iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

A veritable 'purple patch' from our Highlands holiday. These four beauties were all found at the same time in a 2-3ft stretch of trackside vegetation (and fencepost). Scarce Silver Y, Spiked Sb final instar, Heather Sb adult and Hieroglyphic Ladybird. Only the Spiked bug nymph wasn't new to us.

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

@mothiduk.bsky.social Hi, could these be Dark Marbled Carpet, not a species I'm familiar with but so different to the usual Common Marbled I get at home. Trapped near the Cairngorms in early August so unsure if its just a regional colour pattern. Thanks.

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Is it just me or does this bee-mimic Robber Fly seem to be sucking the life out of a tiny evil wizard?

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Our fortnight in the Cairngorms was somewhat restricted with the awful wildfires but we still found a lot of good insects, topped off for me with the elusive Heather Shieldbug (Rhacognathus punctatus) at last, on a walk not far from our holiday home.

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

A proper 'Goth Moth' this one, took me a while to realise it was a Straw Underwing, not come across one so dark before.

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Always nice to get a County first in the trap. This unassuming little feller is Donacaula forficella (Pale Water-veneer) from 9th July, and a first ever record for County Durham V66. from our garden trap in the north of the county.

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

We took this Old Lady caterpillar in from the outside wall of the house in early May, very lethargic and ready to pupate, which it did soon after. Now it's emerged and released into the wild, what a beauty.

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

An unusually red 2nd instar Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) was with us for most of last week but now molted to a more normal green 3rd instar we think as not been seen for a couple of days and now lots of 3rds about in the wild patch.

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Not the rarity they were ten years ago but always nice to randomly come across a Little Egret on your walks, this one on the tidal part of the Derwent earlier #Gateshead

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Found this Small Snakefly (Xanthostigma xanthostigma) near the moth trap early last month, fascinating insect which likes to walk backwards. Didn't realise how unusual it was 'til I put it on irecord as it could be the first official record for Co. Durham, with none on the NBN Gateway either.

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Only took three minutes to attract a Lunar Hornet Moth to the garden this morning using a lure, and not only that he was quite happy to pose for photos. #DurhamVC66

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Back in May we travelled down to the North Yorks Moors to try and find the Duke of Burgundy (the butterfly not the pub), despite the gusty winds we got at least half a dozen territorial males, also a fall of Painted Ladies scattered around the hillside and a Humming-bird Hawk-moth was nice to see.

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

From Bank Holiday Monday, a trip to the Durham Moors primarily looking for Dark Tussock caterpillars was successful, also a few Wood Tiger easy to spot in the short grass, a tiny Chevron larva (all species ticks) and on returning home found a huge Old Lady caterpillar on the wall of the house.

Dark Tussock caterpillar among heather. distinctive white and black tufts on a hairy body.

Wood Tiger caterpillar in short grass. Ginger 'fur' making them easy to pick out.

Pale yellow caterpillar of the Chevron moth among heather, less than 2cm in length and extremely thin, a young larva.

Caterpillar of the Old Lady moth, large and dull brown, standing out on a sandy brick surface.

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

A new March record for the garden trap with 116 moths of 12 species last night. Highlights and new for year were a lovely Shoulder Stripe and fresh Twin-spot Quaker. Top scorers were Common Quack with 49, Hebrew Character 28 and Small Quack 19. #DurhamVC66

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Thought this an unusual Common Quaker with the asymmetrical wing pattern, half normal and half f. confluens. In six years of trapping we've never seen a confluens form so half is better than nothing I suppose 😂 #DurhamVC66

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Went ahead with the trap last night despite 4C temps forecast in bleak Co Durham as we had calm overcast dry(ish) conditions for the first time in weeks. Four moths (more than expected) included the hoped for Spring Usher and Early Moth, both nfg, our first in 6 years of trapping. Result! #TeamMoth

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

First time I've ever trapped in December, only 6c so happy with 13 moths of 7 species. 6x December Moth, 2x Yellow-line Quaker, 1 each of Mottled Umber, Chestnut, Dark Chestnut, Winter Moth and Red-green Carpet. #Teammoth #DurhamVC66

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

My eldest boy found this in a potted plant in the Material Science dept. at his college in Cambridge today, not a great photo but looks a contender for Rhaphigaster nebulosa to me, anyone confirm or otherwise as it's not a species I'm familiar with up north? Thanks.

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

Fantastic show by Lacuna Coil at Northumbria Uni last night, best gig I've been to in a long while. Superb!

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

Always nice to have a Blackcap in the garden

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

Saxon still banging out mighty metal anthems 45 years after I first saw them live at Monsters of Rock Donington, Biff Byford at 74 (I kid you not) sounds as good as ever. Great night at City Hall Newcassel.

