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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Golden Plusia (Polychrysia moneta) from my dad's garden trap in Kendal (Cumbria) earlier this week. It's the only place I ever see this declining moth these days. Down here in Glamorgan it's not been recorded since 2012. #TeamMoth

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Ochsenheimeria taurella (Hairy Stem Moth). A strong contender for the title of UK's Scruffiest Moth - the ultimate dragged-through-a-hedge-backwards look. This one was suction sampled from grass tussocks on our allotment plot in Cardiff. Not very many Glamorgan records. #TeamMoth

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Trapped in Pembrokeshire on Monday for Gynnidomorpha minimana at its only Welsh site near St David's. Very successful with 13 recorded in 3 Heath traps 🙂 Traps left overnight among the foodplant Marsh Lousewort & were heaving with moths including a ridiculous 84 Haworth's Minor! #TeamMoth

Gynnidomorpha minimana on Marsh Lousewort (staged photo!)

Lots of moths, especially noctuids, after a warm and drizzly night

6w Heath trap in fen habitat among Marsh Lousewort

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Dark Crimson Underwing new for Carmarthenshire at Pembrey Burrows last night. Even gave me a cheeky flash of its hindwing 😀 Lots of other lovely moths too inc Ni Moth & Tissue. And the small matter of 426 Silver Y. #TeamMoth

Dark Crimson Underwing (Catocala sponsa)

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

A worn Broom-tip tapped from Broom at Gwent Wildlife Trust's Springdale Farm yesterday. The first time I've seen this uncommon moth, though I did find some larvae a few years ago. #TeamMoth

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Friday night was the first night after the heatwave in Cardiff, but I'm very glad I ran the moth trap as there were two excellent macro-moths among the catch. Lunar-spotted Pinion new for the garden, and White Satin only the 2nd garden record after one last year. #TeamMoth

A minty fresh Lunar-spotted Pinion (Cosmia pyralina)

A not quite so fresh White Satin (Leucoma salicis)

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

A grand total of 59 Riband Wave in the MV trap last night, a record for my Cardiff garden. Included this dark example which isn't mentioned in the books, though there's a photo of a near identical specimen online taken by @scorpion-nv.bsky.social in Norfolk. norfolkmoths.co.uk?bf=17130 #TeamMoth

Dark form of Riband Wave (Idaea aversata)

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Found a full grown Puss Moth caterpillar on Creeping Willow at Pembrey yesterday. It was walking down a twig in search of more food, but didn't take kindly to being photographed and showed off its angry red face and whippy tails. #TeamMoth

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

It's only taken 35 years of moth trapping! Finally my first Ni Moth. To MV light in my Cardiff garden last night. #TeamMoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

A couple of weird-looking insects from Pembrey LNR yesterday - the beetle Notoxus monocerus and the leafhopper Eupelix cuspidata. Recorded as part of the Pembrey Coast project, funded by the Nature Networks Fund.

The Monoceros Beetle Notoxus monoceros, a nicely-patterned black and pale red species that has a strange projection from the prothorax which extends forwards over the head.

The leafhopper Eupelix cuspidata, which has a strange flattened head, with a mottled pattern, that is extended forward

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

A pair of Puss Moth eggs on a willow leaf at Pembrey today. Like two perfect little chocolate maracons. #MothsMatter

A pair of chocolate brown Puss Moth eggs on top of a willow leaf

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Spuleria flavicaput tapped from Hawthorn in Port Talbot yesterday. Not a common moth in Wales (or at least, not very often recorded). The only one I've seen previously was in the Lake District way back in 2005. #TeamMoth #GlamorganMoths

The micro-moth Spuleria flavicaput. A distinctive grey-black moth with scale tufts on the forewing and an orange head.

