Les Evans-Hill
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lesevanshill.bsky.social
Les Evans-Hill
@lesevanshill.bsky.social
Retired | FLS, FRES, M0ARM | @britentsoc.bsky.social Council Member | VC39 Staffordshire County Moth Recorder | Insects | Birding | Guitar | Photography | Amateur Radio | Staffordshire Moorlands/SW London
Hi all, I'm delighted to announce the latest version of the MapMate Taxa Library is now available to download from the new MapMate Support website at mapmate.info/taxalibrary..... #MothsMatter
MapMate Info
mapmate.info
February 5, 2026 at 3:45 PM
I've not done any mothing recently, but #TeamMoth activity is going on in the background with the new Surrey Moths website, and more recently QGIS mapping, more specifically creating an atlas.

With respect to QGIS and atlases, I can produce and atlas with just a single dateband; however... >>>
December 20, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Work continues on the new Surrey Moths website at www.surreymoths.org.uk. It's still lacking images, and some species accont detail (the admin is in place to start writing them), but it's now functioning well and like a good wine will improve with age. #MothsMatter
Surrey Moths
www.surreymoths.org.uk
December 12, 2025 at 10:01 AM
No mothing for me for the past 2 weeks while on holiday. However, I'm almost done building a new website for the Surrey Moth Group. There's not much content in it, just info on the group and sending in records to the newly-formed Verification Team. All well be revealed in a few days! #MothsMatter
November 30, 2025 at 8:10 AM
More military aviation shenanigans with a pair of Eurofighters sparring with high-g turns and afterburners over Winterton-on-Sea 😄. Other things with wings were less inspiring today 🫤.
November 25, 2025 at 9:49 PM
I watched 6 F-15E Strike Eagles fly out over the North Sea earlier, 1 came back soon after venting fuel. I guess a problem with that airframe! 🤔
November 24, 2025 at 1:26 PM
It's a bit wild this morning on the Norfolk coast! It looks like a day moth report writing and a bit more nerdy SQL and macro coding. 🤓
November 19, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Driving to Winterton-on-Sea, Norfolk, for our holiday, currently on the M25 singing Ballroom Blitz by The Sweet 😀✌️
November 17, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Stigmella glutinosae/alnetella on Alder. The key on British leafminers favours the former, but both mines are vacated. I suspect this one's not doable. Wimbledon Common (VC17). @vc28nature.bsky.social #MothsMatter
November 16, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Asteroscopus sphinx (Sprawler) male, overnight 13 November 2025, Putney Heath, SW London (VC17). I've had a few of these too recently! #MothsMatter
November 14, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Agriopis aurantiaria (Scarce Umber) male, overnight 13 November 2025, Putney Heath, SW London (VC17). I've taken a few of these this week. #MothsMatter
November 14, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Reposted by Les Evans-Hill
Calling all VC39ers (and mothomaniac VCers the region / country over) - a quick plug for @vc39moths.bsky.social run by the eminent lepidopterist-CMR-guitarist @lesevanshill.bsky.social.

N.B. I didn't intend to platform the machinations of arch-rival @sj84turner.bsky.social whilst I was at it.
November 11, 2025 at 1:20 AM
An intriguing late male Oegoconia quadripuncta (Four-spotted Yellowneck) overnight 6 Nov 2025, Putney Heath, SW London (VC17) - confirmed by dissection. #MothsMatter
November 7, 2025 at 11:32 AM
A wander to the Co-op through Putney Heath delivered a few Feathered Thorn and November moths, and strangely nothing that made me wishing I had a net!

However, ice cream safety was delivered to my wife and a red for me while we watch The Rookie on the Tellybox (apparently, it's a Welsh thing!)
November 5, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Reasonably confident this is Ectoedemia minimella on Birch, 5 November 2025, Putney Heath, SW London (VC17). A contorted gallery, leading to blotch with dispersed frass. Happy to be corrected as always. @vc28nature.bsky.social #MothsMatter
November 5, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Phyllonorycter pastorella (Royal Leaf-miner), ex. mine on Weeping Willow 14 October 2025, emerged 4 November 2025. Putney Heath, SW London (VC17). #MothsMatter
November 5, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Possibly Stigmella perpygmaeella on Hawthorn in my Putney Heath garden (VC17). It fits the description at www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidop.... What do you think, Rob? @vc28nature.bsky.social #MothsMatter
November 4, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Reposted by Les Evans-Hill
Ectoedemia quinquella (Five-spot Dot) on Quercus robor (Oak), provisionally new to Staffordshire, 3 November 2025, Wolverhampton (Image: Darren Taylor). #MothsMatter
November 4, 2025 at 11:48 AM
The West Midlands Moths website is now updated to include records up to an including 2024.

West Midlands Moths covers: VC36 Herefordshire; VC37 Worcestershire; VC39 Staffordshire & VC40 Shropshire.

westmidlandsmoths.co.uk #MothsMatter
West Midlands Moths
The Moths of the West Midlands.
westmidlandsmoths.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Currently looking for a proverbial 'needle in a haystack' that is Acalyptris platani on London Plane. Shedloads of the Phyllonorycter platani, however. Putney Heath, SW London (VC17). #MothsMatter
November 3, 2025 at 11:27 AM
If anyone takes Watsonalla binaria/uncinula (Oak/Spiny Hook-tip) from now, please check with your County Recorder if they wish specimens to be retained for microscopic examination (at the discretion of the recorder) and confirmation.

Image: Oak Hook-tip (above), Spiny Hook-tip (below). #MothsMatter
November 3, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Yesterday, @britentsoc.bsky.social published the 4th edition of the popular Field Guide to the Smaller Moths of Great Britain and Ireland. Completely updated and free to download in 3 digital formats: PDF, spreadsheet, and an Android App! Further details at www.benhs.org.uk/publications... #TeamMoth
A FIELD GUIDE TO THE SMALLER MOTHS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND (4th Edition-Digital) - British Entomological & Natural History Society
www.benhs.org.uk
November 2, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Reposted by Les Evans-Hill
Are you joining us at our Exhibition this Saturday? A chance to meet other members and browse interesting displays! To find out more including contributing to the Exhibition visit our website
Annual Exhibition 2025 - British Entomological & Natural History Society
www.benhs.org.uk
October 27, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Today, the @britentsoc.bsky.social Annual Exhibition is being held at Conway Hall, Holborn, London. Always a great day with lots to see and friends to catch up with. Something special is also happening today - more on that later. #MothsMatter
November 1, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Stigmella basiguttella (Shoulder-spot Dot) on Quercus robor (Oak), 30 Oct 2025, Putney Heath, SW London (VC17) - 2nd site record (1st record 2003). Inspired by Trevor Pendleton's YouTube channel www.youtube.com/watch?v=msE-.... #MothsMatter
October 30, 2025 at 2:10 PM