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Andy Pym

@exmoormothman.bsky.social
154 followers 132 following 500 posts

A raven mad naturalist with a passion for moths. Mainly Exmoor & the Bristol region.

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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 20h
Female Nigma walckenaeri spinning her specialised silk on an Ivy leaf near the doctors this morning. I'd never seen this before. I also found another female with a web & a male walking across a leaf. @britishspiders.bsky.social
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Does this look ok for Anyphaena numida? Would be new for me. Off Ivy in the lane behind the house in Filton, South Glos. @britishspiders.bsky.social @tylanberry.bsky.social @graemelyons.bsky.social @chalkspring.bsky.social
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British Nature Guide @britishnatureguide.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
From England for #BirdsSeenIn2026
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James Lowen Wildlife @jameslowenwild.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Always stay alert… Walking past some ivy on a southeast London street. My subconscious discerns a micromoth fizzing. Turns out to be Clepsis dumicolana. Turns out there are a dozen. Relatively recent, ivy-feeding colonist. And new for me.
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Another Scarce Silver-lines was the best moth from the trap y'day. 'Intruders' were better, with 2 new additions. After finding Tremulicerus vitreus in my neighbour's garden recently, it was nice to find one on the rain shield of the trap & Spotted-w Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) was in the trap.
Scarce Silver-lines (Bena bicolorana)
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
'Pretty in Pink'. This beautifully marked Vestal was 1 of 5 to my 20w actinic moth trap last night. A record count for the garden, and I've never seen one as pink as this before. #teammoth #mothsmatter
Vestal (Rhodometra sacraria)
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Marburymoths @marburybirds.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Didn’t see much of the Ravens this morning so thought I see if they were around now, after 1/2 hr’s wait Chips came in with a call & a somersault followed by Gravy. See how Chips is almost falling asleep while Gravy is grooming him! MhNotice how they hear the distant shooting 😞
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
This Scarce Silver-lines was a nice surprise last night. Stunning moth! Other than that, it was a bit disappointing. I did have 4 Oedemera femoralis on the walls of the house. I've definitely not seen that many together before, anywhere. #teammoth #mothsmatter
Scarce Silver-lines (Bena bicolorana)
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Tremulicerus vitreus off Japanese Red Cedar in my neighbour's garden this a'noon. New for me. @britishbugs.bsky.social
Tremulicerus vitreus
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Lisa Williams @lisawilliams30.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
What a fly!! Cynomya mortuorum, only my 2nd ever and a 1st for #RSPBMiddletonLakes, 12/09/26 @dipteristsforum.bsky.social #Calliphoridae #Diptera
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Lin Hawthorne @haggewoods.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Should you wish to indulge your love of beetles (and why wouldn’t you) this brilliant and scholarly website will certainly help. It’s a work of art by a human. www.rosspiper.net/2020/01/10/s...
rosspiper.net
Saproxylic beetles - Dr. Ross Piper
This is an intro and visual guide to the extraordinary diversity of beetle species associated with dead and decaying wood in the UK. Numbering some 650 species, this habitat supports the greatest dive...
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James Emerson @norwichbirder.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
If you have Snapdragons in the garden or nearby, it is worth checking them for the attractively-marked bug Dicyphus escalerae. There are few Norfolk records, but I found it in my garden a few years ago and in my in-laws garden this week, so presumably it is being overlooked elsewhere.
A long, thin plant bug with various black speckling and markings. It is on the edge of a red pot top.
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Heath Potter Wasps collecting clay for making their exquisite pots. Amazing! A superb day with Rog Musgrove & @johnwalterswildife.bsky.social.
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
What a superb day! A trip to south Devon with my mate Rog Musgrove to look for Heath Potter Wasp, and it was great to meet up with @johnwalterswildife.bsky.social in the a'noon. Thanks again, John, for the info and your expertise with these amazing insects!
Heath Potter Wasp (Eumenes coarctatus) taking off with clay collected for making it's pot.Heath Potter Wasp pot.
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
I think it's safe to assume that this year has been my best year ever for Spitting Spider Scytodes thoracica, incl. seeing 2 at the same time and my first juv. I've still only seen them in 2 locations - here & once in Bristol Museum when I worked there in the late 80s. @britishspiders.bsky.social
Spitting Spider Scytodes thoracica on a wall in the kitchen this morning.