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

A big surprise before I even opened the trap this morning - Elephant Hawk-moth lurking at the neck of the funnel. I don't usually see these until June - earliest garden record by exactly 4 weeks. Also an early Poplar Hawk and 5th garden record of Alder Moth. 22 species. #TeamMoth #CardiffWildlife

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

A Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Ceratitis capitata) turned up in our kitchen yesterday, which was quite a surprise. Only one previous Welsh record according to iRecord / NBN Atlas. This one most likely came from Chilean grapes bought in Lidl the previous day. #CardiffWildlife @sewbrec.org.uk

Photo of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly Ceratitis capitata, a really striking fly with bold patterns on both wings and body, and iridescent eyes.

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

A large pupal case found in a dead stem of Bulrush (Typha) in Bute Park yesterday. Based on its size I think it has to be Bulrush Wainscot (Nonagria typhae). Note to self - remember to look for larvae there in early summer. #TeamMoth #CardiffWildlife

Photo of a large pupal case of Bulrush Wainscot moth, extracted from a dead stem of Bulrush (Typha)

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

A pill beetle Byrrhus pilula on a garden wall just up the road this morning. Able to transform from beetle to pill in an instant! #CardiffWildlife #Beetles

The pill beetle Byrrhus pilula in beetle mode (appendages extended)

The pill beetle Byrrhus pilula transforming into pill mode

The pill beetle Byrrhus pilula in full-on pill mode - everything tucked away, including the head

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

A beetle for a change - the leaf beetle Bruchus loti found in dead Phragmites stems at Pembrey, Carmarthenshire this week. They feed on the seeds of legumes. #beetles

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Reposted by George Tordoff

Norfolk Moths (Jim Wheeler CMR) @norfolkmoths.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Just published... Phyllocnistis triandricola (Almond Willow Maze-miner) New UK at Surlingham, Norfolk 14/08/2025 by Seb Buckton (Gen. Det. P. Hall, R. Voith) #teammoth #norfolkmoths norfolkmoths.co.uk/micros.php?b...

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Catching up with the last of the photo labelling from 2025 as the grim weather continues... Collected several larvae of Epinotia nisella from Goat Willow catkins in Somerset in late May 2025, which produced adults at the end of June. #TeamMoth

Larva of the tortrix moth Epinotia nisella in fallen Goat Willow catkin

Adult of the tortrix moth Epinotia nisella, reared from larvae in fallen Goat Willow catkins

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

This harvestman sieved from flood debris by the River Taff in Cardiff seems to be Dicranopalpus larvatus, possibly a first for South Wales unless there are any records in the pipeline @megabunus.bsky.social?

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

A moth! And one I didn't see at all last year. Indian Meal Moth (Plodia interpunctella) flying in the pet food section of The Range in Cardiff today. #TeamMoth

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

Finally got around to looking up this caterpillar, which was found next to the moth trap in Cornwall in August. A Marbled White Spot (Protodeltote pygarga), only the second time I've seen this common moth in the larval stage. #TeamMoth

Marbled White Spot (Protodeltote pygarga) caterpillar

Marbled White Spot (Protodeltote pygarga) caterpillar, head details

Marbled White Spot (Protodeltote pygarga) caterpillar, rear end detail

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

Put the garden trap out for 1st time in a few weeks. Low expectations despite the mild conditions. Amazed to catch a Pale Brindled Beauty, the first time I've seen this moth before the new year. 5 species in total including my first December record of Double-striped Pug. #TeamMoth #CardiffMoths

Pale Brindled Beauty (Phigalia pilosaria)

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

Yesterday morning, after an overnight low of -1.7C, a female Palpita vitrealis on our garden olive tree, spotted by my daughter. Not something I was expecting to see after the recent frosts! Perhaps they can survive the winter now, even in Wales? @migrantmothuk.bsky.social #TeamMoth #CardiffMoths

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

One surprise among 7 species in the Cardiff garden trap last night - a Spiny Hook-tip (Watsonalla uncinula). Only 2nd garden record and rather late in the season. #TeamMoth

