Laura Sharp
@laurasharp.bsky.social
PhD Student: Understanding and reversing the decline of moorland moths in the UK | Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) | Aberdeen
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-sharp-7636a6108?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=andr
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-sharp-7636a6108?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=andr
Started the day right with 28:6 at Dinnet oakwood.
3 Mottled Umber, 13 Scarce Umber, 6 Feathered Thorn, 2 Autumnal moth, 1 Streak, 1 December moth, 1 Chestnut, 1 Winter moth.
Nice to end the year's trapping on a high!
3 Mottled Umber, 13 Scarce Umber, 6 Feathered Thorn, 2 Autumnal moth, 1 Streak, 1 December moth, 1 Chestnut, 1 Winter moth.
Nice to end the year's trapping on a high!
November 5, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Started the day right with 28:6 at Dinnet oakwood.
3 Mottled Umber, 13 Scarce Umber, 6 Feathered Thorn, 2 Autumnal moth, 1 Streak, 1 December moth, 1 Chestnut, 1 Winter moth.
Nice to end the year's trapping on a high!
3 Mottled Umber, 13 Scarce Umber, 6 Feathered Thorn, 2 Autumnal moth, 1 Streak, 1 December moth, 1 Chestnut, 1 Winter moth.
Nice to end the year's trapping on a high!
Success! Figures and some more pics to follow when I'm done with morning work 😁
November 5, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Success! Figures and some more pics to follow when I'm done with morning work 😁
Trying my luck in Dinnet tonight after my disappointing Sunday catch.
Should've brought all my traps with me though, to maximise my chances. Alas I brought 3 and one has failed 🤦♀️
I wonder if there will still be some Mervs about 🤞
#TeamMoth
Should've brought all my traps with me though, to maximise my chances. Alas I brought 3 and one has failed 🤦♀️
I wonder if there will still be some Mervs about 🤞
#TeamMoth
November 4, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Trying my luck in Dinnet tonight after my disappointing Sunday catch.
Should've brought all my traps with me though, to maximise my chances. Alas I brought 3 and one has failed 🤦♀️
I wonder if there will still be some Mervs about 🤞
#TeamMoth
Should've brought all my traps with me though, to maximise my chances. Alas I brought 3 and one has failed 🤦♀️
I wonder if there will still be some Mervs about 🤞
#TeamMoth
I can already hear someone fluttering about in there, even though I put it out a little late 😁 At least I'll have one. It's always a joy, even if measly numbers or diversity!
November 2, 2025 at 6:32 PM
I can already hear someone fluttering about in there, even though I put it out a little late 😁 At least I'll have one. It's always a joy, even if measly numbers or diversity!
I've been busy with poster presentations and talks, not trapping.
Moth news in the mean time:
. Woolly bear in the office this morning
. Elephant hawk moth pupa (I think) in the walled garden 2 weeks ago
. Silver Y in the kitchen 3 weeks ago
#TeamMoth
Moth news in the mean time:
. Woolly bear in the office this morning
. Elephant hawk moth pupa (I think) in the walled garden 2 weeks ago
. Silver Y in the kitchen 3 weeks ago
#TeamMoth
October 27, 2025 at 9:11 AM
I've been busy with poster presentations and talks, not trapping.
Moth news in the mean time:
. Woolly bear in the office this morning
. Elephant hawk moth pupa (I think) in the walled garden 2 weeks ago
. Silver Y in the kitchen 3 weeks ago
#TeamMoth
Moth news in the mean time:
. Woolly bear in the office this morning
. Elephant hawk moth pupa (I think) in the walled garden 2 weeks ago
. Silver Y in the kitchen 3 weeks ago
#TeamMoth
Had a wonderful evening listening to a wide variety of talks at the North East Scotland Ecology Network science day.
I also had a chance to present a poster on my very preliminary field results, investigating how prescribed burning affects moorland #moth communities.
#TeamMoth #MothsMatter
I also had a chance to present a poster on my very preliminary field results, investigating how prescribed burning affects moorland #moth communities.