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Esmond Brown @chalkspring.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
@britishspiders.bsky.social @tylanberry.bsky.social @cofnod.org.uk A quick stop-off in Wales, to find a spider that I've yet to see in England. It always surprises me just how well such a big spider can 'hide in plain sight' on bare stone Arctosa cinerea is always a sight to behold
A large spider camouflaged amongst stones revealed by reduced water levels on the river
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Acanthiophilus helianthi to the moth trap last night was a nice addition to the 'intruders' list. @dipteristsforum.bsky.social
Acanthiophilus helianthi - female
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Freshly moulted Pyrochroa coccinea (Black-headed Cardinal Beetle) larva I found under bark on a log pile in Lord's Wood at the Bristol & District Moth Group field meeting last night.
Freshly moulted Pyrochroa coccinea (Black-headed Cardinal Beetle) larva found under bark.
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Opilio saxatilis that I found fairly low down on the back wall of the house after I'd gone through the moth trap this morning. In fact, it's still there now.
Opilio saxatilis low down on the back wall of the house.
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Playing catch-up. This Alloeotomus germanicus was a nice surprise in the moth trap on 3rd August. A great addition to the 'intruders' list. Thanks to @raybarnett.bsky.social for confirming as well. It was the same night I had the Mosaic Leafhopper Orientus ishidae. @britishbugs.bsky.social
Alloeotomus germanicus
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Graeme Lyons @graemelyons.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
This was an absolutely insanely good day, well done @hwitts.bsky.social on another epic find!
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Soldierflies and Allies Recording Scheme @uk-soldierflies.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
There have been convincing records in 2026 of Buff-tailed Villa (V. hottentotta) in Kent and Essex. Please check carefully if you find something that looks like Dune Villa (V. modesta) but in locations away from the dune habitats.
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Asilus crabroniformis (Hornet Robberfly) a long overdue lifer for me y'day at a site just up the road in South Glos. We saw two. Photo of this splendid beast taken by my friend & neighbour Darrin McQuaid. @dipteristsforum.bsky.social
Asilus crabroniformis (Hornet Robberfly)
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John Walters @johnwalterswildife.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Great to catch up with my favourite insect the Heath Potter Wasp Eumenes coarctatus in S Devon today. Looks like plenty of females are busy building pots as up to 6 wasps at the quarry - probably about 20 using it currently. Tracked one to its nesting site & returned later to see the finished pot.
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
I found this tiny juvenile Spitting Spider (Scytodes thoracica) on the kitchen ceiling this morning. I've never seen a juv before. I'm so glad my eyes still work! @britishspiders.bsky.social
Spitting Spider (Scytodes thoracica) - juvenile.
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Just when I thought it wasn't hungry! Hopefully, on it's way to the Nicotiana.
Convolvulus Hawk-moth (Agrius convolvuli)
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Last min decision to put my trap out has paid off already! #teammoth #mothsmatter
Convolvulus Hawk-moth (Agrius convolvuli)
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Vanna Bartlett @vannabartlett.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Found this critter under bark of a dead branch on a willow tree at Watermill Broad, Cranwich, Norfolk yesterday. I think it may well be the larva of a snakefly. @applewildlife.bsky.social
A long thin creature with a multi-segmented body and three pairs of legs. The head and first segment are oblong and shiny black and it has a pair of short, thin antennae. The brown body segments (numbering around 12) are rather square except the first two which are longer and narrower. The creature is on a piece of brown bare wood, head uppermost. The paired legs are attached to the first three segments after the head.A long thin creature with a multi-segmented body and three pairs of legs. The head and first segment are oblong and shiny black and it has a pair of short, thin antennae. The brown body segments (numbering around 12) are rather square except the first two which are longer and narrower. The creature is on a piece of brown bare wood, head uppermost. The paired legs are attached to the first three segments after the head.
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Clifden Nonpareil from the trap this morning. My 3rd in the garden. I gotta be honest, I jumped a little when I turned over the egg tray. Two Catocala spp, as there was a Red Underwing on my neighbour's back wall as well. #teammoth #mothsmatter
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Exmoor this evening.
View towards Dunkery Beacon from Little Headon on Exmoor this evening.
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
This Horse Chestnut was also from last night.
Horse Chestnut (Pachycnemia hippocastanaria)
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Maple Prominent from my portable actinic trap that I put in my friend's garden on Exmoor last night. I was long overdue seeing the adult moth. I found a larva while looking for leaf miners with my old friend John Robbins, but that was 22+ yrs ago.
Maple Prominent (Ptilodon cucullina)
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
I wasn't expecting this Mosaic Leafhopper (Orientus ishidae) in the moth trap on Mon night. It's new to the Bristol region as far as I know. The 'intruders' list for the year now stands at 123 spp. @britishbugs.bsky.social
Mosaic Leafhopper Orientus ishidae
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
You wait ages for one, and.. Lovely surprise this morning. I did see 1 of them in the trap during the early hrs. Also, 2 Tree-l. Beauty, Cydia amplana (a long overdue lifer for me), 9 SMW & 30 Jersey Tiger.
