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rwhooster

@rwhooster.bsky.social
1.1K followers 508 following 3.7K posts

I like wildlife, and wildlife gardening in particular. I want to know what comes to my garden during the day and at night (moths, VC61). Amateur photographer. South-East Yorkshire, UK.

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rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 10h
I thought I wouldn't get a visit from a Clifden Nonpareil NFY this year. But at 4:30 this morning, there he was on the wall, and I panicked because I had to leave him and run indoors to get a takeaway container. A Green-brindled Crescent and Choreutis pariana were also NFY. #teammoth
Clifden Nonpareil (Catocala fraxini). NFY.
0390
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
A recently trapped Large Wainscot for #MothFaceFriday. #teammoth
Large Wainscot (Rhizedra lutosa).
0212
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
A second-generation Yellow-tail from this morning's trap. #teammoth
Yellow-tail (Euproctis similis) on a fern leaf.
0303
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
It's a pity it looks like it's been pulled through a hedge backwards multiple times, yet I was still pleased and surprised to find a Clancy's Rustic NFG this morning. Only 12 records for Yorkshire, and it's described as a rare wanderer. #teammoth
Clancy's Rustic (Caradrina kadenii). NFG.
1360
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
A White-point from yesterday's trap. I also caught my first Delicate of the year. #teammoth
White-point (Mythimna albipuncta).
0280
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
After consecutive lacklustre traps, I was very pleased to find a Mallow NFG this morning—a scarce moth in Yorkshire. I was lucky, though. I only found it after looking around the area where I had my trap, 45 minutes after emptying it. #teammoth
Mallow (Larentia clavaria) on a common mallow leaf. NFG.
2621
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
A Dark Chestnut playing dead from last week. #dramaqueenmoth #teammoth
Dark Chestnut (Conistra ligula).
0200
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
I was glad to see this Green-brindled Crescent in yesterday's trap, especially since I'd never trapped the melanic form before. #teammoth
Green-brindled Crescent (Allophyes oxyacanthae).
0390
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
One of the two Pink-barred Sallows from the trap this morning. The first of the year for me. I'm not trapping at home, though. I'm on a short break, near Ripon, North Yorkshire. #teammoth
Pink-barred Sallow (Xanthia togata).
3480
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Another shot of yesterday's Black Rustic. #teammoth
Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra).
1684
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I like Black Rustics NFY, but they're a hassle to photograph. In the end, I realised that for some reason, taking night shots was the best way to show its markings. There were two in the trap, a male and a female. #teammoth
Black Rustic (Aporophyla nigra). NFY.
7684
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
A Beaded Chestnut that was new for the year a few days ago. You can tell autumn is just around the corner. I had a couple of Black Rustics NFY in the trap this morning. #teammoth
Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis). NFY.
0270
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
A Sallow, new for the year this morning. #teammoth
The Sallow (Cirrhia icteritia). NFY.
1472
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
New for the year, a Large Wainscot. #teammoth
Large Wainscot (Rhizedra lutosa). NFY.
0320
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
I potted a NFG micro last night while checking the trap. ObsID is 99% sure that it's Mompha divisella, which means it's gen. det., as there are only two records of it in Yorks. It’s extremely similar to M. bradleyi. Either way, it’s a new moth for my garden; I just don’t know its name. #teammoth
1250
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Another shot of the recent Vestal. #teammoth
The Vestal (Rhodometra sacraria).
2310
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
A green shield bug that I recently spotted on a sunflower. #bugsky #bugs #wildlifegarden #stinkbug #shieldbug
Green Shield Bug (Palomena prasina).
0321
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
A Lunar Underwing NFY from a few days ago. Their numbers had increased significantly in this morning's trap. I was actually surprised to see any #moths in the trap, considering the amount of wasps I had to deal with. Beaded Chestnut was new for the year today. #teammoth
Lunar Underwing (Anchoscelis lunosa). NFY.
3390
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
I haven't trapped much lately due to work obligations, but I did trap a few nights ago and managed to get my first pink Vestal, as opposed to the dingy brown ones I usually get. In the same trap were a Lunar Underwing and a Large Wainscott, both new for the year. #teammoth #mothmonday
The Vestal (Rhodometra sacraria).
2501
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
One of four Silver Ys feeding on a plant in the garden last night (I can never remember its name). There was also a Spectacle feeding, but it didn't like the camera flash. The Silver Ys never seem to care. #teammoth
Silver Y (Autographa gamma).
3606
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
An Old Lady is on the fruit tonight. Probably the same one that was in the trap this morning. #teammoth #mothmonday
Old Lady (Mormo maura).
1522
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
A recent Square-spot Rustic. Trapping is becoming tiring at the moment. There's little variety, and too many LYUs and wasps. Even so, I’ve still put the trap out tonight, more because of FOMO than any expectations. #teammoth
Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa).
0280
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
A caddisfly on a moth trap rain guard. #macromonday #bugsky #insects #bycatch #trichoptera #nature #wildlifegarden
0291
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Last night, I tried to net what I think was a Convolvulus HM, but I failed miserably – twice! On my second attempt, an Old Lady appeared, and with both large moths flying around in the dark, I got confused and accidentally netted the Old Lady instead. After that, I gave up and went to bed. #teammoth
Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)
1500
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Galleria mellonella from this morning's trap. My second of the year. #teammoth
Galleria mellonella (Wax Moth).
0301
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
I think this is a Toadflax Pug. I took one picture of it, and it quickly disappeared. This morning I thought it was NFG, but I now realise that I had my first one a month ago. #teammoth
Toadflax Pug (Eupithecia linariata).
0380