#TeamMoth #MothsMatter
October 14, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Had a wonderful evening listening to a wide variety of talks at the North East Scotland Ecology Network science day.
I also had a chance to present a poster on my very preliminary field results, investigating how prescribed burning affects moorland #moth communities.
#TeamMoth #MothsMatter
I also had a chance to present a poster on my very preliminary field results, investigating how prescribed burning affects moorland #moth communities.
#TeamMoth #MothsMatter
A very hungry Emperor Moth caterpillar for #MothFaceFriday being a messy eater eating getting food in his facial hair 😋
Video taken back in May. One of several caterpillars I was rearing through. #TeamMoth
Video taken back in May. One of several caterpillars I was rearing through. #TeamMoth
October 10, 2025 at 7:53 AM
A very hungry Emperor Moth caterpillar for #MothFaceFriday being a messy eater eating getting food in his facial hair 😋
Video taken back in May. One of several caterpillars I was rearing through. #TeamMoth
Video taken back in May. One of several caterpillars I was rearing through. #TeamMoth
It's the final #MothFaceFriday of #Leptember
So here's an autumnal offering by way of today's Feathered Thorn.
Such a gorgeously fluffy auburn face and thorax, and a pair of very impressively feathered antennae. Stunning!
So here's an autumnal offering by way of today's Feathered Thorn.
Such a gorgeously fluffy auburn face and thorax, and a pair of very impressively feathered antennae. Stunning!
September 26, 2025 at 7:31 PM
It's the final #MothFaceFriday of #Leptember
So here's an autumnal offering by way of today's Feathered Thorn.
Such a gorgeously fluffy auburn face and thorax, and a pair of very impressively feathered antennae. Stunning!
So here's an autumnal offering by way of today's Feathered Thorn.
Such a gorgeously fluffy auburn face and thorax, and a pair of very impressively feathered antennae. Stunning!
A lovely morning at Dinnet oakwood yielded 30:14 most NFM as my first Autumn trapping night off moorland.
Feathered Thorn 2, November moth 1, Green-brindled Crescent 5, Merveille DJ 2, Mottled Umber 1, Red-line Quaker 1, Streak 1, Snout 1, Satellite 1, Red-green Carpet 2, Light Emerald 2.
#TeamMoth
Feathered Thorn 2, November moth 1, Green-brindled Crescent 5, Merveille DJ 2, Mottled Umber 1, Red-line Quaker 1, Streak 1, Snout 1, Satellite 1, Red-green Carpet 2, Light Emerald 2.
#TeamMoth
September 26, 2025 at 2:50 PM
A lovely morning at Dinnet oakwood yielded 30:14 most NFM as my first Autumn trapping night off moorland.
Feathered Thorn 2, November moth 1, Green-brindled Crescent 5, Merveille DJ 2, Mottled Umber 1, Red-line Quaker 1, Streak 1, Snout 1, Satellite 1, Red-green Carpet 2, Light Emerald 2.
#TeamMoth
Feathered Thorn 2, November moth 1, Green-brindled Crescent 5, Merveille DJ 2, Mottled Umber 1, Red-line Quaker 1, Streak 1, Snout 1, Satellite 1, Red-green Carpet 2, Light Emerald 2.
#TeamMoth
A #Leptember visit to Chester Zoo would not be complete without a walk through the #Butterfly house.
Gosh, I'd love to be in Costa Rica right now!
Credit for photos 1 & 4 go to @conricosteez.bsky.social
Gosh, I'd love to be in Costa Rica right now!
Credit for photos 1 & 4 go to @conricosteez.bsky.social
September 17, 2025 at 10:35 AM
A #Leptember visit to Chester Zoo would not be complete without a walk through the #Butterfly house.
Gosh, I'd love to be in Costa Rica right now!
Credit for photos 1 & 4 go to @conricosteez.bsky.social
Gosh, I'd love to be in Costa Rica right now!
