Dorset Moths
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dorsetmoths.bsky.social
Dorset Moths
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
Celebrating the moths of Dorset. Reposts, moth news and occasional hints and tips from the Dorset Moths verification team.

www.dorsetmoths.co.uk
Reposted by Dorset Moths
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
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November 27, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Reposted by Dorset Moths
For 30 years there has been one species firmly at the top of my hit-list: Crimson Speckled. 30 years ago they had an almost mythical status, now more regular of course. So I was beyond elated to find this in one of the traps this morning!!! @migrantmothuk.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
November 15, 2025 at 9:40 AM
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A single Gem was the best migrant moth last night here in West Dorset, UK. Also three Olive-tree Pearl, 11 Rusty-dot Pearl and 4 White-point.
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#teammoth
November 14, 2025 at 9:12 AM
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A welcome 26/11 in the Upton garden trap after a wet night incl'd 5 Palpita vitrealis, 2 RDP & my 7th Golden Twin-spot of the yr, plus another well-marked Plusiid that shot out as soon as I opened it, which I really hope was a Silver Y... #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Envy alert!
Ludicrously just had my 2nd daytime Crimson Speckled of the week flying along the sunny fenceline north of the quarry at St Aldhelm's Head! #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 1:56 PM
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Olive-tree Pearl to light with very pale Angle Shades Rodwell Weymouth Dorset @migrantmothuk.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 9:45 AM
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Yesterday the wonderful Phil Sterling came to Studland to tell us about some unique moths of Purbeck, and we’ve got some real goodies and some real weirdos. Who’d have thought Bagworms were so devious! @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 9:51 AM
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November 7, 2025 at 8:00 AM
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Crimson Speckled flushed from field adjacent to St Aldhelm's Head Coastguards at 1215hrs. Ace! #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 12:22 PM
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A remarkable 33 species (plus a Red Admiral) from the garden traps last night. Gem, Golden Twin-spot, Palpita vitrealis, 2 Blair's Mocha, Rush Veneer the highlights. Also a late Blood-vein. Photos of the Gem plus the diminutive Cosmopterix pulchrimella and Tuta absoluta. @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Reposted by Dorset Moths
Experience once again won over expectation last night, with my 1st remote trapping session at St Aldhelm's Head prod'g 1 RDP (& 11 Fe.Ranunculus), with a measly count of 2 RDP in the Upton garden trap saved by my 6th (prob locally bred) Golden Twin-spot of 2025 #TeamMoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 9:02 AM
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A meagre 14 moths of 7sp last night in Corfe Castle, but worth it for two Feathered Thorns #Teammoth @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 11:41 AM
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Whilst not exactly the hoped for migrant-fest, single Silver Y, Palpita vitrealis & 2 RDP (amongst a refreshing 21/11) were welcome in the Upton garden trap this morning, alongside a late Vine's Rustic & a brace of Monopis crocicapitella #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 9:17 AM
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Enjoyable morning helping to survey larvae of the rare Speckled Footman #moth.
Also seen were a smart Heath Assassin Bug Coranus subapterus and Heath Potter Wasp Eumenes coarctatus nest.
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November 4, 2025 at 2:51 PM
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A morning well spent helping survey the critically endangered Speckled Footman caterpillar population on the Dorset heaths, with a great group of volunteers brought together by Durwyn at @footprintecology.bsky.social #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Reposted by Dorset Moths
A single Palpita vitrealis amongst a paltry 15/3 in the Upton garden trap this morning was the sole migrant, alongside a handful of LBAMs & Black Rustic. Fingers crossed for the Canary airflow later this week! #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
October 29, 2025 at 7:33 AM
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Very smart autumnal moths from 2 nights ago in Corfe Castle: Green-brindled Crescent and Merveille du Jour @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 12:16 PM
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So happy to have 3 super-smart Black Rustic in the moth trap this morning (Weymouth) - an autumn favourite. 😍

Overall 11 species (23 individuals), included Barred Sallow, Lunar Underwing, Beaded Chestnut and Feathered Ranunculus.

#teammoth
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October 5, 2025 at 5:12 PM
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There are some great #moths around in autumn. This morning's highlights were Merveille du Jour (living up to its name) and Blair's Mocha (probably resident around here). West Dorset, UK.
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#teammoth
October 11, 2025 at 10:59 AM
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Despite the howling wind there's nothing like the arrival of much, much milder air to perk up migrant moth interest: Silver-striped Hawkmoth caught overnight at the Obs
October 3, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Reposted by Dorset Moths
A welcome 88/22 in the Upton garden trap incl'd my 4th Golden Twin-spot of 2025 (a sp that's surely bred locally), 2 Silver Y, 3 RDP, Clancy's Rustic, 9 Angle Shades, Blair's Shoulder-knot, Brindled Green, Beaded Chestnut, Caloptilia azalella & a late Endotricha flammealis @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
September 28, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Reposted by Dorset Moths
A surprising 37/16 in a cold & soggy Upton garden trap this morning incl'd a few new spp for the yr, with a beautiful Green-brindled Crescent (one of my favourites) & a striking Barred Sallow the best. Another Caloptilia azaleella was also notable, plus a lone RDP #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
October 2, 2025 at 7:39 AM
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Always exciting to see the massive Convolvulus Hawk-moth, one of our most spectacular migrant #moth arrivals. Last night in West Dorset (VC9).
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#teammoth
October 2, 2025 at 12:50 PM
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17 sp + 44 moths in my Corfe Castle #mothtrap yesterday. Inc 24 Lunar Underwings. Other lovelies were Centre-barred Sallow, Sallow, Feathered Brindle, and Frosted Orange @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social #teammoth
October 3, 2025 at 1:03 PM
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A measly 60/15 in the Cold Harbour office trap after a cold night still incl'd some nice seasonal fare, with multiple Sallow & Pink-barred Sallow, Deep-brown Dart, Heath & Black Rustics, & a nicely marked Delicate, plus a stonking stand-out Clifden Nonpareil #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social
September 26, 2025 at 8:04 AM