot Rustic
Large Yellow Underwing
Agriphila geniculea
Phyllocnistis mines from Oxford this morning.
What would have been in simpler times P. saligna in White Willow, P. xenia in White Poplar and P. unipunctella in Lombardy Poplar (with side order of Aulagromyza - another complication)
What would have been in simpler times P. saligna in White Willow, P. xenia in White Poplar and P. unipunctella in Lombardy Poplar (with side order of Aulagromyza - another complication)
August 14, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Phyllocnistis mines from Oxford this morning.
What would have been in simpler times P. saligna in White Willow, P. xenia in White Poplar and P. unipunctella in Lombardy Poplar (with side order of Aulagromyza - another complication)
What would have been in simpler times P. saligna in White Willow, P. xenia in White Poplar and P. unipunctella in Lombardy Poplar (with side order of Aulagromyza - another complication)
White-point rescued from a window upstairs on the bus to Oxford this morning. Not new to SP12, but definitely NFBTO
August 14, 2025 at 6:28 PM
White-point rescued from a window upstairs on the bus to Oxford this morning. Not new to SP12, but definitely NFBTO
Photographed climbing the house wall here in Cheltenham this afternoon. Help appreciated as to species.
#UKbutterflies #butterflies
#UKbutterflies #butterflies
August 11, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Photographed climbing the house wall here in Cheltenham this afternoon. Help appreciated as to species.
#UKbutterflies #butterflies
#UKbutterflies #butterflies
In accordance with the requirement to chop and change common names on a whim, this is now the “my desiccated front garden moth”. 30 caterpillars of varying size on a Prickly Lettuce plant.
#teammoth
#teammoth
July 25, 2025 at 6:11 PM
In accordance with the requirement to chop and change common names on a whim, this is now the “my desiccated front garden moth”. 30 caterpillars of varying size on a Prickly Lettuce plant.
#teammoth
#teammoth
And here is an attempt to show spread: 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Tentative evidence of east to west spread, but so little light recording in the Cotswolds makes for uncertainty.
July 22, 2025 at 6:28 PM
And here is an attempt to show spread: 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Tentative evidence of east to west spread, but so little light recording in the Cotswolds makes for uncertainty.
The 21 is the number of recorded tetrads.
Total records since 2021 = 80
Total records since 2021 = 80
July 22, 2025 at 6:22 PM
The 21 is the number of recorded tetrads.
Total records since 2021 = 80
Total records since 2021 = 80
Not your average speck of dust and quite a challenge to photograph…
Aproaerema polychromella, first for the VC, seen on the sheet behind the actinic trap this morning.
#teammoth
Aproaerema polychromella, first for the VC, seen on the sheet behind the actinic trap this morning.
#teammoth
July 14, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Not your average speck of dust and quite a challenge to photograph…
Aproaerema polychromella, first for the VC, seen on the sheet behind the actinic trap this morning.
#teammoth
Aproaerema polychromella, first for the VC, seen on the sheet behind the actinic trap this morning.
#teammoth
Small Ranunculus - the trading estate moth.
Take a defunct Homebase, neglected shrubbery and plenty of Prickly Lettuce and it’s home from home for the Small Ranunculus.
Take a defunct Homebase, neglected shrubbery and plenty of Prickly Lettuce and it’s home from home for the Small Ranunculus.
July 10, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Small Ranunculus - the trading estate moth.
Take a defunct Homebase, neglected shrubbery and plenty of Prickly Lettuce and it’s home from home for the Small Ranunculus.
Take a defunct Homebase, neglected shrubbery and plenty of Prickly Lettuce and it’s home from home for the Small Ranunculus.
A walk in the park…
From this afternoon:
Leucoptera laburnella in Laburnum,
Lyonetia clerkella in Swedish Whitbeam,
Stigmella aceris in Field Maple,
Etainia louisella in Field Maple seed.
Aceris photo also has probable Caloptilia semifascia fold.
#teammoth
From this afternoon:
Leucoptera laburnella in Laburnum,
Lyonetia clerkella in Swedish Whitbeam,
Stigmella aceris in Field Maple,
Etainia louisella in Field Maple seed.
Aceris photo also has probable Caloptilia semifascia fold.
#teammoth
July 4, 2025 at 5:20 PM
A walk in the park…
From this afternoon:
Leucoptera laburnella in Laburnum,
Lyonetia clerkella in Swedish Whitbeam,
Stigmella aceris in Field Maple,
Etainia louisella in Field Maple seed.
Aceris photo also has probable Caloptilia semifascia fold.
#teammoth
From this afternoon:
Leucoptera laburnella in Laburnum,
Lyonetia clerkella in Swedish Whitbeam,
Stigmella aceris in Field Maple,
Etainia louisella in Field Maple seed.
Aceris photo also has probable Caloptilia semifascia fold.
#teammoth
A précis if the entry in this very useful book
July 4, 2025 at 2:45 PM
A précis if the entry in this very useful book
Agonopterix arenella caterpillar found in a loose spinning in a Burdock leaf this pm.
ID helped by
identikit.fscbiodiversity.uk/wenman/mimol...