Credit for photos 1 & 4 go to @conricosteez.bsky.social
This #Leptember I am undertaking 360 quadrats at my moth trapping sites to quantify browsing and describe vegetation composition.
I love autumn, and my sites are so beautiful. I'm having a lot of fun!
Typing it up is less fun If only AI could accurately transcribe voice notes to .csv #TeamMoth
I love autumn, and my sites are so beautiful. I'm having a lot of fun!
Typing it up is less fun If only AI could accurately transcribe voice notes to .csv #TeamMoth
September 12, 2025 at 7:54 PM
This #Leptember I am undertaking 360 quadrats at my moth trapping sites to quantify browsing and describe vegetation composition.
I love autumn, and my sites are so beautiful. I'm having a lot of fun!
Typing it up is less fun If only AI could accurately transcribe voice notes to .csv #TeamMoth
I love autumn, and my sites are so beautiful. I'm having a lot of fun!
Typing it up is less fun If only AI could accurately transcribe voice notes to .csv #TeamMoth
It's the first #MothFaceFriday of #Leptember
So here's the tiny head, broad shoulders and thick torso of the Northern/oak Eggar.
These moths always give me body-builder vibes!
Have a pumped weekend #TeamMoth - don't overdo it on the protein shakes!
So here's the tiny head, broad shoulders and thick torso of the Northern/oak Eggar.
These moths always give me body-builder vibes!
Have a pumped weekend #TeamMoth - don't overdo it on the protein shakes!
September 5, 2025 at 6:41 AM
It's the first #MothFaceFriday of #Leptember
So here's the tiny head, broad shoulders and thick torso of the Northern/oak Eggar.
These moths always give me body-builder vibes!
Have a pumped weekend #TeamMoth - don't overdo it on the protein shakes!
So here's the tiny head, broad shoulders and thick torso of the Northern/oak Eggar.
These moths always give me body-builder vibes!
Have a pumped weekend #TeamMoth - don't overdo it on the protein shakes!
A wet night and nippy morning up on Donside, but still 210:37 to light.
NFM were 2 Setaceous Hebrew Character and a Canary-shouldered Thorn, which ended up as a spider's breakfast 😔
Also, 2 November Moth, 7 Autumn Green Carpet, 13 Autumnal Rustic, 6 Black Rustic, 15 Golden-rod Brindle
#TeamMoth
NFM were 2 Setaceous Hebrew Character and a Canary-shouldered Thorn, which ended up as a spider's breakfast 😔
Also, 2 November Moth, 7 Autumn Green Carpet, 13 Autumnal Rustic, 6 Black Rustic, 15 Golden-rod Brindle
#TeamMoth
August 30, 2025 at 11:52 AM
A wet night and nippy morning up on Donside, but still 210:37 to light.
NFM were 2 Setaceous Hebrew Character and a Canary-shouldered Thorn, which ended up as a spider's breakfast 😔
Also, 2 November Moth, 7 Autumn Green Carpet, 13 Autumnal Rustic, 6 Black Rustic, 15 Golden-rod Brindle
#TeamMoth
NFM were 2 Setaceous Hebrew Character and a Canary-shouldered Thorn, which ended up as a spider's breakfast 😔
Also, 2 November Moth, 7 Autumn Green Carpet, 13 Autumnal Rustic, 6 Black Rustic, 15 Golden-rod Brindle
#TeamMoth
Angle Shades is always a joy 😊
Here's a lovely one quaking and quivering on the heather, warming up from the trap this morning.
#TeamMoth
Here's a lovely one quaking and quivering on the heather, warming up from the trap this morning.
#TeamMoth
August 30, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Angle Shades is always a joy 😊
Here's a lovely one quaking and quivering on the heather, warming up from the trap this morning.
#TeamMoth
Here's a lovely one quaking and quivering on the heather, warming up from the trap this morning.
#TeamMoth
A damp but still night on Donside yielded 263:36 including NFM Pink-barred Sallow.