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

White-point new for the Cardiff garden last night, the 25th new species this year. It's been the most productive year for new species since 2018 - the Law of Diminishing Returns doesn't always apply. #TeamMoth

List of the 25 new moth species recorded in the garden this year. These are:
Stigmella sakhalinella
Roeslerstammia erxlebella
Phyllonorycter blancardella
Agonopterix angelicella
Depressaria radiella
Gelechia muscosella
Coleophora otidipennella
Coleophora atriplicis
Eudemis profundana
Piniphila bifasciana
Pyrausta purpuralis
European Corn-borer
Chinese Character
Barred Straw
Angle-barred Pug
White Satin
Four-spotted Footman
Bordered Straw
Small Mottled Willow
Silky Wainscot
Frosted Orange
Rufous Minor
Deep-brown Dart
Dog's Tooth
White-point

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

9 species in the Cardiff garden moth trap this morning after an incredibly mild night for the time of year - the temperature hovered around 14.5C all night. 7 of the 9 species were micros, including an Olive-tree Pearl (Palpita vitrealis) and a super late Mother of Pearl (Patania ruralis). #TeamMoth

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

Red-green Carpet (Chloroclista siterata) - a species on the up in my Cardiff garden moth trap. A rarity here before 2017, it is now a regular visitor in the autumn. This fits with the national trends (667% increase in distribution, 695% increase in abundance since 1970). #MothsMatter

The graph shows the number of Red-green Carpet moth caught in my garden moth trap from 2007 to 2025. Up to 2016 only 5 had been trapped in total. Since then numbers have increased and the moth is now a regular visitor to the moth trap in the autumn, with double figure counts most years and a record 21 caught this year.

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Some smart leaf-mines of Ectoedemia angulifasciella on wild rose in the Malvern Hills at the weekend. #LeafMineMonday #TeamMoth

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Reposted by George Tordoff

Tim Blackburn @mothyblackburn.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

The Sorcerer from Kenfig last night. Finally got up the courage to remove it from the pot (after some others had seen it). As far as I know, fourth British record and first for Wales. Thanks to everyone for moral support during my meltdown. But, what a moth! #TeamMoth

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

Earlier this year I reared two adult moths from Coleophora cases on Blackthorn on the Glamorgan coast. Both have recently been confirmed by dissection as C. prunifoliae. This moth is new for me, new for the county, and also my 1000th moth species recorded this year - so a nice hat-trick 🙂 #TeamMoth

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

Decent moth numbers on and around the Ivy blossom at Lavernock Point (Glamorgan coast) last night, including Pearly Underwing x4, Dark Sword-grass x11, Red-line Quaker x2, Angle Shades x5, Dark Chestnut & Acleris rhombana x2. 16 species recorded in total. #TeamMoth

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

After one exciting Aporophyla species on Friday night (A. australis, Feathered Brindle), there was another last night with A. lueneburgensis, Deep-brown Dart, in the Cardiff garden trap. The first time I've seen this species since I moved to Wales in 2002! 9th Glamorgan record. #TeamMoth

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

Feathered Brindle (Aporophyla australis) trapped in the Wye Valley last night. This coastal moth has no business turning up in an inland woodland - the nearest records are around 70 miles away on Gower and in southern Dorset. It will be new for VC35 Gwent too. #TeamMoth

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

Some excellent moths trapped while staying in a cottage near Welshpool (Montgomeryshire) at the weekend, including my first Dusky-lemon Sallow (Cirrhia gilvago) since 1998! #TeamMoth

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

A fun few hours with the traps on Caerphilly Mountain last night produced some quality moths. Heath Rustic, Autumnal Rustic, Spiny Hook-tip and Anomalous the best of the macro-moths. Also my third Clifden Nonpareil of the year. 1/2 #TeamMoth

A lovely rosy example of Autumnal Rustic (Eugnorisma glareosa)

Spiny Hook-tip (Watsonalla uncinula) - this one a classic with purplish ground colour and white mark near the hook.

