iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

I know flight times are all over the place at the moment but I was very surprised to catch a Brick here in Essex last night. Normally don’t see one until October! #teammoth

0150

Reposted by David Cousins

William Bishop @wjrpb.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

A really good night mothing in Essex for NT with @rahtringbirder.bsky.social @dcousins85.bsky.social and TG. 168 species without the yet to be added smalls. Some excellent moths and an impressive list for the time of year. #TeamMoth.

0191

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

This amazing week shows no signs of stopping. The first Death’s-head Hawk-moth I’ve caught myself was in the actinic this morning here on Dartmoor. Going home today, but will definitely book this Airbnb again! @migrantmothuk.bsky.social #teammoth

2723

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Down to Dartmoor this week for a weekend with my family. Of course the moth trap comes with me - I had hoped for but didn’t really expect the amazing week to continue but my first Striped Hawkmoth arrived as one of four species of Hawks. Fun for all the family! #teammoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

0483

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

I can’t quite believe this but I think this is Enolmis acanthella that was in my trap in Dunmow, Essex overnight. ObsID suggests so and a check of Lepiforum backs that up. Apparently expanding its range in Europe but maybe the first UK record if the ID is right? @migrantmothuk.bsky.social #teammoth

11709

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Another lifer for me were Scythris subcinctella (Rock-rose Runner), quite common at Lydden Temple Ewell reserve which is full of Rock-rose. #teammoth

0110

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Just starting to return to a normal sleep pattern after an intense weekend’s mothing in Kent with @wjrpb.bsky.social Lots of highlights but one real standout - Epiblema Graphana (Yarrow Root-borer), for which I can only see 2 previous UK records, trapped on Sandwich Beach Saturday night #teammoth

0211

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Three new attractive micros to my Essex garden over these last few warm nights. Telechrysis tripuncta the best of them, a lifer for me and very scarce in the county (and a gorgeous little moth to boot) #teammoth

0170

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Some #teammoth goodies from over the weekend in all forms here in Essex. Garden list now at #649 with a totally unexpected and gorgeous Mocha to light on Sunday night. Spuleria flavicaput (Yellow Cap) netted over flowering Hawthorn. Coleophora kuehnella (Cloaked Case-bearer) case on Oak. And Puss!

0170

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Whilst searching for bugs in the Brecks yesterday I disturbed numerous Aroga velocella (Striped Sorrel Moth). Smart little micros when fresh #teammoth

0231

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Tried a Suffolk Heath yesterday for the second of the Heather feeding Coleophora after finding C juncicolella last week in Essex. A lot of sweeping with nothing and then one last swish of the net turned up Coleophora pyrrhulipennella (Heath Case-bearer). #teammoth

0110

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Some targeted sweeping of Heather at Tiptree Heath in Essex provided me with my first new Coleophora of the year yesterday - Coleophora juncicolella (Least Case-bearer). Very few Essex records (but equally very little heathland in the county). #teammoth

Coleophora juncicolella - a small larva that makes a well camouflaged case out of Heather

0241

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

A nice find as bycatch to our moth traps on the Essex coast on Friday with @wjrpb.bsky.social and @jonnywhu.bsky.social I’m no spider expert but this stood out as different and it’s looking good for Phaeocedus braccatus, a spider of sparsely vegetated coastal areas. Only the 2nd county record.

150

Reposted by David Cousins

Steve @pertonmoths.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Happy bunny! Just found Coleophora albitarsella at baggeridge. Case on underside of Ground I've. Could see the pale feeding window so.looked underneath, bingo 😊 looks like 1 other record in staffs, Dovedale 1950! #teammoth @vc39moths.bsky.social

2222

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Another good find from Roman River Valley NR yesterday was a new moth for me - Proutia betulina (Birch Bagworm). #teammoth

1201

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

Some superb Purple Toothwort (Lathraea clandestina) and Moschatel (Adoxa moschatellina) at Roman River Valley NR today in Essex. The rust Puccinia adoxae on one of the Moschatel too. A huge stand of Red Currant (Ribes rubrum) should host some interesting moth larvae before long. #wildflowerhour

0353

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Not many nights that have been suitable for trapping here in Essex over the last week or 2, but better conditions Monday night so gave it a go. Really pleased to get my first Caloptilia falconipennella (Dark Alder Stilt). Garden list now 646 in 3 years #teammoth

0231

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Popped across the border into Suffolk this morning to see a lovely patch of Green Hellebore (Helleborus viridis) near to Haverhill. Just one flower; but what a flower! Also, a bonus Engrailed (Ectropis crepuscularia) resting on a nearby trunk.

0122

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

A few good nights recently at the garden actinic here in Essex. Mostly the expected early Spring fare but pleased to get my first lifer of the year - Acleris umbrana (Dark-streaked Tortrix) with 2 on 22nd. #teammoth

A pair of Acleris umbrana (quite a size difference so potentially a male and female).

