Dave Grundy
LightNews LightNews
banner
davegrundy.bsky.social
Dave Grundy
@davegrundy.bsky.social
750 followers 240 following 750 posts
From Birmingham, England & spend 6 months a year in Spain. Green, socialist & European. Retired wildlife consultant used to run moth holidays & training courses. Now survey moths in Spain for fun & for science - polillero. #teammoth
Posts Replies Media Videos
davegrundy.bsky.social
Part 3 - After 2 nights at the coast it was inland at Collado de les Ginovinos, Sierra de Altoana, Murcia, Spain, on the 28th September 2025. Photos are; Euphyias frustata & Leucania zeae. - see alt button for details in photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Euphyias frustata is an attractive Geometrid moth. - moth-trapping at Collado de les Ginovinos, Sierra de Altoana, Murcia, Spain on the 28th of September 2025. Leucania zeae ( I never know which are Mythimna and which are Leucania, but i believe I am correct here with the genus!) - moth-trapping at Collado de les Ginovinos, Sierra de Altoana, Murcia, Spain on the 28th of September 2025. Here's John Girdley counting moths round the trap. - moth-trapping at Collado de les Ginovinos, Sierra de Altoana, Murcia, Spain on the 28th of September 2025.
November 16, 2025 at 2:16 PM
davegrundy.bsky.social
Part 2 - After 2 nights at the coast it was inland at Collado de les Ginovinos, Sierra de Altoana, Murcia, Spain, on the 28th September 2025. Photos are; Lozotaenia cupidinana & Calamodes occitanaria. - see alt button for details in photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
The amazing coloured large Tortrix moth - Lozotaenia cupidinana - moth-trapping at Collado de les Ginovinos, Sierra de Altoana, Murcia, Spain on the 28th of September 2025. And just to prove we look at macro-moths as well! Here is a beautiful colour form of Calamodes occitanaria. - moth-trapping at Collado de les Ginovinos, Sierra de Altoana, Murcia, Spain on the 28th of September 2025. And me sat by the trap and checking the catch! - moth-trapping at Collado de les Ginovinos, Sierra de Altoana, Murcia, Spain on the 28th of September 2025.
November 15, 2025 at 2:51 PM
davegrundy.bsky.social
Part 1 - After 2 nights at the coast it was inland at Collado de les Ginovinos, Sierra de Altoana, Murcia, Spain, on the 28th September 2025. Photos are; Thetidea plusiaria & Idaea filicata. - see alt button for details in photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
The amazing Thetidea plusiaria with its wings spread - even the hindwings have green spots! - moth-trapping at Collado de les Ginovinos, Sierra de Altoana, Murcia, Spain on the 28th of September 2025. Idaea filicata is not a common moth for me - I've only seen 24 before. - moth-trapping at Collado de les Ginovinos, Sierra de Altoana, Murcia, Spain on the 28th of September 2025. And this is the habitat for the site - dry pine woodland with understorey. - moth-trapping at Collado de les Ginovinos, Sierra de Altoana, Murcia, Spain on the 28th of September 2025.
November 14, 2025 at 9:14 PM
davegrundy.bsky.social
Apologies for delay in me posting photos of moths on bluesky, whilst moth trapping in Andalucia, Spain - currently c 6 weeks late! The reason is - just too many moths to record
& photo & often from sites with no electricity/wifi etc.I hope you still enjoy seeing my photos? #teammoth #spanishmoths
The photo shows my desk here at Fundación Migres · CIMA Centro Internacional de Migración de Aves, Tarifa, Cadiz province, Andalucia, Spain on the 31st October 2025. complete with reference books and my microscope for dissections.
November 14, 2025 at 3:11 PM
davegrundy.bsky.social
Fundacion Migres do a lot of educational work. This week there was a group of 35 Masters Students from Universidad Complutense in Madrid staying at Tarifa.
Here, I am showing them my work with moths on November 8th 2025.. #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Checking the moth trap - moth-trapping at CIMA, Tarifa, Cadiz Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 8th of November 2025. With staff from Fundación Migres · CIMA Centro Internacional de Migración de Aves and Masters students from Universidad Complutense in Madrid. This was me talking to the students and thanks to Alejandro Onrubia for the photos! Here is a Crimson Speckled - Utetheisa pulchella on the perspex, while another had just flown off (people looking and pointing at it!). Checking the moth trap - moth-trapping at CIMA, Tarifa, Cadiz Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 8th of November 2025. With staff from Fundación Migres · CIMA Centro Internacional de Migración de Aves and Masters students from Universidad Complutense in Madrid. This was me talking to the students and thanks to Alejandro Onrubia for the photos!
