Matt Ames
@mattames6.bsky.social
Obsessed with natural history. Bedfordshire based
Surprisingly still plenty of flowers around for this week's #Wildflowerhour Nice to see Holly (Ilex aquifolium), Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum), Bush Vetch (Vicia sepium) and Green Alkanet (Pentaglottis semperviens) among others on walks on a couple of the less damp and breezy days.
November 9, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Surprisingly still plenty of flowers around for this week's #Wildflowerhour Nice to see Holly (Ilex aquifolium), Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum), Bush Vetch (Vicia sepium) and Green Alkanet (Pentaglottis semperviens) among others on walks on a couple of the less damp and breezy days.
Managed to get out for a brief walk today. A quick look at the Brambles turned up 2 Coleophora potentillae cases. VC30 Bedfordshire
#teammoth
#teammoth
October 25, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Managed to get out for a brief walk today. A quick look at the Brambles turned up 2 Coleophora potentillae cases. VC30 Bedfordshire
#teammoth
#teammoth
Galeruca tanaceti in good numbers on my patch recently. Bucking the trend of many of it's Chrysomelidae 'cousins' in going for a rugged, punctured finish, as opposed to the more usual metallic sheen.
October 14, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Galeruca tanaceti in good numbers on my patch recently. Bucking the trend of many of it's Chrysomelidae 'cousins' in going for a rugged, punctured finish, as opposed to the more usual metallic sheen.
Dark Swordgrass made a nice addition to the 'on the garden Ivy' list this evening, a couple of Common Plume keeping it company.
Bedfordshire VC30
#teammoth
Bedfordshire VC30
#teammoth
October 14, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Dark Swordgrass made a nice addition to the 'on the garden Ivy' list this evening, a couple of Common Plume keeping it company.
Bedfordshire VC30
#teammoth
Bedfordshire VC30
#teammoth
Reposted by Matt Ames
For #Arachtober, here is a spider that's not a spider. It's Petrophila jaliscalis, a jumping-spider-mimicking moth - see the face-on spider pattern, with orange legs and sparkly dark eyes? I love finding these - I think they breed in my small goldfish pond, because the caterpillars are aquatic. 🌿🐙
October 13, 2025 at 7:24 PM
For #Arachtober, here is a spider that's not a spider. It's Petrophila jaliscalis, a jumping-spider-mimicking moth - see the face-on spider pattern, with orange legs and sparkly dark eyes? I love finding these - I think they breed in my small goldfish pond, because the caterpillars are aquatic. 🌿🐙
Quite a few to choose from for this week's #Wildflowerhour including Dwarf Mallow (M. neglecta) and Musk Mallow (M. moschata), still some Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) on show, and a single Pale Persicaria (Persicaria lapathifolia) on arable margin, glandular hairs checked. Bedfordshire VC30
October 12, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Quite a few to choose from for this week's #Wildflowerhour including Dwarf Mallow (M. neglecta) and Musk Mallow (M. moschata), still some Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) on show, and a single Pale Persicaria (Persicaria lapathifolia) on arable margin, glandular hairs checked. Bedfordshire VC30
Reposted by Matt Ames
Excited to find drawings of moths by FW Frohawk (1861-1946) in the archive of biologist William Bateson @theul.bsky.social.
They’re catalogued as ‘27 drawings of Milan Leps’, but think this should be ‘Melan[istic] Leps’? Do they look right for showing melanism, #TeamMoth? MS Add. 8634/J.3 #EntHist
They’re catalogued as ‘27 drawings of Milan Leps’, but think this should be ‘Melan[istic] Leps’? Do they look right for showing melanism, #TeamMoth? MS Add. 8634/J.3 #EntHist
![Montage showing coloured illustrations of moths and the envelope in which they’re kept. There is blue handwriting on the envelope, which might read: ‘Frohawk’s drawings [o]f Melan[istic] Leps’.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:spsmiagur74jvkmhduvkmki6/bafkreif2nqrqp7234ghv6gzn7avjaq5qdirknvp6su4octwkbkp5mjd6ry@jpeg)
October 11, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Excited to find drawings of moths by FW Frohawk (1861-1946) in the archive of biologist William Bateson @theul.bsky.social.
