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Staffordshire Moths

@vc39moths.bsky.social
37 followers 10 following 8 posts

The latest Staffordshire moth news from the County Moth Recorder @lesevanshill.bsky.social. Tag/mention @vc39moths.bsky.social for reposts etc.

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Steve Turner @sj84turner.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Emerged from Goat Willow collected on the 2nd of July 2026. Confirmed as Phyllonorycter dubitella, just the second record for VC39. A totally unexpected find from an alleyway behind my local corner shop! My thanks to Mike Dale for carrying out the Gen. Det. work. #Teammoth @vc39moths.bsky.social
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Ruth Newby @ruthnewby.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Trapping tonight in SK00, VC39. In-law’s house, a large garden surrounded by farmland so will be interesting to see what turns up… #teammoth @vc39moths.bsky.social @lesevanshill.bsky.social
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Ruth Newby @ruthnewby.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Ca. 250:50 last night in VC39/SK00, with c.65 SMW, and equal nos. of Common Wainscot. Lifers of Cydia amplana, Endothemia marginana & Satin Wave. Also noteworthy: Dark Swordgrass, Rush Veneer, 6 Oak Hook-tip (no Oaks nearby!), Tree Lichen Beauty. @vc39moths.bsky.social #teammoth
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Ruth Newby @ruthnewby.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
A second night’s trapping near Shenstone, S. Staffs. Much lower numbers but look what turned up! #teammoth @pmandrews1973.bsky.social @lesevanshill.bsky.social @vc39moths.bsky.social
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Alrewas Birder @alrewasbirder.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Finally got some photos of the Hummingbird Hawkmoth in my garden in VC39 this afternoon. Seem one a few times but never had a camera with me #teammoth #mothsmatter @vc39moths.bsky.social
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Steve Turner @sj84turner.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
A bit bashed by LYUs, but I can’t quite believe I’m looking at a Light Crimson Underwing in my North Staffs garden!! @vc39moths.bsky.social #Teammoth
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Steve Turner @sj84turner.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Highlight from the traps this morning was Acrobasis tumidana, which is a likely first for VC39. Other migrant interest provided by NFY Bordered Straw, and a seemingly endless supply of Small Mottled Willows! Only 210 LYUs 😅 @vc39moths.bsky.social #Teammoth
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Steve @pertonmoths.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Was hoping for this . Just introduced 50 cubs to Bufftip 😊 I love the reaction and the look of delight and realisation as they realise its a moth. Its the "Wow" and "no way" love it. Thats 50 more hooked and at least 10 i think ive got truly hooked 😁😁 #teammoth
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Steve Turner @sj84turner.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
More ‘mining’ this evening, this time Etainia sericopeza on samara of Norway Maple! I’m enjoying myself far too much with this leafmining malarkey 🤪 #Teammoth @pertonmoths.bsky.social @vc39moths.bsky.social
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Steve Turner @sj84turner.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
A bit of lunchtime leaf mining in Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre produced a very fresh-looking mine of Phyllonorycter pastorella, on a huge White Willow. Also several mines of Stigmella aceris on Norway Maple. #Teammoth @vc39moths.bsky.social @pertonmoths.bsky.social
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Steve Turner @sj84turner.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
More exciting news from Newcastle-under-Lyme 😆 Mines of Etainia louisella on samara of Field Maple! No doubt grossly under recorded, but another dot on the map for SJ84 💪 #Teammoth @vc39moths.bsky.social @pertonmoths.bsky.social
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Staffordshire Moths @vc39moths.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
@pmandrews1973.bsky.social @wheatearlp.bsky.social For some inexplicable reason I can't respond to this directly at all 😕 Nope, no records sent in to 2024 which is the latest year uploaded. 2025 will be uploaded next October.
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Les Evans-Hill @lesevanshill.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Sufetula diminutalis (Walker, 1866), 17 May 2025, Wolverhampton (VC39) by Darren Taylor. New to the British Isles, confirmed by barcoding. #TeamMoth
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Steve @pertonmoths.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
Actually got moths this morning, only two but I'll take that😊 Bright line brown eye and a nice Identifiable pug Double Striped 😀 #teammoth
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Steve Turner @sj84turner.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
Pammene suspectana to my FUN lure in the garden this afternoon (VC39) #Teammoth
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Steve Turner @sj84turner.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