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

Traps poor this week but indoors we've had 40+ of these Vitula serratilineela (N. American Bee Moth) likely bred in an old Tree Bee nest in the attic and getting into the upstairs bathroom via gaps in ceiling fittings. A national rarity but NE England a bit of a stronghold. #DurhamVC66 #TeamMoth

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

Not a lot in last night's trap (11:7) but December Moth was our earliest record, a couple of Feathered Thorns, beautifully marked Mottled Umber and Acleris hyemana is a garden first, so not too shabby. Durham VC66 #TeamMoth

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

Not much doing moth-wise at the mo, so here's something for your amusement from a few years ago when I first got interested in trapping and realised many moth names were also good names for Heavy Metal bands, my other passion. 😀🤘 #TeamMoth

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Got this beaut of an Epirrita sp. moth at the weekend. Though shows outward signs of Autumnal, due to it likely being a female even dissection wouldn't reveal the true species (not that I would), so just like all the dull specimens we got it'll go down as an aggregate. What a shame. #TeamMoth #VC66

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

A Marvel of Mervs, (for want of a better collective noun) #DurhamVC66 #TeamMoth

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

Cloudless skies and low temperatures so touch and go whether to put the trap out at all last night, then checked at 9.45 to find this beauty inside. Could hardly believe it. Only 6 Co. Durham records before this year, just shows the unpredictability of mothing. #ClifdenNonpareil #TeamMoth #VC66

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

A very vocal Ring-necked Parakeet was a flyover garden tick this morning as I tended the moth trap early doors. #Whickham #VC66

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

Found in a Sunderland cemetery yesterday, around 30 final instar nymphs and adult Juniper Shieldbugs on a lone Lawson's Cypress. A pleasing find as I fear they've gone from the previous known site there after checking it without success for the third time this year.

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

@vc40orthops.bsky.social Hi David, my eldest boy is currently on a work placement near Hamburg, saw this as he left work today, said it looks similar to normal ones in terms of colour but nothing normal about it, it was massive (without giving actual size) any ideas on species? Thanks.

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

Some interesting caterpillars from our jollies in Norfolk (early Aug), Buff Tips and Reed Dagger spotted at RSPB Lakenheath, Eyed Hawkmoth (?) from our cottage garden (on Crab apple) at Upwell, though the green one (WWT Welney) has us baffled if anyone from #TeamMoth can enlighten us, thanks.

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

Willow Emerald damselfly posing nicely at the bottom of our Norfolk cottage garden last week.

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

A couple of Wasp Spiders from outside the visitor centre at RSPB Lakenheath. Beauties.

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

Small Red-eyed Damselflies, male and female, from RSPB Lakenheath last week.

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

Some close encounters with Dragons & Damsels this week in NW Norfolk, Brown Hawker at WWT Welney, Red-eyed Damselfly from Upwell and ovipositing Emperor from the moat at NT Oxburgh.

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

Tried a Lunar Hornet Moth lure from the garden more in hope than expectation but Bingo! One turned up first go, and what a cracking moth he is too. #VC66 #Moths

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

Beautiful Golden Y, and isn't it just . . . #VC66 #Moths

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

Setting the Moth Trap up on Friday evening I found a floppy Ghost Moth female on the grass, obv. just emerged, the boy found the pupa sticking out of the ground so we dug it out. The Moth hardened its wings safely and flew off as soon as she was ready. Bonus as we've not seen one locally. #TeamMoth

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

Friday's moth trap brought out a few A-listers with Buff-tip, Peppered Moth, Elephant Hawk-moth and Pale Prominent among my favourites from a very productive session despite the rain. VC66 #TeamMoth

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

A poor year so far for shieldbugs locally. This Parent Bug was my first of the year, only 1 Hairy, 4 final instar Forest Bugs and just 3 Greens. The disaster of last spring seems to have had a knock-on effect. Other common species not seen at all on a decent search of a regular patch.

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

Violet Ground-Beetle scurrying away with part of a dissected slug, worthwhile torch-scanning the garden during a moth trap check as the local hedgehog was also foraging away (Friday night.) VC66

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

A cracking hike over the Nth Yorks Moors to Roseberry Topping produced a wealth of insects. A Green Hairstreak posed nicely, Two-barred Longhorn Beetle and a huge Drinker Moth caterpillar were highlights. also many Latticed and Common Heaths, Emperor Moths, Green Tiger Beetles, and a Cuckoo calling.

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

A selection of greens in and around the trap this week, V-Pug is new for garden, Red-Green Carpet a very common visitor, Yellow-barred Brindle is our first in the county (previously seen in Norfolk) and the Lichen Tortrix (Acleris literana) is a welcome lifer. VC66 #TeamMoth

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

A trip to the Durham Dales didn't produce any Adders today, but small consolation in a few Green Tiger Beetles and suspicious mounds revealed Yellow Meadow Ants, a species we've seen all over the country but these the first in our home county. Scenery was superb on a bright, sunny afternoon.

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 13/04/2025

Four year firsts this weekend taking my Shieldbug 2025 list up to 7 species. Hawthorn, Birch, Bronze and Hairy.

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 13/04/2025

Only 14 moths came to the trap overnight Fri/Sat VC66 but always nice to get a lifer, in this case Oak Nycteoline, and our first Streamer of the Year was a lovely specimen. #TeamMoth

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

There we were playing Table Tennis out in the garden this afternoon and the boy noticed something drop onto the table from the adjacent Cherry trees which turned out to be the shed skin of a Forest Bug nymph, the size of it probably a 2nd to 3rd, will have to scan the trees tomorrow methinks.

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Alan Mould @alanmould.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

A couple of Gorse Shieldbugs (Piezodorus lituratis) sunning themselves in Brambles on Monday were first of the year locally, species number three of that particular group for 2025. Durham VC66

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