A guide par excellence for micro moth larvae
ID helped by
identikit.fscbiodiversity.uk/wenman/mimol...
A guide par excellence for micro moth larvae
June 29, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Agonopterix arenella caterpillar found in a loose spinning in a Burdock leaf this pm.
ID helped by
identikit.fscbiodiversity.uk/wenman/mimol...
A guide par excellence for micro moth larvae
ID helped by
identikit.fscbiodiversity.uk/wenman/mimol...
A guide par excellence for micro moth larvae
Following my recent appointment as county recorder for specks of dust, I’m pleased to identify this one as Ectoedemia heringella.
(From a Holm Oak this afternoon)
#teammoth
(From a Holm Oak this afternoon)
#teammoth
June 26, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Following my recent appointment as county recorder for specks of dust, I’m pleased to identify this one as Ectoedemia heringella.
(From a Holm Oak this afternoon)
#teammoth
(From a Holm Oak this afternoon)
#teammoth
Micro-moth odds and ends #3
Not noticed this before, but Box Moth feeding is confined to the lower branches of the large Box trees in a Cheltenham park. A similar situation is sometimes apparent on Horse Chestnuts with Cameraria caterpillars.
#teammoth
Not noticed this before, but Box Moth feeding is confined to the lower branches of the large Box trees in a Cheltenham park. A similar situation is sometimes apparent on Horse Chestnuts with Cameraria caterpillars.
#teammoth
June 25, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Micro-moth odds and ends #3
Not noticed this before, but Box Moth feeding is confined to the lower branches of the large Box trees in a Cheltenham park. A similar situation is sometimes apparent on Horse Chestnuts with Cameraria caterpillars.
#teammoth
Not noticed this before, but Box Moth feeding is confined to the lower branches of the large Box trees in a Cheltenham park. A similar situation is sometimes apparent on Horse Chestnuts with Cameraria caterpillars.
#teammoth
Micro-moth odds and ends #2
Freshly marked Brown House Moth found with 3 others, having feed as larvae in a box of organic fertiliser, with added seaweed. No wonder it looks like a big specimen.
#teammoth
Freshly marked Brown House Moth found with 3 others, having feed as larvae in a box of organic fertiliser, with added seaweed. No wonder it looks like a big specimen.
#teammoth
June 25, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Micro-moth odds and ends #2
Freshly marked Brown House Moth found with 3 others, having feed as larvae in a box of organic fertiliser, with added seaweed. No wonder it looks like a big specimen.
#teammoth
Freshly marked Brown House Moth found with 3 others, having feed as larvae in a box of organic fertiliser, with added seaweed. No wonder it looks like a big specimen.
#teammoth
Micro-moth odds and ends #1
Etainia sericopeza with a very short mine from egg to Norway Maple seed (right side “wing” here)
Tenanted seeds on the ground near under a Norway Maple near you.
Etainia sericopeza with a very short mine from egg to Norway Maple seed (right side “wing” here)
Tenanted seeds on the ground near under a Norway Maple near you.
June 25, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Micro-moth odds and ends #1
Etainia sericopeza with a very short mine from egg to Norway Maple seed (right side “wing” here)
Tenanted seeds on the ground near under a Norway Maple near you.
Etainia sericopeza with a very short mine from egg to Norway Maple seed (right side “wing” here)
Tenanted seeds on the ground near under a Norway Maple near you.
Curious to find out what the procession was, I searched for “Oxford Parade, June 22” and with its unerring accuracy AI came up with the attached.
More sober sources indicated the Corpus Christi procession.
You have to love AI
More sober sources indicated the Corpus Christi procession.
You have to love AI
June 22, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Curious to find out what the procession was, I searched for “Oxford Parade, June 22” and with its unerring accuracy AI came up with the attached.
More sober sources indicated the Corpus Christi procession.
You have to love AI
More sober sources indicated the Corpus Christi procession.
You have to love AI
What gets attracted to what lure is probably still a work in progress.
A couple of ermine pictures here showing contrasting wing colour: Apple Ermine just emerged from a crab apple web and
Orchard Ermine attracted to light here, dark enough to be acceptable as that species.
A couple of ermine pictures here showing contrasting wing colour: Apple Ermine just emerged from a crab apple web and
Orchard Ermine attracted to light here, dark enough to be acceptable as that species.
June 22, 2025 at 7:05 PM
What gets attracted to what lure is probably still a work in progress.
A couple of ermine pictures here showing contrasting wing colour: Apple Ermine just emerged from a crab apple web and
Orchard Ermine attracted to light here, dark enough to be acceptable as that species.
A couple of ermine pictures here showing contrasting wing colour: Apple Ermine just emerged from a crab apple web and
Orchard Ermine attracted to light here, dark enough to be acceptable as that species.
Phyllonorycter comparella emerged y’day from a mine in Lombardy Poplar collected on 10 June. Very limited distribution in Glos. despite widespread planting of Poplar trees.
June 17, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Phyllonorycter comparella emerged y’day from a mine in Lombardy Poplar collected on 10 June. Very limited distribution in Glos. despite widespread planting of Poplar trees.