They’re catalogued as ‘27 drawings of Milan Leps’, but think this should be ‘Melan[istic] Leps’? Do they look right for showing melanism, #TeamMoth? MS Add. 8634/J.3 #EntHist
They’re catalogued as ‘27 drawings of Milan Leps’, but think this should be ‘Melan[istic] Leps’? Do they look right for showing melanism, #TeamMoth? MS Add. 8634/J.3 #EntHist
Cloudy and mild last night with lots of activity on the garden Ivy..
3 Large Yellow Underwing,
2 Green-brindled Crescent,
2 Common Plume,
Ypsolopha mucronella,
Eudonia angustea with Brick being the highlight, new for the garden here in Bedfordshire VC30.
#teammoth
3 Large Yellow Underwing,
2 Green-brindled Crescent,
2 Common Plume,
Ypsolopha mucronella,
Eudonia angustea with Brick being the highlight, new for the garden here in Bedfordshire VC30.
#teammoth
October 8, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Cloudy and mild last night with lots of activity on the garden Ivy..
3 Large Yellow Underwing,
2 Green-brindled Crescent,
2 Common Plume,
Ypsolopha mucronella,
Eudonia angustea with Brick being the highlight, new for the garden here in Bedfordshire VC30.
#teammoth
3 Large Yellow Underwing,
2 Green-brindled Crescent,
2 Common Plume,
Ypsolopha mucronella,
Eudonia angustea with Brick being the highlight, new for the garden here in Bedfordshire VC30.
#teammoth
Reposted by Matt Ames
This seems to be a female Ichneumon extensorius wasp that I found in my back garden today in Wadebridge. There's only 1 prior record for it in Cornwall from 1906, so any knowledgable insect person's input would be most welcome.
October 7, 2025 at 3:23 PM
This seems to be a female Ichneumon extensorius wasp that I found in my back garden today in Wadebridge. There's only 1 prior record for it in Cornwall from 1906, so any knowledgable insect person's input would be most welcome.
Reposted by Matt Ames
Back in June, we hosted a team from #GardenersWorld to share how we’ve been improving the grounds of the National Museums Collection Centre for biodiversity. 🎬 🐞🪰🌿🌼
Catch it here:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
#NMCCbiodiversity
Catch it here:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
#NMCCbiodiversity
October 4, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Back in June, we hosted a team from #GardenersWorld to share how we’ve been improving the grounds of the National Museums Collection Centre for biodiversity. 🎬 🐞🪰🌿🌼
Catch it here:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
#NMCCbiodiversity
Catch it here:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
#NMCCbiodiversity
Decent returns from the moth trap last night, 71 of 31 species. Great variety, autumn species, late (2nd brood) 'summer' moths plus migrants. Highlights inc Sallow ab.flavescens, L-album Wainscot, Barred Sallow and probable Ancylosis oblitella.
Bedfordshire VC30.
#Teammoth
Bedfordshire VC30.
#Teammoth
October 2, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Decent returns from the moth trap last night, 71 of 31 species. Great variety, autumn species, late (2nd brood) 'summer' moths plus migrants. Highlights inc Sallow ab.flavescens, L-album Wainscot, Barred Sallow and probable Ancylosis oblitella.
Bedfordshire VC30.
#Teammoth
Bedfordshire VC30.
#Teammoth
Highlights from my local patch this week include my 1st Clouded Yellow of the year, present for at least 3 days favouring a set aside field, and a patch-tick Grass Snake. Seen sunbathing on a grass verge, I only managed to get a record shot but exciting to see nonetheless. VC30
September 28, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Highlights from my local patch this week include my 1st Clouded Yellow of the year, present for at least 3 days favouring a set aside field, and a patch-tick Grass Snake. Seen sunbathing on a grass verge, I only managed to get a record shot but exciting to see nonetheless. VC30
Still lots in flower around my local patch this week, making the most of it whilst it lasts. Hoary Ragwort (Jacobaea erucifolia) and Common Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) both putting on a fine show here in Bedfordshire VC30
#Wildflowerhour
#Wildflowerhour
September 28, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Still lots in flower around my local patch this week, making the most of it whilst it lasts. Hoary Ragwort (Jacobaea erucifolia) and Common Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) both putting on a fine show here in Bedfordshire VC30
#Wildflowerhour
#Wildflowerhour
Forgot to add you @vc30moths.bsky.social
I've entered the record on iRecord under the genus name as species isn't listed yet with a note in the comments, hope that's ok.