0170

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Brief sunshine yesterday so over to the chalk stream section of the Flitch Way via some very muddy woods. Two-spot Ladybird, a Mayfly nymph (prob Cloeon dipterum), the 1st time I’ve seen a Stonefly nymph (I have had adults of Nemoura cinerea here) and a lovely Spider - Platnickina tincta.

Two-spot Ladybird hibernating on Digitalis

Likely a nymph of Cloeon dipterum (by far the most common Mayfly I see).

Probable Nemoura cinerea nymph trying to hide within the Pellia.

Platnickina tincta disturbed from its hiding place in among a Lepraria incanana-covered Oak.

0110

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

3 new moths for the year on Saturday night. Always pleased to get an Early Moth, and this was a nice fresh one. A fairly early March Moth and a Chestnut took my nascent year list to 11 species so far with 9 of those in the garden. #teammoth

0110

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

2 nights of trapping in much more mild conditions here in W Essex with 2 species each night. They are the 4 I’d expect in January but welcomed them like old friends all the same. #teammoth

0361

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

2025 review: an enjoyable year’s recording with 128 new moths for me. Other than a fruitful few days in the New Forest I mostly stayed local, or slightly further afield (Norfolk and Kent). These though, were the highlight macros from my Essex garden #teammoth

Four-spotted Footman (the only female in among a population explosion this year).

2200

Reposted by David Cousins

Andy D. Nunn @andydnunn.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

The Coleophora sp. larval cases I found on sea purselane by the Humber Estuary last October turned out to be C. salinella! Only recorded in Yorkshire for the first time in August last year (I suspect it's been there a while though). #TeamMoth #YorkshireMoths @doublekidney.bsky.social

1452

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

I gendetted the 2nd Jersey Mocha for Essex last year (caught by @jonnywhu.bsky.social), and such has been their increase this year in the county (I know of at least 5 others) I now have caught one myself last night in the garden (in fact, likely 2!). Also some fresh autumn favourites. #teammoth

0170

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

A lifer for me in the garden the night before last with a very unexpected Heath Rustic. Must be a migrant of sorts because I am a fair distance from any heathland. #teammoth

2220

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

One of the best things about moth trapping in your garden is the bycatch. Last night I had a real surprise when this small ladybird appeared. I didn’t recognise it but it’s seemingly Oenopia conglobata which has only been recorded a handful of times in Britain and not previously in Essex. 🐞

1274

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

Back from my French holiday and delighted that the Cisticola (+family!) was still on site at Walberswick. Went over early this morning with my eldest and we both had good views (but too far for my photography skills). Also a nice selection of seaside plants - Sea Pea being a new one for me.

070

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 09/08/2025

Wax on, Wax off 🥋 (Closest I could get them to sit next to each other! Both caught in my garden earlier this week).

Wax Moth (Galleria mellonella) and Lesser Wax Moth (Achroia grisella)

1160

Reposted by David Cousins

James Bashford @wrenandbee.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

If you’re interested in any of Nature, health, biodiversity, climate, philosophy, geology, sustainability, evolution… …or even how an individual bird duets with itself… …then you might enjoy Nature Within. 🦋 🐛 🍁 🐜 🦢 🍄 🌳 🐝 🐞 🦔 🦎 🌸 🦜 🦒 🪱 🦉 🐦‍⬛ 🌿 You can pre-order here: tinyurl.com/Nature-Within

1256

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

Some excellent mothing in the New Forest over the weekend with @wjrpb.bsky.social . The scarcest micros were found while sweeping the boggy areas and all lifers for me. IDs in Alt text. 1/2

1130

Reposted by David Cousins

William Bishop @wjrpb.bsky.social · 12/07/2025

This cranefly arrived on the side of the trap last night. Ctenophora ornata. It had obviously been in wars as two legs are missing. Stunning looking creature all the same. New Forest garden moth trap. #diptera.

2423

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Some quality garden additions over the last few days taking me to 605 in 2 years and about 3 months. Both Ethmia dodecea and Eudemis porphyrana very scarce in Essex with less than 12 records of each. #teammoth

2200

Reposted by David Cousins

William Bishop @wjrpb.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

Last night I went to Colchester with @dcousins85.bsky.social on the Essex Moth trip. We saw the Strawberry Moon rising over Colchester from the meadow. Highlights for me, the Sloe Pug and uncommon Eidophasia messingiella (Bitter-cress Smudge). #TeamMoth.

1271

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

Some cracking Coleophora from the Brecks last week with @wjrpb.bsky.social Coleophora pennella, a Vipers Bugloss feeder and Coleophora albicosta, a gorse feeder. #teammoth

0211

Reposted by David Cousins

Andy Symes @andysymes.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

Festoon, Alder Kitten, Marbled Coronet and Wood Carpet from the Brecks on Thursday night... @wjrpb.bsky.social @dcousins85.bsky.social #TeamMoth

2281

Reposted by David Cousins

William Bishop @wjrpb.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

17/05. A field trip with Essex Field Club & @dcousins85.bsky.social. Turned into a Coleophora day. I think 9 types recorded, two as aggs. #TeamMoth.

