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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

What a wonderful few days celebrating invertebrates and the people who love them at #Ento26 Special thanks to @royentsoc.bsky.social for awarding me their conference participation grant, without which I wouldn't have been able to come and present my research! #TeamMoth #Bugsky

A fantastical illustration of an entomologist

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

If you're at the RES's #Ento26 conference in Cardiff this week and you'd like to hear how muirburn shapes moorland moth assemblages, or if you'd just like to see some lovely moths 🦋🐛 do come along to the Methods, Management & Monitoring session at 11am on Wednesday! #TeamMoth #Bugsky

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

It's that time of year again 🍂 Canary-shouldered Thorn has to be one of the best moth faces around with that yellow fuzz, those big brown eyes and feathery orange antennae 🤩 It took some time locating all the Pugs and Carpets on this tree, but this fella sure stuck out! #TeamMoth #MothFaceFriday

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Further good news after Dark Bordered Beauty was rediscovered in Northumberland. This morning I confirmed a new site for the species in Scotland. Last year I was surprised to find a single male in one of my traps, but we thought it could be a wanderer. Last night, I found 2 more males! #TeamMoth

A male Dark Bordered Beauty moth sits amongst the heather

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

We had a lovely time opening up the moth traps at the James Hutton Institute for Aberdeen's BioBlitz this morning. NFM were 3 Copper Underwings which seem to have spread much further north than the maps indicate. A nice, smart moth. I'm particularly fond of its stripy legs 🤩 #TeamMoth

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

If you're attending #Ento26 next month check out the Methods, Management & Monitoring session on Wednesday 9th September where I'll be discussing my research on how prescribed burning impacts moorland moths 🔥 🦋 🐛 www.royensoc.co.uk/whats-on-at-... #TeamMoth #Bugsky

royensoc.co.uk

What's on at Ento26 - Royal Entomological Society

This year, Ento26 will be a fully in-person event, bringing our community together face-to-face for discussion, networking and collaboration. Ento26 is more than a conference: it’s where the entomolog...

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Out on our walk yesterday @charlotte-wood.bsky.social spotted this lovely little Candy-striped spider (Enoplognatha ovata). A new species for me and an absolute stunner! 🤩 #Bugsky

A common candy-striped spider sits amongst umbelifer flowers

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Collecting data for a study into artificial light at night (ALAN) last night. Slightly flimsy traps but it just goes to show you can make a moth trap out of pretty much anything and on any budget! #TeamMoth

A pair of moth traps in front of a sunset

A very simple moth trap made out of a wire frame and bin bags with a rechargeable led light

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Poplar Hawk-moths are funny little creatures. I think they look as if they have been created from felt. Like they belong in Labyrinth or The Clangers. Here's one from back in May, preparing for flight. #MothFaceFriday #TeamMoth

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

The thistles along the Dee were veritably dripping with Bee beetles (Trichius fasciatus) today 🥹 Same spot that had several Narrow-Bordered Bee Hawk-moths on bugle back in May. Good for the bee mimics! #TeamMoth #Bugsky

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Rescued a pupa from the floor of a glass house back in October and I'm so pleased I did. Returned this beaut to outside the same glass house today. I love his little white goatee beard 🤩 #TeamMoth

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Spent Saturday walking along part of the Dee looking for Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moths What a treat to have seen a couple of individuals nectaring on the Bugle One accepted being potted so I could appreciate it's cuteness up close 🥹 Humorously named after the Greek giant Tityos #TeamMoth

Narrow-Bordered Bee Hawk-moth nectaring on bugle

A Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth in flight. You can see it's coiled probiscis (tongue)

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

182:28 in Aboyne last night 38 Brown Silver-line, 34 Nut-tree Tussock, 6 Scalloped Hazel, 6 Leser Swallow Prominent, 6 Pale-shouldered Brocade, 3 Knotgrass, Broom-tip, Sallow Button, 3 Poplar Hawk, 2 Red-green Carpet, 2 Bordered White, White Ermine, Early Thorn and Lunar Thorn... #TeamMoth

A White Ermine moth clings on to dry grass

A Lunar Thorn moth on the vane of my trap

A Bordered White moth on the vane of my trap

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

At Torry Battery leading a Nocturnal Nature moth walk for Greyhope Bay's BioBlitz last night. A nice selection of moths early on including a female Fox Moth, Water Capet, Sandy Carpet, Clouded-bordered Brindle, Spectacle, a late Hebrew Character and several very early Small square-spots. #TeamMoth

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Noticed frass beneath some windfall Cherry blossom from Allenvale Cemetery in a vase on my kitchen table. Low and behold there was a caterpillar clinging on. I think Winter Moth? Another stray for me to rear through. At least i know where i can get plenty of foodplant! 🌸🌸🌸 #TeamMoth

What i think is a Winter Moth caterpillar

The cherry blossoms at Allenvale Cemetery

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

Reading some more Peter Marren this morning has me thinking about how beautiful gothic architecture echoes nature's patterns. Like the vaulting, columns and arches of cathedrals which can be seen in the wings of many of our moths. #TeamMoth Photos not my own - see alt text.