November 12, 2025 at 10:24 PM
davegrundy.bsky.social
Part 2 - We trapped the excellent Calblanque, Mar Menor, Murcia, Spain, on the 27th September 2025. A star site with 1400 moths & 99 species. Photos are; Cinglis andalusiaria & oedilepa polygraphella. - see alt button for details in photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
So, it was difficult to pick the star moths that appear in my first 3 photos - and i just couldn't do it properly this time - as there were so many star moths for the night. But one star has to be this species - Cinglis andalusiaria! - I have now doubled my lifetime count of this species from 1 to 2!! - So it is definitely not common - or at least not where I moth trap! - moth-trapping at Calblanque, near Mar Menor, Murcia, Spain on the 27th of September 2025. And this weird looking micro-moth gets into my first 3 photos, even though the photo is not completely sharp! It was a new species for me and even for John as well! - It almost looks like a Nightjar for those who are into their birdwatching!? With its head cocked up and its 'knees' sticking out! And its occurrence around the Mediterranean hasn't been worked out with certainty. It is a native of SE Africa. But there are records from Morocco, south of the Atlas Mountains and also from SE Spain. So how did it get here? - Oh and the important detail that i missed out - it is called Oedilepia polygraphella! - moth-trapping at Calblanque, near Mar Menor, Murcia, Spain on the 27th of September 2025. And here is a great trap of John Girdley's close to the car park - as we saw it in the morning and as you can see there are loads of moths on it! And nearly all of them were Crimson Speckleds - Utetheisa pulchella!!! I can count 47 just from the photo and loads more were inside the trap. Then as we approached the trap they were flying up from surrounding vegetation in clouds. I have a total count from the site of 594 of this species - and I am sure my count is an underestimate!!!!! And on a night with big counts of everything I counted a total of 1404 moths in our traps! Because there were so many moths and species to count then i actually took less photos than I normally would have done! - moth-trapping at Calblanque, near Mar Menor, Murcia, Spain on the 27th of September 2025.
November 12, 2025 at 3:17 PM
davegrundy.bsky.social
Part 1 - We trapped the excellent Calblanque, Mar Menor, Murcia, Spain, on the 27th September 2025. A star site with 1400 moths & 98 species. Photos are; Hadjina wichti & Platynota stultana. - see alt button for details in photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
What a great road-sign to see! Warning drivers not to drive over Snakes and Chameleons etc! - moth-trapping at Calblanque, near Mar Menor, Murcia, Spain on the 27th of September 2025. One of Murcia's star rare moths is this species Hadjina wichti - moth-trapping at Calblanque, near Mar Menor, Murcia, Spain on the 27th of September 2025. And a great looking tortrix moth with a big 'nose'! Platynota stultana. - moth-trapping at Calblanque, near Mar Menor, Murcia, Spain on the 27th of September 2025.
November 11, 2025 at 10:56 AM
davegrundy.bsky.social
Part 3 - We trapped Playa de la Llana, Mar Menor, Murcia, Spain, on the 26th September 2025. An interesting coastal salt marsh habitat. Photos are; Cynaeda dentalis & Aristotelia montarcella. - see alt button for details in photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
The amazing shaped Cynaeda dentalis, - moth-trapping at Playa de la Llana, Mar Menor, Murcia, Spain on the 26th of September 2025. Aristotelia speciesare not easy to identify, but I believe this one is Aristotelia montarcella - moth-trapping at Playa de la Llana, Mar Menor, Murcia, Spain on the 26th of September 2025. And here is the sunrise over the Mediterranean Sea at 7.57 the next morning - moth-trapping at Playa de la Llana, Mar Menor, Murcia, Spain on the 26th of September 2025.
November 10, 2025 at 5:28 PM
davegrundy.bsky.social
Part 2 - We trapped Playa de la Llana, Mar Menor, Murcia, Spain, on the 26th September 2025. An interesting coastal salt marsh habitat. Photos are; Hypotia leucographalis & Lasiocampa serrula. - see alt button for details in photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Does Hypotia leucographalis have the most amazing antennae of any moth!? - moth-trapping at Playa de la Llana, Mar Menor, Murcia, Spain on the 26th of September 2025. A great looking Lasiocampa serrula out in the open - moth-trapping at Playa de la Llana, Mar Menor, Murcia, Spain on the 26th of September 2025. Some great saltmarsh/marisma habitat - moth-trapping at Playa de la Llana, Mar Menor, Murcia, Spain on the 26th of September 2025.