This evening’s stroll turned up Coleophora lusciniaepennella (I think) on Goat Willow. Also had two reeling Grasshopper Warblers, my first of the spring. #Teammoth
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Steve @pertonmoths.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
Found an Eriocrania mine on Birch, and larva looks dark from all angles so think it might be sangii? @lesevanshill.bsky.social is it best to open it up for a better pic or do you reckon its dark enough for record as it is ? Not many Staffs records showing. #teammoth
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Dave Emley @demley.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
9 moths of 8 species last night; nothing of note but always like to see the Many-plumed Moth. #TeamMoth
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Steve Turner @sj84turner.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Yesterday’s Pammene suspectana which came to the FUN lure. All of the suspectana/albuginana-types I’ve had checked have turned out to be suspectana. They’re invariably very dark, like this specimen, which I don’t think is necessarily typical. Possibly a result of the urban environment? #Teammoth
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Andy Jones @photography-aj.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Caloptilia betulicola/elongella NFG to light in the North Staffs garden amongst 100 of 21, which also included both Water Carpet NFG and Agonopterix ocellana NFG. #TeamMoth
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Steve @pertonmoths.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
8/8 last night to the baggeridge mv with March moth, Satellite, a nice Dotted Border, Acleris hastiana. Last nights Oak Beauty was still in place, an Early moth and 2 micros that need a bit more attention! 😊 #teammoth
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Steve @pertonmoths.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
2 little micros that need better pics but think Ypsolopha ustella, but its now somewhere loose in the office. Then this Mompha which is a gen det, to id for sure, but looks jurassicella ish! larvae we're found in the stems/ roots of great hairy willowherb in September so its a possible. 😊 #teammoth
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Dave Emley @demley.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
having seen a micro (probably alternella) flying at Rode Hall (snowdrops looking good btw) I thought I'd give the trap a go. Unfortuately the council decided to repair the street light overlooking the garden! Managed 4/3 with Common Quaker, Chestnut and Grey-shoulder-knot. #TeamMoth
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Alrewas Birder @alrewasbirder.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
First moth trapping session last night in VC39, in my small back garden. 8 moths of 5 species. March 4 Pale Brindled Beauty 1 Common Quaker 1 Grey Shoulder-knot 1 Clouded Drab 1 Not bad for my first night. #teammoth #mothsmatter
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Steve @pertonmoths.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
10/6 last night including Chestnut, Common Quaker, and 2 Spring Harbinger. Both the A.hastiana and Y.ustella yesterday were new records for Baggeridge if correct. Driving home lots of micros on the wing. Home trap fired up 😊 #teammoth
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Dominic Collins @dominiccollins.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
Ran the anglepoise actinic last night in a half-hearted attempt to lure a Winter Moth to our window. No WM, but did find this Mottled Umber tucked in against the window frame. #TeamMoth @vc39moths.bsky.social
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Mike Hetherington @mikemoths.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
Four new species for Dorset (and a belated one for Britain) are among the highlights of the Dorset Moths Annual Report 2024. Free PDF downland from dorsetmoths.co.uk #teammoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social
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Dominic Collins @dominiccollins.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
I'd all but retired from mothing for the year. My traps were decomissioned. Then an hour ago I remembered that last night, on a whim, I'd flicked on the anglepoise actinic sometime after 1 a.m. And there, stickered on the outside of the glass above the still-lit lamp was this moth. #TeamMoth
Scarce Umber, last seen in 2022. 
Incidentally - for those of you not familiar with my methods and machinations - the anglepoise actinic is a reading lamp I've screwed a 20W actinic bulb into and which can then be angled such that the business end shines out into the garden.
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Emily @emilyloulou.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
One week on! Congratulations again to all the NBN winners and highly commended nominations! #NBNAwards #Teammoth nbn.org.uk/news/nbn-awa...
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Steve Turner @sj84turner.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
It’s freezing cold & I’m bored. So here’s a selection of the 34 macro NFGs from this year’s efforts in the garden. A few details in ALT text. Micros to follow in a separate post! A total of 95 NFGs pushed the garden total up to 603. A pretty crazy year all round. #TeamMoth
Small Marbled was the second for VC39, beaten to the first by 48 hours!