Also, 8 Small Wainscot, 7 Black Rustic, 6 Juniper Pug, 6 Dark Arches, 2 Plain Clay, 2 Northern Deep-brown Dart, 2 Grey Chi, 2 Golden-rod Brindle, a Beautiful YU, a Sallow and an Angle-striped Sallow.
#TeamMoth
Also, 8 Small Wainscot, 7 Black Rustic, 6 Juniper Pug, 6 Dark Arches, 2 Plain Clay, 2 Northern Deep-brown Dart, 2 Grey Chi, 2 Golden-rod Brindle, a Beautiful YU, a Sallow and an Angle-striped Sallow.
#TeamMoth
August 29, 2025 at 11:22 AM
A damp but still night on Donside yielded 263:36 including NFM Pink-barred Sallow.
Also, 8 Small Wainscot, 7 Black Rustic, 6 Juniper Pug, 6 Dark Arches, 2 Plain Clay, 2 Northern Deep-brown Dart, 2 Grey Chi, 2 Golden-rod Brindle, a Beautiful YU, a Sallow and an Angle-striped Sallow.
#TeamMoth
Also, 8 Small Wainscot, 7 Black Rustic, 6 Juniper Pug, 6 Dark Arches, 2 Plain Clay, 2 Northern Deep-brown Dart, 2 Grey Chi, 2 Golden-rod Brindle, a Beautiful YU, a Sallow and an Angle-striped Sallow.
#TeamMoth
A foggy morning at Mar Lodge delayed me from hiking up to my traps until it was safe, but didn't deter the moths!
586:34 Angle Shades 4, Dark Sword-grass 8, Black Rustic 1 and Small Wainscot 1 were NFM.
Also had 5 Beautiful YU, 30 Dark Arches, 1 Northern Arches and 2 Cousin German.
#TeamMoth
586:34 Angle Shades 4, Dark Sword-grass 8, Black Rustic 1 and Small Wainscot 1 were NFM.
Also had 5 Beautiful YU, 30 Dark Arches, 1 Northern Arches and 2 Cousin German.
#TeamMoth
August 19, 2025 at 3:09 PM
A foggy morning at Mar Lodge delayed me from hiking up to my traps until it was safe, but didn't deter the moths!
586:34 Angle Shades 4, Dark Sword-grass 8, Black Rustic 1 and Small Wainscot 1 were NFM.
Also had 5 Beautiful YU, 30 Dark Arches, 1 Northern Arches and 2 Cousin German.
#TeamMoth
586:34 Angle Shades 4, Dark Sword-grass 8, Black Rustic 1 and Small Wainscot 1 were NFM.
Also had 5 Beautiful YU, 30 Dark Arches, 1 Northern Arches and 2 Cousin German.
#TeamMoth
A scorcher of a day at Mar Lodge, even at 8pm last night when I was setting up my traps!
But it was worth the sweaty hike through the heather, with 546:32.
31 Autumnal Rustic, a Cousin German, 5 Dark Arches, 15 Golden-rod Brindle, 2 Minor Shoulder-knot and 3 Northern Deep-brown Dart
#TeamMoth
But it was worth the sweaty hike through the heather, with 546:32.
31 Autumnal Rustic, a Cousin German, 5 Dark Arches, 15 Golden-rod Brindle, 2 Minor Shoulder-knot and 3 Northern Deep-brown Dart
#TeamMoth
August 18, 2025 at 3:56 PM
A scorcher of a day at Mar Lodge, even at 8pm last night when I was setting up my traps!
But it was worth the sweaty hike through the heather, with 546:32.
31 Autumnal Rustic, a Cousin German, 5 Dark Arches, 15 Golden-rod Brindle, 2 Minor Shoulder-knot and 3 Northern Deep-brown Dart
#TeamMoth
But it was worth the sweaty hike through the heather, with 546:32.
31 Autumnal Rustic, a Cousin German, 5 Dark Arches, 15 Golden-rod Brindle, 2 Minor Shoulder-knot and 3 Northern Deep-brown Dart
#TeamMoth
499:37 down on the Dee in Braemar last night. It was stunning in the mist this morning, check out these beautiful cobwebs.
