David Cousins
@dcousins85.bsky.social
Pan-lister based in West Essex and part of the Essex Lepidoptera ID Panel. Enthusiastic about any and all forms of natural history, but particularly micro-moths. Coleophoridae are the best of all Lepidoptera.
It’s Caloptilia alchimiella/robustella. Bit of an awkward angle to see the granulation well in the ductus but I’d favour robustella.
November 26, 2025 at 1:43 PM
It’s Caloptilia alchimiella/robustella. Bit of an awkward angle to see the granulation well in the ductus but I’d favour robustella.
Quite an increase of these this year in Essex. Only 2 before 2025 and at least 7 this year that I know of.
October 22, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Quite an increase of these this year in Essex. Only 2 before 2025 and at least 7 this year that I know of.
Historically very rare in Essex too but Graham Ekins found a decent population in some remnant heathland east of Chelmsford a few weeks ago. They could’ve wandered from there but not really the right wind direction and even still that’s 20 miles away.
September 19, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Historically very rare in Essex too but Graham Ekins found a decent population in some remnant heathland east of Chelmsford a few weeks ago. They could’ve wandered from there but not really the right wind direction and even still that’s 20 miles away.
Brilliant thanks James. Appreciate it.
September 14, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Brilliant thanks James. Appreciate it.
Sorry to reply to an old post but accidentally found this larva when looking at leafmines on Hawthorn. The closest match on Bladmineerders appears to be an Ash Whitefly larva, does that look right to you or are there other contenders? Thanks!
September 13, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Sorry to reply to an old post but accidentally found this larva when looking at leafmines on Hawthorn. The closest match on Bladmineerders appears to be an Ash Whitefly larva, does that look right to you or are there other contenders? Thanks!
Of interest here in Essex this year A tumidana has been far more common than A repandana and I haven’t seen a repandana since mid July whereas tumidana has been seen most nights up until about a week ago.
September 6, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Of interest here in Essex this year A tumidana has been far more common than A repandana and I haven’t seen a repandana since mid July whereas tumidana has been seen most nights up until about a week ago.
I came back from a holiday in France on Saturday so it’s possible it’s a stowaway but I certainly didn’t see it until last night so who knows? 🤷♂️
August 28, 2025 at 11:26 AM
I came back from a holiday in France on Saturday so it’s possible it’s a stowaway but I certainly didn’t see it until last night so who knows? 🤷♂️
Some decent stuff to light too though! It really is a superb place for variety of moths and nature of all kinds! 2/2
July 18, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Some decent stuff to light too though! It really is a superb place for variety of moths and nature of all kinds! 2/2
Gendet. They look brighter to me than pics of deauaretalla and quadripuncta but having never seen either it’s difficult to judge how accurate that is.
July 4, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Gendet. They look brighter to me than pics of deauaretalla and quadripuncta but having never seen either it’s difficult to judge how accurate that is.
Interestingly here in Essex, Caradjai is the most common (and the only I’ve ever recorded - probably 3-4 each year)
July 4, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Interestingly here in Essex, Caradjai is the most common (and the only I’ve ever recorded - probably 3-4 each year)
Not Ethmia dodecea but not sure I could confirm the ID without a side on picture I’m afraid.
July 1, 2025 at 4:48 AM
Not Ethmia dodecea but not sure I could confirm the ID without a side on picture I’m afraid.
When we were looking to move the potential for a big garden list was a big part of my motivation! Still a long way off some of the Essex boys though, we have 3 or 4 who are approaching 1000.
June 30, 2025 at 1:00 PM
When we were looking to move the potential for a big garden list was a big part of my motivation! Still a long way off some of the Essex boys though, we have 3 or 4 who are approaching 1000.