1181

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

A bug-filled day on Sunday in a sandy Breckland field with 12 species noted across about 50m of ground. Plenty new for me and lots associated with the plentiful Stork’s-bill on site. Pics of the more notable species with IDs in Alt text.With @wjrpb.bsky.social 1/2

170

Reposted by David Cousins

William Bishop @wjrpb.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

A visit to a Kent wood with @dcousins85.bsky.social last night for Promfest. Several nice moths that we don’t see at all or infrequently in our gardens seen. #TeamMoth.

Scarce Prominent. Odontosia carmelita. A chestnut coloured moth with a white costal spot. White scalloped wing base.

Pale Prominent. Pterostoma palpina. A pale moth with black dots and lines. The palps sticking out at the head and the long abdomen protruding from the wings at the rear.

Iron Prominent. Notodonta dromedarius. Dark wings with large rusty patches.

Great Prominent. Peridea anceps. Large moth with grey wings with black lines and golden patches.

2321

Reposted by David Cousins

William Bishop @wjrpb.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

Annual survey by Essex Moth Group for Sloe Carpet last night produced 7, the temperature dropped from 10pm and it got very chilly near the Blackwater. #TeamMoth.

A Sloe Carpet, Aleucis distinctata. A smallish geometer. Grey coloured with a darker mid wing band the postmedian line is very wavy. A row of black dots along the bottom margin.

Queen of the Night. Female Emperor which should surely be an Empress. A big moth with grey wings with dark and light cross bands. Two large eye like spots with a yellow circle. The wing base with a rosy flush on the margins and tip. I have seen a lot of males but this was my first free flying female, quite stunning 😍.

Another Sloe Carpet, Aleucis distinctata. A smallish geometer. Grey coloured with a darker mid wing band the postmedian line is very wavy. A row of black dots along the bottom margin.

Great Silver Water Beetle. Hydrophilus piceus. A very large black beetle. Quite startling when they appear being so big. Attracted to the moth trap of one of the party last night. One of our largest beetles at about 5cm.

0262

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

Some nice beetles from Saturday night’s moth trapping with @wjrpb.bsky.social at Bayfordbury Pinetum. A brilliant site that I’m looking forward to visiting again.

Otiorhynchus singularis - a large and well marked weevil.

Byrrhus pilula - Pill Beetle - adopting its pill form where it hides its legs under its body to feign death if threatened.

Apion frumentarium - a small but striking red-orange weevil

Nalassus laevioctostriatus - a red-brown beetle that was abundant on the night, more or less found on every trunk in numbers.

051

Reposted by David Cousins

William Bishop @wjrpb.bsky.social · 05/04/2025

Trapping Hatfield Forest last night for NT. 4 people, 10 traps. Mostly the usual woodland moths. The larval signs and Pammene spotted by the eagle-eyed David. #TeamMoth

Dyseriocrania subpurpurella. A tiny moth with golden wings and purple spots

The best one of the night, spotted on a tree by a colleague. Pammene splendidulana. 5mm moth with grey wings flecked silver and gold.

Feeding signs of Nemapogon clematella. The larva feeds along Hazel Woodwart exuding frass.

A Coleophora case on Hawthorn. Species as yet undetermined. The small case at the top of the leaf, feeding damage lower on the leaf.

1251

Reposted by David Cousins

William Bishop @wjrpb.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

Found by dcosins85.bsky.social, this rather nice Coleophora argentula, Yarrow Case-bearer, on a dead Yarrow head near Icklingham , Suffolk yesterday afternoon. #TeamMoth.

Larval case of Yarrow Case-bearer moth on fead Yarrow head in Suffolk. A whitish tube.

0181

Reposted by David Cousins

William Bishop @wjrpb.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

Dcousins85.bsky.social and davidnorgate.bsky.social have put on the best so here are a few also rans from last night’s excellent outing.

Mottled Grey. Slightly worn on right wing.

1201

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

A superb afternoon and evening in the Brecks yesterday. Thanks to @wjrpb.bsky.social for helping me to locate 2 of the rare Veronica. Breckland Speedwell seen but not in flower but Fingered Speedwell a nice way to bring up 3000 for my panlist.

Fingered Speedwell (Veronica triphyllos)

1111

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

Had a lovely walk yesterday afternoon with my boys and took our new pond-dipping kit to the chalk stream along the Flirch Way. Netted loads of Freshwater Shrimp which the boys were fascinated by (as was I!) Some nice fungi too - Scarlet Elfcups, Warlock’s Butter and Alder Goblet.

060

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

Finally some moths last night in VC19. 2 x Dotted Border, 3 x Pale Brindled Beauty, March Moth, 4 x T. alternella & A ferrugana/notana. #teammoth

A ferrugana/notana (never had notana before, all mine have been ferrugana when checked)

0140

David Cousins @dcousins85.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

Shieldbug year list up to 3 with both a Parent Bug and a Birch Shieldbug found while sieving leaf litter. Haven’t caught anything at all mothy for 2 weeks now but did find a larva mooching about the patio next to the trap. I think it’s a Straw Underwing (but I find caterpillars difficult!)

070