November 9, 2025 at 2:16 PM
davegrundy.bsky.social
Part 1 - We trapped Playa de la Llana, Mar Menor, Murcia, Spain, on the 26th September 2025. An interesting coastal salt marsh habitat. Photos are; Denticera divisella & Hodeberthia testalis. - see alt button for details in photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
The attractive pyralid that is Denticera divisella appears commoner further east in the south of Spain - moth-trapping at Playa de la Llana, Mar Menor, Murcia, Spain on the 26th of September 2025. I never see many of this species - Hodebertia testalis - moth-trapping at Playa de la Llana, Mar Menor, Murcia, Spain on the 26th of September 2025. A great view of the sun setting across the Mar Menor, from the moth traps! - moth-trapping at Playa de la Llana, Mar Menor, Murcia, Spain on the 26th of September 2025.
November 8, 2025 at 12:37 PM
davegrundy.bsky.social
Part 3 - Next - We trapped SW of Garriguella, Murcia, Spain, on the 25th September 2025. A site in the Sierra de Altoana with very dry habitat. Photos are; Narraga nelvae & Ecpyrrhorrhoe diffusalis. - see alt button for details in photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
This was almost a brilliant photo, but I lost its legs in the egg tray! But still a great looking and scarce moth - Narraga nelvae - moth-trapping South West of Garriguella, Sierra de Altoana, Murcia, Spain on the 25th of September 2025. Ecpyrrhorrhoe diffusalis - moth-trapping South West of Garriguella, Sierra de Altoana, Murcia, Spain on the 25th of September 2025. Ecpyrrhorrhoe diffusalis - moth-trapping South West of Garriguella, Sierra de Altoana, Murcia, Spain on the 25th of September 2025.
November 7, 2025 at 12:19 PM
davegrundy.bsky.social
Part 2 - Next - We trapped SW of Garriguella, Murcia, Spain, on the 25th September 2025. A site in the Sierra de Altoana with very dry habitat. Photos are; Thetidea plusaria & Idaea deitanaria. - see alt button for details in photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Always a star for me - Thetidea plusaria - moth-trapping South West of Garriguella, Sierra de Altoana, Murcia, Spain on the 25th of September 2025. And much scarcer - the tiny Wave sp - Idaea sp that is Idaea deitanaria - moth-trapping South West of Garriguella, Sierra de Altoana, Murcia, Spain on the 25th of September 2025. Here is John checking the trap at dawn! - moth-trapping South West of Garriguella, Sierra de Altoana, Murcia, Spain on the 25th of September 2025.
November 6, 2025 at 3:50 PM
davegrundy.bsky.social
Part 1 - Next - We trapped SW of Garriguella, Murcia, Spain, on the 25th September 2025. A site in the Sierra de Altoana with very dry habitat. Photos are; Phaselia algiricaria & Southern Pine Hawk-moth. - see alt button for details in photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
And this was probably the star moth of he night for me! I have seen it before in Murcia, but you can't complain about seeing one of these again! - Phaselia algiricaria, but it is difficult to know if it is taxonomically in Geometridae, Noctuidae or Erebidae!? The answer is in Geometridae and next to Ekboarmia. - moth-trapping South West of Garriguella, Sierra de Altoana, Murcia, Spain on the 25th of September 2025. And a Southern Pine Hawk-moth - Sphinx maurorum, which appears to be extending its range north in France at the expense of its close relative; Pine Hawk-moth - Sphinx pinastri. - moth-trapping South West of Garriguella, Sierra de Altoana, Murcia, Spain on the 25th of September 2025. This is the great, but very dry habitat at our next trapping site - moth-trapping South West of Garriguella, Sierra de Altoana, Murcia, Spain on the 25th of September 2025.
November 5, 2025 at 12:33 PM
davegrundy.bsky.social
Part 4 - Next - We trapped at Puerto Alto, NW Murcia, Spain, 23rd September 2025. An excellent site for moths in a very remote part of Spain! Photos are; Trigonophora crassicornis & Trigonophora flammea. - see alt button for details in photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Trigonophora species are difficult to ID - as I have shown in recent posts! But i believe i have got these 2 right - This one is Trigonophora crassicornis - moth-trapping at Puerto Alto, NW Murcia, Spain on the 23rd of September 2025 (at 1565 metres!). And this one is Flame Brocade - Trigonophora flammea - moth-trapping at Puerto Alto, NW Murcia, Spain on the 23rd of September 2025 (at 1565 metres!). So, this was the amazing habitat here as we were leaving - here following John's car. - moth-trapping at Puerto Alto, NW Murcia, Spain on the 23rd of September 2025 (at 1565 metres!).