The columns, arches and rib vaulting of Wells Cathedral. Photo: Emma Wells.

The Feathered Gothic moth (Tholera decimalis). Photo: Garry Barlow.

The Black Arches moth (Lymantria monacha). Photo: Iain Leach.

The Saxon moth (Hyppa rectilinea). Photo: Martin Evans.

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

Chuckling away with Peter Marren this morning over the meanings behind the weird and wonderful names of Lepidoptera species. Looking forward to learning why on earth someone decided to name The Goat, The Old Lady and The Lobster those names. 10/10 would recommend! #TeamMoth

The cover of Emerors, Admirals and Chimney Sweepers by Peter Marren

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Spied a female Kentish Glory straight away last night 👀 whilst choosing likely spots for my traps. Good job too, needed the early win because the rest of the night, and this morning with the lure, was a freezing cold bust! There was a real risk of feeling dejected 😅 22:7 otherwise #TeamMoth

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

I almost forgot that it's #MothFaceFriday 🙊 Here's the always-stunning Pine Beauty warming up for flight just over a week ago at Creag nam Ban #TeamMoth

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Up on the moor trying to work with nature rather than control it. Hoping this will give my Emperor moths the best chance to find each other 💕 One male has flown off so far 🤦‍♀️ Needless to say, I'm waiting patiently in the heather with my Empresses for the males to catch on! #TeamMoth

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Change of plan today with my Emperors The males are struggling to locate the females indoors (I think the whole room is just a swirling mass of pheromones). So I'm taking them out onto moorland today. Hopefully the fresh air will help the boys home in on the scent! 🤞 Wish me luck #TeamMoth

An Empress (foreground) calling to attract an Emperor (background)

My indoor set up in which the male Emperor moths are struggling to follow the pheromone trail the females are leaving

A beautiful Empress climbing to an elevated position so she can call for mates

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

It's Saturniidae and 4 of my Emperor moth males have emerged 😅 They're patiently awaiting the females and then they can try their luck. But it's going to be ladies' choice because there are half as many females. Good luck boys! #TeamMoth

A male Emperor moth displaying his orange hindwings

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

It's #MothFaceFriday which means it's time for one of the cutest moth faces there is... The ewoch-mimicking Yellow Horned 🥹 Moths that look like sticks, dead leaves, or bird droppings are one thing. Moths with kitty cat ears are something else altogether! 🐱 #TeamMoth

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

An unexpectedly huge haul of 699:17 last night! Mostly 461 Hebrew Char. Also 26 Brindled Beauty, 13 Pine Beauty, 9 Lead-coloured Drab, 7 Small Quakers, 2 Twin-spotted Quakers, 8 Red Chestnuts, 1 Pale Pinion, 3 Red Swordgrass, 38 Early Tooth-striped, 3 Yellow Horned, and so many more! #TeamMoth

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

An insane number of moths last night. I haven't tallied up yet. Much caffeine is needed first! #TeamMoth

The pine forest adjacent to the moorland

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

A mystery caterpillar I was rearing through for ID finally emerged as a lovely Hebrew Character female. Caterpillar was sampled on moorland in June 2025 and pupated on the 2nd of July. #TeamMoth

A female Hebrew Character moth and her pupal case

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

I had a wonderful couple of days at the James Hutton Institute's postgraduate student conference in Dunkeld. It was great to hear about all the important research PhD students are doing for positive change. I was honoured to receive 1st place prize for my talk on Moths and Muirburn.

A gorgeous Emperor moth shag rug created by artist Jan Hendry, at Birnam Arts Centre

A beautiful watercolour of a female Emperor moth by artist Jan Hendry at Birnam Arts Centre

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

1st trapping night of 2026 gave 61:8 🤩 43 Chestnut, 11 PBB, 2 Hebrew, a Dotted Border, Common Quaker, March Moth, Mottled Grey and Satellite. Chuffed despite the lack of Oak or Pine Beauties (still too early up here perhaps). #TeamMoth

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Keep everything crossed for me #TeamMoth First traps of 2026 for me tonight up in Dinnet, Aberdeenshire!