One of eight Anomalous (Stilbia anomala)

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

One to look out for at the moment if you have olive, privet or jasmine growing in the garden - larvae of Palpita vitrealis feeding inside spun shoot tips. Found two on the olive tree in our Cardiff garden this week. @mikecram67.bsky.social recently reared it from privet in Bridgend too. #TeamMoth

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Reposted by George Tordoff

South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre @sewbrec.org.uk · 05/09/2025

#RecordOfTheWeek today is Oriental Fruit Moth (Grapholita molesta), found in Bridgend by Mike Cram. This is the first Glamorgan record for this non-native species, which likely hitched a ride on peaches. Thanks for the record & photo, submitted via www.sewbrecord.org.uk #TeamMoth #MothsMatter

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Reposted by George Tordoff

Abigail Lowe @abigaillowe.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Do you do moth trapping in the UK? We'd love your help! 💡 At @ukceh.bsky.social we're training & testing AI to detect multiple moths in a single image. Send us top-down photos of multiple moths on egg trays to support this work. More info & form: forms.gle/e3HzBPEd7RVV... #mothsmatter #TeamMoth

A top-down image of 12 various moths on a green egg carton.

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

Trapping on the edge of upland conifer plantation near Pontypridd...Anomalous, Dark Marbled Carpet, Pempelia palumbella and an unexpected Clifden Nonpareil. It looked like some exotic bird when it swooped in, black and white underside flashing in the MV light, dwarfing all the other moths. #TeamMoth

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

After 18 years of waiting, finally got Chinese Character on the garden list! Also my first Palpita vitrealis of the year and a second gen Waved Umber. #CardiffMoths #TeamMoth

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

Trapping on the dunes at Kenfig NNR last night with @llynfian.bsky.social and warden Chris Jones. Migrants Diasemiopsis ramburialis & Small Mottled Willow (x3), also Acleris permutana (4), Agriphila latistria, lots of Archer's Darts and Notocelia incarnatana. #TeamMoth

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Broad-barred White (Hecatera bicolorata) caterpillars on the Perennial Sowthistle my neighbour lets grow on his driveway. Second year running they've been present on this patch. I've only had the moth 3 times in 19 years in my garden trap across the road! #TeamMoth

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

Light trapping at Pembrey Burrows (Carmarthenshire) on a night that was colder and clearer than had been forecast - only 60 ish species across three traps as a result, but some nice ones. Good numbers of Garden Tiger & Dog's Tooth, also Yellow Belle and Kent Black Arches. 1/2 #TeamMoth

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Olive (left) and Double Kidney trapped at Gwent Wildlife Trust's Magor Marsh last night. #TeamMoth

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Sitochroa palealis the stand out moth from a busy night at Gwent Wildlife Trust's Magor Marsh reserve, with over 100 species recorded. There are only a few Welsh records of S. palealis including a couple from Gwent. #TeamMoth

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

I seem to have been AWOL from Bluesky for a while. Anyway, here's a European Corn-borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) from last night's moth trap, which was new for my Cardiff garden. Also a rather worn Canary-shouldered Thorn - summer is officially over! #TeamMoth

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

This Dark Umber (Philereme transversata) emerged today. Found as a small larva on Buckthorn at Lavernock Point on the Glamorgan coast in early May. Not a bad moth. #TeamMoth

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

The weather may officially have turned pants but the early moth records continue. This Scalloped Oak lurking in the Ivy-leaved Toadflax by the trap is my earliest garden record by 5 days. #TeamMoth

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George Tordoff @gmtord.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

DID YOU KNOW? It is a little-known fact that Iggy Pop's famous hit The Passenger was inspired by a moth. Before a night out in London in 1977, Iggy switched on his garden moth trap as usual. Arriving home in the early hours, he was delighted to find this rare immigrant moth inside. #TeamMoth

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