November 4, 2025 at 1:47 PM
davegrundy.bsky.social
Part 3 - Next, Puerto Alto, NW Murcia, Spain, 23rd September 2025. An excellent & remote site for moths! Photos are; French Red Underwing, Antilurga alhambrata & Adalbertia castillaria. - see alt button for details in photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
So, I said there were more photos to come - here is that French Red Underwing - Catocala elocata and checking the hindwing markings. - moth-trapping at Puerto Alto, NW Murcia, Spain on the 23rd of September 2025 (at 1565 metres!). A very fresh looking Antilurga alhambrata was one of 20 that we saw.- moth-trapping at Puerto Alto, NW Murcia, Spain on the 23rd of September 2025 (at 1565 metres!). Adalbertia castillaria is another great looking moth - moth-trapping at Puerto Alto, NW Murcia, Spain on the 23rd of September 2025 (at 1565 metres!).
November 3, 2025 at 12:37 PM
davegrundy.bsky.social
Part 1 - Next - We trapped at Puerto Alto, NW Murcia, Spain, 23rd September 2025. An excellent site for moths in a very remote part of Spain! Photos are; French Red Underwing & Pennithera ulicata. - see alt button for details in photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
The amazing and rather large, French Red Underwing - Catocala elocata (more photos to come) - moth-trapping at Puerto Alto, NW Murcia, Spain on the 23rd of September 2025 (at 1565 metres!). Pennithera ulicata - as a conifer feeder, was not a surprise to be common in the traps with 37 seen. - moth-trapping at Puerto Alto, NW Murcia, Spain on the 23rd of September 2025 (at 1565 metres!). My favourite moth trap next to this mini-cliff face worked well with lots of moths on the cliff in the morning! - moth-trapping at Puerto Alto, NW Murcia, Spain on the 23rd of September 2025 (at 1565 metres!).
November 2, 2025 at 3:50 PM
davegrundy.bsky.social
Part 1 - Next stop at over 1500 metres - We trapped at Puerto Alto in NW Murcia, Spain on 23rd of September 2025. What an excellent site for moths this was in a very remote part of Spain! Photos are; The Berber & the Vestal. - see alt button for details in photos! www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
The Berber - Pseudenargia ulicis was a common moth with 47 trapped! - moth-trapping at Puerto Alto, NW Murcia, Spain on the 23rd of September 2025 (at 1565 metres!). The Vestal - Rhodometra sacraria might be a common moth, but what a stunner when seen like this on a plant stem at night? - moth-trapping at Puerto Alto, NW Murcia, Spain on the 23rd of September 2025 (at 1565 metres!). And this is the habitat - I didn't know how good it would be when we got there - quite sparse and with scattered pines. - moth-trapping at Puerto Alto, NW Murcia, Spain on the 23rd of September 2025 (at 1565 metres!).
November 1, 2025 at 2:32 PM
davegrundy.bsky.social
Part 2 of 2 - Moth-trapping at Baza Desert, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain 22nd September 2025 with John Girdley. Photos are; Eublemma amoena & Eupithecia gypsophiliata - see alt button for details in photos! #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Eublemma amoena is such a great looking moth when fresh like this. - moth-trapping at Baza desert, near Baza, Granada, Andalucia, Spain on the 22nd of September 2025. This is the only site where I have seen this species; Eupithecia gypsophiliata - moth-trapping at Baza desert, near Baza, Granada, Andalucia, Spain on the 22nd of September 2025. The amazing evening view of this habitat - moth-trapping at Baza desert, near Baza, Granada, Andalucia, Spain on the 22nd of September 2025.
October 31, 2025 at 6:59 PM
davegrundy.bsky.social
Part 1 of 2 - Moth-trapping at Baza Desert, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain 22nd September 2025 with John Girdley. Photos are; Cream form of Garden Carpet & Bryophila microglossa - see alt button for details in photos! #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Another one of these great looking pale 'creamy' coloured Garden Carpets - Xanthorrhoe fluctuata - moth-trapping at Baza desert, near Baza, Granada, Andalucia, Spain on the 22nd of September 2025. And another variation on Bryophila microglossa - moth-trapping at Baza desert, near Baza, Granada, Andalucia, Spain on the 22nd of September 2025. An evening view from the trap site back to the cars. - moth-trapping at Baza desert, near Baza, Granada, Andalucia, Spain on the 22nd of September 2025.