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

What is one to do when it's too cold to trap you might ask? Sex those overwintering pupae of course! Top tip - the female genitalia are located on segment 4. ⚠️ Beware - Common Heath males and females both have genitalia around the S4/S5 divide. Enjoy! #TeamMoth

A close up of the abdomen of a female Ling Pug pupa with anatomy highlighted

A close up of the abdomen of a male Ling Pug pupa with anatomy highlighted

A close up of the abdomen of a female Common Heath pupa with anatomy highlighted

A close up of the abdomen of a male Common Heath pupa with anatomy highlighted

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Steaming through my current reads so I can dip into this gem of a Christmas present #TeamMoth

The cover of The Jewel Box, a book on moths by Tim Blackburn

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Started the day right with 28:6 at Dinnet oakwood. 3 Mottled Umber, 13 Scarce Umber, 6 Feathered Thorn, 2 Autumnal moth, 1 Streak, 1 December moth, 1 Chestnut, 1 Winter moth. Nice to end the year's trapping on a high!

A December moth on a log. With 2 Scarce Umber and 1 Feathered Thorn moth out of focus in the bottom left corner.

A Feathered Thorn amongst fallen Autumn leaves.

A Chestnut moth on an egg box with bracken to the left.

My uv led light trap with several Scarce Umber and Mottled Umber moths on the vanes.

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

Trying my luck in Dinnet tonight after my disappointing Sunday catch. Should've brought all my traps with me though, to maximise my chances. Alas I brought 3 and one has failed 🤦‍♀️ I wonder if there will still be some Mervs about 🤞 #TeamMoth

Trap amongst bracken and fallen deadwood

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

It's mild and overcast tonight. Will I get anything if I run a trap on my 2nd storey balcony in the heart of the city in Aberdeen? 🤔 #TeamMoth

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

I've been busy with poster presentations and talks, not trapping. Moth news in the mean time: . Woolly bear in the office this morning . Elephant hawk moth pupa (I think) in the walled garden 2 weeks ago . Silver Y in the kitchen 3 weeks ago #TeamMoth

'Woolly bear' Garden Tiger moth caterpillar

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

A very hungry Emperor Moth caterpillar for #MothFaceFriday being a messy eater eating getting food in his facial hair 😋 Video taken back in May. One of several caterpillars I was rearing through. #TeamMoth

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

It's the final #MothFaceFriday of #Leptember So here's an autumnal offering by way of today's Feathered Thorn. Such a gorgeously fluffy auburn face and thorax, and a pair of very impressively feathered antennae. Stunning!

A Feathered Thorn moth flaunting its feathery antennae

The face of the Feathered Thorn, with its antennae tucked down by its sides

A Feathered Thorn moth resting on bracken

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

A lovely morning at Dinnet oakwood yielded 30:14 most NFM as my first Autumn trapping night off moorland. Feathered Thorn 2, November moth 1, Green-brindled Crescent 5, Merveille DJ 2, Mottled Umber 1, Red-line Quaker 1, Streak 1, Snout 1, Satellite 1, Red-green Carpet 2, Light Emerald 2. #TeamMoth

Merveille du'jour. I loved the w on this ones neck/thorax!

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

This #Leptember I am undertaking 360 quadrats at my moth trapping sites to quantify browsing and describe vegetation composition. I love autumn, and my sites are so beautiful. I'm having a lot of fun! Typing it up is less fun 🫩 If only AI could accurately transcribe voice notes to .csv #TeamMoth

A striking broom moth caterpillar on Erica at Glen Tanar

What I think is a False Chanterelle uprooted by a couple of foraging mountain bikers in Caledonian pine forest. I love the gills on this.

A beautiful orange-red spear of Bog Asphodel with a backdrop of crimson sphagnum

I improvised a beating tray out of my shopping bag to harvest Juniper berries which are ripening already. I do like my gin!

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

It's the first #MothFaceFriday of #Leptember So here's the tiny head, broad shoulders and thick torso of the Northern/oak Eggar. These moths always give me body-builder vibes! Have a pumped weekend #TeamMoth - don't overdo it on the protein shakes!