Light Knot-grass was NFM (although I've found many caterpillars this summer).
Also 6-striped Rustic, 15 Pale Eggars, Juniper and Ling pugs and 16 G-r Brindle.
#TeamMoth
Light Knot-grass was NFM (although I've found many caterpillars this summer).
Also 6-striped Rustic, 15 Pale Eggars, Juniper and Ling pugs and 16 G-r Brindle.
#TeamMoth
August 17, 2025 at 3:58 PM
499:37 down on the Dee in Braemar last night. It was stunning in the mist this morning, check out these beautiful cobwebs.
Light Knot-grass was NFM (although I've found many caterpillars this summer).
Also 6-striped Rustic, 15 Pale Eggars, Juniper and Ling pugs and 16 G-r Brindle.
#TeamMoth
Light Knot-grass was NFM (although I've found many caterpillars this summer).
Also 6-striped Rustic, 15 Pale Eggars, Juniper and Ling pugs and 16 G-r Brindle.
#TeamMoth
A wonderful Friday night's trapping in Crathie gave 555:38, including a surprise Dark Bordered Beauty!
An Autumnal Moth and 8 Chestnut-coloured Carpets were NFM. I also had 4 Autumnal Rustics, 6 Golden-rod Brindles, a Grey Chi, 12 Haworth's Minors, 287 Heath Rustics and 2 Sallows.
#TeamMoth
An Autumnal Moth and 8 Chestnut-coloured Carpets were NFM. I also had 4 Autumnal Rustics, 6 Golden-rod Brindles, a Grey Chi, 12 Haworth's Minors, 287 Heath Rustics and 2 Sallows.
#TeamMoth
August 16, 2025 at 11:38 AM
A wonderful Friday night's trapping in Crathie gave 555:38, including a surprise Dark Bordered Beauty!
An Autumnal Moth and 8 Chestnut-coloured Carpets were NFM. I also had 4 Autumnal Rustics, 6 Golden-rod Brindles, a Grey Chi, 12 Haworth's Minors, 287 Heath Rustics and 2 Sallows.
#TeamMoth
An Autumnal Moth and 8 Chestnut-coloured Carpets were NFM. I also had 4 Autumnal Rustics, 6 Golden-rod Brindles, a Grey Chi, 12 Haworth's Minors, 287 Heath Rustics and 2 Sallows.
#TeamMoth
Oh yeah! It's Friday night. It's the weekend. How could I nearly forget? It's #MothFaceFriday
Here's a Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing looking like he got caught doing something untoward 😂
Here's a Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing looking like he got caught doing something untoward 😂
August 15, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Oh yeah! It's Friday night. It's the weekend. How could I nearly forget? It's #MothFaceFriday
Here's a Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing looking like he got caught doing something untoward 😂
Here's a Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing looking like he got caught doing something untoward 😂
Squeezing in some quick trapping at Glen Tanar before the thunderstorms paid off, with 460:39 even despite one of my traps failing.
9 Twin-spot Carpet NFM, a Scotch Annulet dragging its feet, 194 Heath Rustic, 54 Chevron, 3 Autumnal Rustic and 5 Beautiful YU (2 months after my first).
#TeamMoth
9 Twin-spot Carpet NFM, a Scotch Annulet dragging its feet, 194 Heath Rustic, 54 Chevron, 3 Autumnal Rustic and 5 Beautiful YU (2 months after my first).
#TeamMoth
August 14, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Squeezing in some quick trapping at Glen Tanar before the thunderstorms paid off, with 460:39 even despite one of my traps failing.
9 Twin-spot Carpet NFM, a Scotch Annulet dragging its feet, 194 Heath Rustic, 54 Chevron, 3 Autumnal Rustic and 5 Beautiful YU (2 months after my first).
#TeamMoth
9 Twin-spot Carpet NFM, a Scotch Annulet dragging its feet, 194 Heath Rustic, 54 Chevron, 3 Autumnal Rustic and 5 Beautiful YU (2 months after my first).