Two Striped Hawk-moth (Hyles livornica) from the trap this morning.
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Dave Appleton @applewildlife.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
This Omophron limbatum (sometimes called Spangled Button-beetle) appeared in my garden moth trap last night. Despite looking like a cross between a ladybird and a diving beetle it’s actually a very unusual ground beetle (Carabidae). It’s very active and runs extremely fast! #UKbeetles
A round beetle with dull reddish-brown and black markings.  Its pale legs are very long, especially the rear ones. 
#UKinverts
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
1 of 5 Lesser Earwig (Labia minor) from the trap this morning. I've not had that many before.
Lesser Earwig (Labia minor) from the moth trap.
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Paul Bowerman @severnsidebirds.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Well I wasn't expecting this on my front lawn/driveway tonight. A juvenile Puffin. Number 171 for my house list. Will be released at Weston super Mare at midnight.
Juvenile Puffin at Severn Beach
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
This Hummingbird Hawk-moth was a nice surprise in the garden just now.
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
I'm so glad I checked the trap around 2.40 this morning! This Apodia martinii was at rest on the funnel. New for me.
Apodia martinii
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John Martin @pilning.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Fine Dipterists Forum week in Somerset. One highlight on last full day at Berrow was not a fly, in fact the enemy of the fly😅, the dune jumping spider Marpissa nivoyi, nationally scarce, no Somerset records on NBN atlas. Vac sampled by Keith Fowler. @dipteristsforum.bsky.social #ukwildlife #spiders
Distinctive looking critter with thick black front legs and elongated shape but good to have it confirmed by Nigel Cane-Honeysett, Salop spider recorder, as I know Jack Nabby about spidersMore from above but with reflections from its tube before release. There were at least a couple in the tray
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
A male Gypsy Moth doing it's best Brown Long-eared Bat impression in the trap this morning. My 2nd in the garden. I also had my 3rd Tree-lichen Beauty & 3rd Blastobasis rebeli.
Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar) - male.Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar) -male.
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
A moult from Segestria florentina, which I found at the base of the back wall of the house before I went through the moth trap this morning. @britishspiders.bsky.social
Moult from Segestria florentina.Moult from Segestria florentina.
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Well, this was a first for me last night. Scytodes thoracica (Spitting Spider) on the walls, both sides on the stairs in the house. I've never seen two at the same time. Both female. @britishspiders.bsky.social
Scytodes thoracica (Spitting Spider) - female.Scytodes thoracica (Spitting Spider) - female.
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
I'm playing catch-up. This Four-spotted (a long overdue lifer for me) was one of many highlights on the @britentsoc.bsky.social weekend at @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social with @raybarnett.bsky.social. Once again, many thanks to all!
Four-spotted (Tyta luctuosa)
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Portland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
...aka Little Ghost - great vernacular Messrs Parson & Sterling! - perhaps the first time it's been seen at this site for more than 100 yrs. Returned last evening and on an adjacent scree potted three more and saw sev others flying - seems as though it's far easier here than at the only currently...
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Portland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Fun last couple of evenings on the Penn's Weare screes, initially with James Hammond and others from the @britentsoc.bsky.social group ostensibly seeking Richardson's Case-bearer at its classic location. No joy with richardsoni but a tineid potted by James turned out to be Ischnoscia borreonella...
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Portland Bird Observatory @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Big thanks to Gavin Broad and Mike Wilson for organising such a successful @britentsoc.bsky.social weekend at the Obs - so many really exciting discoveries to report in due course!
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Scytodes thoracica (Spitting Spider) - female. Once again, walking across the ceiling in the front room. Last seen on 22nd Feb. @britishspiders.bsky.social
Scytodes thoracica (Spitting Spider) - female.
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John Walters @johnwalterswildife.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
A very unusual nest! A pair of Wood Warblers Phylloscopus sibilatrix feeding young Wrens Troglodytes troglodytes. I presume the warblers' nest was predated and they found this similar looking nest nearby and began to feed the young even though the adult Wrens were too! Dartmoor, Devon this morning.
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Andy Pym @exmoormothman.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Myrrha octodecimguttata (18-spot Ladybird) from the garden moth trap this morning. A superb addition to the 'intruders' list. My first locally.
Myrrha octodecimguttata (18-spot Ladybird)
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