Underside view of the impressive Northern Eggar

The Northern Eggar moth resting on heather up on moorland back in July

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 30/08/2025

A wet night and nippy morning up on Donside, but still 210:37 to light. NFM were 2 Setaceous Hebrew Character and a Canary-shouldered Thorn, which ended up as a spider's breakfast 😔 Also, 2 November Moth, 7 Autumn Green Carpet, 13 Autumnal Rustic, 6 Black Rustic, 15 Golden-rod Brindle #TeamMoth

Autumn is here, heralded by this Autumn Green Carpet moth. My first was a no-longer-hibernating female, back in June!

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 30/08/2025

Angle Shades is always a joy 😊 Here's a lovely one quaking and quivering on the heather, warming up from the trap this morning. #TeamMoth

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

A damp but still night on Donside yielded 263:36 including NFM Pink-barred Sallow. Also, 8 Small Wainscot, 7 Black Rustic, 6 Juniper Pug, 6 Dark Arches, 2 Plain Clay, 2 Northern Deep-brown Dart, 2 Grey Chi, 2 Golden-rod Brindle, a Beautiful YU, a Sallow and an Angle-striped Sallow. #TeamMoth

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

A foggy morning at Mar Lodge delayed me from hiking up to my traps until it was safe, but didn't deter the moths! 586:34 Angle Shades 4, Dark Sword-grass 8, Black Rustic 1 and Small Wainscot 1 were NFM. Also had 5 Beautiful YU, 30 Dark Arches, 1 Northern Arches and 2 Cousin German. #TeamMoth

Spotted another Light Knot-grass caterpillar feeding openly on the heather. No adults in the trap though.

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

A scorcher of a day at Mar Lodge, even at 8pm last night when I was setting up my traps! But it was worth the sweaty hike through the heather, with 546:32. 31 Autumnal Rustic, a Cousin German, 5 Dark Arches, 15 Golden-rod Brindle, 2 Minor Shoulder-knot and 3 Northern Deep-brown Dart #TeamMoth

A slight mist this morning in Braemar after the heat yesterday. Not as thick as the Haar by the time I got to Aberdeen!

The grey form of Northern Deep-brown Dart

A Beautiful Yellow Underwing and Broad Bordered YU

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

499:37 down on the Dee in Braemar last night. It was stunning in the mist this morning, check out these beautiful cobwebs. Light Knot-grass was NFM (although I've found many caterpillars this summer). Also 6-striped Rustic, 15 Pale Eggars, Juniper and Ling pugs and 16 G-r Brindle. #TeamMoth

A cobweb in the morning mist looking like strings of diamonds or pearls

A lovely Sallow moth resting on the heather outside my trap

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

A wonderful Friday night's trapping in Crathie gave 555:38, including a surprise Dark Bordered Beauty! An Autumnal Moth and 8 Chestnut-coloured Carpets were NFM. I also had 4 Autumnal Rustics, 6 Golden-rod Brindles, a Grey Chi, 12 Haworth's Minors, 287 Heath Rustics and 2 Sallows. #TeamMoth

A Grey Chi was very melodramatic and decided to play-dead on my rucksack whilst I processed my trap

A slightly worn but nicely marked Haworth's Minor

I couldn't coax this Sallow from deep in the corner of its egg box for a better photo

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

Oh yeah! It's Friday night. It's the weekend. How could I nearly forget? It's #MothFaceFriday Here's a Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing looking like he got caught doing something untoward 😂

The beady-eyed stare of a Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

Squeezing in some quick trapping at Glen Tanar before the thunderstorms paid off, with 460:39 even despite one of my traps failing. 9 Twin-spot Carpet NFM, a Scotch Annulet dragging its feet, 194 Heath Rustic, 54 Chevron, 3 Autumnal Rustic and 5 Beautiful YU (2 months after my first). #TeamMoth

I couldn't resist snapping this verdigris-blue July Highflyer

A lovely scarlet Beautiful Yellow Underwing. I caught my first by net back in June.

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Laura Sharp @laurasharp.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

465:30 at Glen Ey last night, and countless Scottish midgies. First Autumnal Rustics of the season were NFM. 2 Northern Deep-brown Darts, 4 Scarce Silver-Y, 4 Pale Eggar, 58 Neglected Rustics, 167 Heath Rustics, 19 Golden-rod Brindles, a couple of Haworth's Minor and 9 Ear moth aggs. #TeamMoth

My trapping location at Glen Ey last night

I do love the pink-clay colour of Neglected Rustic moths

A rather pale but well-marked Northern Deep-brown Dart. So far I've only had the dark aubergine-purple form

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