#TeamMoth
465:30 at Glen Ey last night, and countless Scottish midgies.
First Autumnal Rustics of the season were NFM.
2 Northern Deep-brown Darts, 4 Scarce Silver-Y, 4 Pale Eggar, 58 Neglected Rustics, 167 Heath Rustics, 19 Golden-rod Brindles, a couple of Haworth's Minor and 9 Ear moth aggs.
#TeamMoth
First Autumnal Rustics of the season were NFM.
2 Northern Deep-brown Darts, 4 Scarce Silver-Y, 4 Pale Eggar, 58 Neglected Rustics, 167 Heath Rustics, 19 Golden-rod Brindles, a couple of Haworth's Minor and 9 Ear moth aggs.
#TeamMoth
August 13, 2025 at 11:06 AM
465:30 at Glen Ey last night, and countless Scottish midgies.
First Autumnal Rustics of the season were NFM.
2 Northern Deep-brown Darts, 4 Scarce Silver-Y, 4 Pale Eggar, 58 Neglected Rustics, 167 Heath Rustics, 19 Golden-rod Brindles, a couple of Haworth's Minor and 9 Ear moth aggs.
#TeamMoth
First Autumnal Rustics of the season were NFM.
2 Northern Deep-brown Darts, 4 Scarce Silver-Y, 4 Pale Eggar, 58 Neglected Rustics, 167 Heath Rustics, 19 Golden-rod Brindles, a couple of Haworth's Minor and 9 Ear moth aggs.
#TeamMoth
Managed to squeeze in some trapping near Balmoral last night before Storm Floris hit, and it was well worth it!
508:52, 4 NFM: Angle-striped Sallow, Grey Chi, Minor Shoulder-knot and Northern Deep-brown Dart.
Also had Scarce Silver-Y, Plain Clay, Northern Arches and Cousin German.
#TeamMoth
508:52, 4 NFM: Angle-striped Sallow, Grey Chi, Minor Shoulder-knot and Northern Deep-brown Dart.
Also had Scarce Silver-Y, Plain Clay, Northern Arches and Cousin German.
#TeamMoth
August 4, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Managed to squeeze in some trapping near Balmoral last night before Storm Floris hit, and it was well worth it!
508:52, 4 NFM: Angle-striped Sallow, Grey Chi, Minor Shoulder-knot and Northern Deep-brown Dart.
Also had Scarce Silver-Y, Plain Clay, Northern Arches and Cousin German.
#TeamMoth
508:52, 4 NFM: Angle-striped Sallow, Grey Chi, Minor Shoulder-knot and Northern Deep-brown Dart.
Also had Scarce Silver-Y, Plain Clay, Northern Arches and Cousin German.
#TeamMoth
Had a very Scottish 24hrs looking for Dark Bordered Beauty and then attending my first Highland Games 🏴
511:51 between 6 small traps last night, including a whole load NFM: 4 DBB, 9 Anomalous, a Barred Chestnut, 29 Dotted Clay, 26 Ear Moth, a Golden-rod Brindle, 6 Rosy Rustic and more!
#TeamMoth
511:51 between 6 small traps last night, including a whole load NFM: 4 DBB, 9 Anomalous, a Barred Chestnut, 29 Dotted Clay, 26 Ear Moth, a Golden-rod Brindle, 6 Rosy Rustic and more!
#TeamMoth
August 2, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Had a very Scottish 24hrs looking for Dark Bordered Beauty and then attending my first Highland Games 🏴
511:51 between 6 small traps last night, including a whole load NFM: 4 DBB, 9 Anomalous, a Barred Chestnut, 29 Dotted Clay, 26 Ear Moth, a Golden-rod Brindle, 6 Rosy Rustic and more!
#TeamMoth
511:51 between 6 small traps last night, including a whole load NFM: 4 DBB, 9 Anomalous, a Barred Chestnut, 29 Dotted Clay, 26 Ear Moth, a Golden-rod Brindle, 6 Rosy Rustic and more!
#TeamMoth