Two Four-spotted Footman arrived in June, the first of which was a joint-second for VC39. 

Ni Moth was the third for VC39, all three arriving within a week of each other. 

Oblique Carpet was new for SJ84. 

Bedstraw Hawk-moth speaks for itself 😁
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Steve Turner @sj84turner.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
And a few more of the macro NFGs from the garden this year, here in North Staffordshire. A few details in ALT text. #TeamMoth
Twin-spotted Wainscot & Privet Hawk-moth both new for SJ84. 

Juniper Pug was one of four NFG pug species this year, along Dwarf, Haworth’s and Cypress. 26 species of pug now recorded in the garden!
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Steve Turner @sj84turner.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
Not as pretty as the macros, but some significant micro records from the garden this year. Cadra figulilella (Raisin Moth) and Phycitodes saxicola (Lesser Clouded Knot-horn) both new for VC39, with at least four specimens of the latter recorded & confirmed by gen det. #TeamMoth
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Dave Emley @demley.bsky.social · 16/11/2025
Sent old Tel packing; 4 species inc. 2 Decembers, Grey Shoulder-knot, Satellite and Acleris variegana. #TeamMoth
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Steve @pertonmoths.bsky.social · 16/11/2025
A nice but lonely Mottled Umber on the outside of the trap last night 😊
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Steve Turner @sj84turner.bsky.social · 16/11/2025
Howdi Rob Sorry not the best photos or example, but thought this looked a reasonable shout for Phyllonorycter schreberella? Definitely on Elm (asymmetric leaf base). Upper and underside shots of the mine. Thanks @vc28nature.bsky.social
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Steve @pertonmoths.bsky.social · 15/11/2025
Hi Rob, I persevered and teased the remains of the larva out from its mine in the Alder. The head end still relatively intact and looks more like the pics of S.glutinosae I think. What do you reckon? In good enough condition to tell? Thanks @vc28nature.bsky.social #teammoth
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Steve @pertonmoths.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
This Stigmella larva on Oak had a bad time of it! It's got the "worm like" creature that's eating its way out of the head and looks like something else has come out of the side. Do like a bit of parasitism, gruesome but fascinating 😁 Dark sclerites? so once possibly S.atricapitella ? #teammoth
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Steve Turner @sj84turner.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
Some leaf mine finds from today. Ectoedemia argyropeza and Stigmella assimilella on Aspen. Ectoedemia initimella on Sallow. All new for SJ84 this autumn, and from several different sites now. @vc39moths.bsky.social #TeamMoth
Ectoedemia argyropeza mines on Aspen. Stigmella assimilella mine on Aspen. Stigmella assimilella mine on AspenEctoedemia intimella on Sallow
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Steve @pertonmoths.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
Thought I might have used up all my mothing credits on leafminers but managed a late Mottled Rustic and a Turnip. Also found another Ectoedemia quinquella, five spot dot close to home 😊 #teammoth @vc39moths.bsky.social
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Steve Turner @sj84turner.bsky.social · 09/11/2025
Sorry Rob, just one more for you! Is this any good for Ectoedemia intimella on a Sallow of some description, I think!?! Thanks again. @vc28nature.bsky.social #TeamMoth
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Steve Turner @sj84turner.bsky.social · 08/11/2025
@vc39moths.bsky.social
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Steve Turner @sj84turner.bsky.social · 09/11/2025
Went out this morning targeting Aspen, and pleased to find Ectoedemia argyropeza. Loads of them! Very easy to spot at the moment. New for SJ84 and another one I’ve clawed back on the prolific Mr @pertonmoths.bsky.social 😅😅 @lesevanshill.bsky.social @vc39moths.bsky.social #TeamMoth
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Steve Turner @sj84turner.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
Afternoon Rob Do these look OK for Stigmella obliquella on (I think) White Willow? Another new one for the SJ84 list if so 🙂 Cheers #TeamMoth @vc28nature.bsky.social @lesevanshill.bsky.social @vc39moths.bsky.social
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Steve Turner @sj84turner.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
Today I found another site for Phyllonorycter pastorella - this time in the heart of Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre! They were on a large White Willow (I think) at the back of the Aldi carpark 😆😅 #TeamMoth @vc39moths.bsky.social @lesevanshill.bsky.social @vc28nature.bsky.social
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Nick Pomiankowski @nickpom9.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
A white-point nfg was the highlight in my Stoke trap last night along with December moth, 6 lbam and 3 ruddy streak #teammoth
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Steve @pertonmoths.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Just found a dozen of these on Grey Poplar. Ectoedemia turbidella!!!!!!! Might even be a first for West Midlands! #teammoth
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Steve @pertonmoths.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
I missed this was Aspen in amongst the Grey Poplar leaves I collected. So, I've found another Ectoedemia argyropeza as well 😊 #teammoth
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Steve Turner @sj84turner.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Just 15:7 from last night, with 5 Ruddy Streak the most numerous species. Mottled Umber NFY, Barred Sallow and Brick the best of the rest. Try again tonight…😑 #TeamMoth
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Dave Emley @demley.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
5 species in VC39 but they included another White-point and a very late Vine’s Rustic #TeamMoth
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Staffordshire Moths @vc39moths.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Ectoedemia quinquella (Five-spot Dot) on Quercus robor (Oak), provisionally new to Staffordshire, 3 November 2025, Wolverhampton (Image: Darren Taylor). #MothsMatter
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