October 30, 2025 at 3:14 PM
davegrundy.bsky.social
Part 4 - Moth-trapping at Baza Desert, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain 21st September 2025 with John Girdley. Photos are; Polyochodes stipella & Lasiocampa serrula - see alt button for details in photos! #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
An impressive looking Pyralid, this is Polyochodes stipella - moth-trapping at Baza desert, near Baza, Granada, Andalucia, Spain on the 21st of September 2025. And an impressive Lasiocampidae moth as well - Lasiocampa serrula - moth-trapping at Baza desert, near Baza, Granada, Andalucia, Spain on the 21st of September 2025. And a great sunrise over desert vegetation. - moth-trapping at Baza desert, near Baza, Granada, Andalucia, Spain on the 21st of September 2025.
October 29, 2025 at 3:14 PM
davegrundy.bsky.social
Part 3 - Moth-trapping at Baza Desert, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain 21st September 2025 with John Girdley. Photos are; Eupithecia gypsophilata & Eremobastis / Mniotype fulva - see alt button for details in photos! #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Eupithecia gypsophilata is a species I have seen nowhere else. - moth-trapping at Baza desert, near Baza, Granada, Andalucia, Spain on the 21st of September 2025. The attractive but scarce Eremobastis / Mniotype fulva - moth-trapping at Baza desert, near Baza, Granada, Andalucia, Spain on the 21st of September 2025. More views of this amazing habitat - it's difficult to get your head round how strange the place looks. - moth-trapping at Baza desert, near Baza, Granada, Andalucia, Spain on the 21st of September 2025.
October 28, 2025 at 10:58 PM
davegrundy.bsky.social
Part 2 - Moth-trapping at Baza Desert, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain 21st September 2025 with John Girdley. Photos are; Eucosma gonzalezalverezi & Hospitalis flavolineata - see alt button for details in photos! #teammoth #spanishmoths
a beautiful tortrix moth with a ridiculously long name! - Eucosma gonzalezalverezi - moth-trapping at Baza desert, near Baza, Granada, Andalucia, Spain on the 21st of September 2025. And a stunning looking Hospitalis flavolineata - just look at those yellow lines! - moth-trapping at Baza desert, near Baza, Granada, Andalucia, Spain on the 21st of September 2025. And some great sunsets in amazing habitat!? - moth-trapping at Baza desert, near Baza, Granada, Andalucia, Spain on the 21st of September 2025.
October 27, 2025 at 4:18 PM
davegrundy.bsky.social
Part 1 - Moth-trapping at Baza Desert, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain 21st September 2025 with John Girdley. Photos are; Oar reaumurella & Thetidea plusaria - see alt button for details in photos! #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
2 attractive species of Geometridae moths. This first one is Oar reaumurella, which seems to do well in desert sites and can fly by day as well as night. - moth-trapping at Baza desert, near Baza, Granada, Andalucia, Spain on the 21st of September 2025. This species might be common in SE Spain, but it is still spectacular - so i can't stop taking photos! Thetidea plusaria - moth-trapping at Baza desert, near Baza, Granada, Andalucia, Spain on the 21st of September 2025. A spectacular view from the trap! - moth-trapping at Baza desert, near Baza, Granada, Andalucia, Spain on the 21st of September 2025.
October 26, 2025 at 8:25 PM
davegrundy.bsky.social
Part 3 - Moth-trapping Puerto de la Ragua,Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain 20th September 2025 with John Girdley. Photos are; - see alt button for details in photos! #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Xestia kermesina is a great looking noctuid moth. - moth-trapping at the Mirador sobre el Palencon, Puerto de la Ragua, Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 20th of September 2025. Agriphila deliella is an attractive looking grass crambid moth - moth-trapping above Puerto de la Ragua, Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 20th of September 2025. Here is a great looking rock face high above the pass - rock faces are always good to trap next to! - moth-trapping above Puerto de la Ragua, Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 20th of September 2025.
October 25, 2025 at 5:29 PM
davegrundy.bsky.social
Part 2 - Moth-trapping Puerto de la Ragua,Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain 20th September 2025 with John Girdley. Photos are; Hadena wehrli & Catocala optata - see alt button for details in photos! #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Hadena wehrli - (ID thanks to John - I would have probably still been looking through Polymixis now!) - moth-trapping at the Mirador sobre el Palencon, Puerto de la Ragua, Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 20th of September 2025. Catocala optata - I have only seen 2 before! - moth-trapping at the Mirador sobre el Palencon, Puerto de la Ragua, Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 20th of September 2025. And here is another photo of the top of the pass - this time from the following morning when we went up to check the traps. - moth-trapping at the Mirador sobre el Palencon, Puerto de la Ragua, Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 20th of September 2025.
October 24, 2025 at 10:29 PM