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Underneath a Red Underwing. A Toadflax Pug was NFG this morning. At least, that's what I believe it is. I might change my mind later. The only other moth that caught my interest was a Maiden's Blush. I rarely see these in my garden. And the wasps are doing my head in! #teammoth
Red Underwing (Catocala nupta).
0342
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
A Red Underwing NFY was spotted this morning by my wife on the wall in the front garden, nowhere near where the trap had been set up overnight. After a disappointing trap that was filled with too many LYUs, this was an "underwing" that was more than welcome. #teammoth
Red Underwing (Catocala nupta). NFY.
0621
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I've looked at more grass #moths this year, but it gets tiring because they are so numerous. I got lucky with this Agriphila latistria NFG, as it was on the outside of the trap and easy to spot. Only 37 records where I live. #teammoth
Agriphila latistria (White-streaked Grass-moth). NFG.
1330
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
A Missing Sector Orb Weaver and an unlucky moth. #spiders #bugsky #arachnids #spidersky #macrophotography #nature
Missing Sector Orb Weaver (Zygiella x-notata).
0231
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I have a backlog of photos of Frosted Orange moths. Since I caught my first one over a week ago, more have been showing up in my trap. #teammoth
Frosted Orange (Gortyna flavago).
1361
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
The Sm. Ranunculus NFG from a few days ago is still hanging about the garden. I just spotted him enjoying the pile of rotten fruit, especially the grapes. Most #moths seem to favour the grapes. Also, I just saw a big moth high up on the wall, but it flew off when I shone my torch on it. 🙄 #teammoth
Small Ranunculus (Hecatera dysodea).
0240
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
There was heavy rain, lightning and thunderstorms last night, so I'm thankful that I put my trap in the greenhouse. This afternoon while watering some seedlings, I found my first-ever, not-very-rhubarb-y, Oncocera semirubella in there – a rare migrant in my VC. #teammoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
Oncocera semirubella (Rosy Knot-horn). NFG.
2480
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
A Turnip Moth in the garden a few nights ago. #teammoth
Turnip Moth (Agrotis segetum).
0311
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
A Dusky Thorn from a few nights ago. After a night off from trapping, I was hoping to trap tonight, but it looks like it's going to persist it down. Either I put a light on in the greenhouse, or I don't trap at all. 🤔 #teammoth
Dusky Thorn (Ennomos fuscantaria).
0290
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
New for the garden this morning: a Small Ranunculus. Unfortunately, its orangy-gold spots aren't more obvious. I'm never satisfied. But on a positive note, I have a new garden tick, and I now know that they're in my area. #teammoth
Small Ranunculus (Hecatera dysodea). NFG.
1752
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Given how bad the weather was supposed to be, I wasn't sure if I should trap last night. And they were correct - heavy rain, thunder, and lightning woke me up around 1:15. But still, I got a NFG moth - P. purpuralis. D. radiella and E. angustea were NFY. And my wildlife pond is full again! #teammoth
Pyrausta purpuralis (Common Purple & Gold). NFG.
0331
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
A Silver Y from earlier today. #teammoth #thanatosis #dramaqueenmoth
Silver Y (Autographa gamma).
0420
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
A Copper Underwing agg. from a few weeks ago. I only have repeat #moths to post right now. It's been raining heavily today, but I'm tempted to trap tonight. I really want a Convolvulus Hawk-moth. Last year, I got one on August 28th, which is tomorrow. #teammoth
Copper Underwing agg. (Amphipyra pyramidea agg.)
0290
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
A garden cross spider feeding on its prey, most likely a moth, as the spider is close to the moth trap. #spiders #bugsky #arachnids #spidersky #macrophotography #nature
Garden Cross Spider (Araneus diadematus).
0161
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
I liked the appearance of this Bright-line Brown-eye when I saw it in the trap. It's that time of year again when I must resort to photographing "normal" moths. #teammoth
Bright-line Brown-eye (Lacanobia oleracea).
0331
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
A Rush Veneer from a few nights ago. #teammoth
Nomophila noctuella (Rush Veneer).
0210
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
An image of the second Old Lady I potted yesterday taken at night. When a moth's wings are worn or damaged, I almost always opt for a side view shot. Moth faces are always interesting, I think. It was a dull trap this morning. I didn't pot any moths. Things are definitely changing. #teammoth
Old Lady (Mormo maura).
0311
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
A Scarce Bordered Straw gives me the side-eye. New for the year this morning. #teammoth
Scarce Bordered Straw (Helicoverpa armigera). NFY.
0320
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Little and large, male and female. I didn't plan to photograph any more Orange Swifts, but when I saw these two in my trap this morning, I changed my mind. I've never seen a female so pale or a male so red. #teammoth
Orange Swift (Triodia sylvina).
0330
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
A tatty Old Lady moth from last night's trap. I first saw one on some fruit over a week ago, but it escaped when I attempted to pot it. #teammoth
Old Lady (Mormo maura).
1260
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
A Garden Spider on pebbledash. I walk past this large spider every time I go into the garage, but I never considered photographing it until last night. It's odd to think of a spider as beautiful, but I thought this one was. #spiders #bugsky #arachnids #spidersky #macrophotography #nature
Garden Spider (Araneus diadematus).
181
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Last night, a Rosy Rustic was inside a sunflower. I put it there during the day with the intention of photographing it, but when the wind picked up, I went indoors. Fortunately, it remained there throughout the day and into the evening. A Scarce Bordered Straw was NFY this morning. #teammoth
Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea).
0300
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
The #hedgehog has returned on Old Lady night, but since I've already potted two, there won't be any Old Lady moths eaten tonight. Unless more arrive while I'm sleeping. #teammoth
0130
rwhooster @rwhooster.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Another shot of the Frosted Orange from the other day. #teammoth
Frosted Orange (Gortyna flavago).
0817