I've entered the record on iRecord under the genus name as species isn't listed yet with a note in the comments, hope that's ok.
I think I might have found mines of Phyllocnistis extrematrix on new growth of Black Poplar here in Bedfordshire VC30..
@vc28wildlife.bsky.social
@vc28wildlife.bsky.social
September 22, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Forgot to add you @vc30moths.bsky.social
I've entered the record on iRecord under the genus name as species isn't listed yet with a note in the comments, hope that's ok.
I've entered the record on iRecord under the genus name as species isn't listed yet with a note in the comments, hope that's ok.
A couple of yesterday's finds on patch here in Bedfordshire VC30. Always nice to see Bishop's Mitre Shieldbug, one of my favourite inverts. Also really good to see 2 Whinchat on passage in the usual location I see them each autumn. Both still present today and seemingly feeding well.
September 21, 2025 at 9:26 PM
A couple of yesterday's finds on patch here in Bedfordshire VC30. Always nice to see Bishop's Mitre Shieldbug, one of my favourite inverts. Also really good to see 2 Whinchat on passage in the usual location I see them each autumn. Both still present today and seemingly feeding well.
I think I might have found mines of Phyllocnistis extrematrix on new growth of Black Poplar here in Bedfordshire VC30..
@vc28wildlife.bsky.social
@vc28wildlife.bsky.social
September 21, 2025 at 2:52 PM
I think I might have found mines of Phyllocnistis extrematrix on new growth of Black Poplar here in Bedfordshire VC30..
@vc28wildlife.bsky.social
@vc28wildlife.bsky.social
Good returns from the moth trap last night here in Bedfordshire VC30, 94 of 32spp. Autumnal locals well represented alongside migrants/wanderers. Vestal nfg, Onconcera semirubella, 2 Pediasia contaminella and Pine Carpet. Thanks @migrantmothuk.bsky.social for the forecast.
#teammoth
#teammoth
September 19, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Good returns from the moth trap last night here in Bedfordshire VC30, 94 of 32spp. Autumnal locals well represented alongside migrants/wanderers. Vestal nfg, Onconcera semirubella, 2 Pediasia contaminella and Pine Carpet. Thanks @migrantmothuk.bsky.social for the forecast.
#teammoth
#teammoth
Feels like crazy conditions for the time of year.. let's see what's out there!
Good luck everyone :)
Good luck everyone :)
September 18, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Feels like crazy conditions for the time of year.. let's see what's out there!
Good luck everyone :)
Good luck everyone :)
Reposted by Matt Ames
Hi @petersketch.bsky.social, to discover where to find Ploughman's Spikenard (+3,499 other species) in Britain & Ireland, and learn about its favourite habitat, conservation status & more, just check out the map on the plant's #PlantAtlas2020 page:
plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9...
plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9...
September 14, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Hi @petersketch.bsky.social, to discover where to find Ploughman's Spikenard (+3,499 other species) in Britain & Ireland, and learn about its favourite habitat, conservation status & more, just check out the map on the plant's #PlantAtlas2020 page:
plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9...
plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9...
Almost impossible to choose a single favourite find for this week's #Wildflowerhour but high on the list has to be what I'm fairly certain are Northern Marsh Orchids from Orrell Water Park near Wigan back in May.
September 14, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Almost impossible to choose a single favourite find for this week's #Wildflowerhour but high on the list has to be what I'm fairly certain are Northern Marsh Orchids from Orrell Water Park near Wigan back in May.
A potential new species for me today, what i believe are Obolodiplosis robinae galls on Black Locust Tree (Robinia pseudoacacia), a garden escape growing on the edge of a footpath. VC30 Bedfordshire
September 14, 2025 at 3:43 PM
A potential new species for me today, what i believe are Obolodiplosis robinae galls on Black Locust Tree (Robinia pseudoacacia), a garden escape growing on the edge of a footpath. VC30 Bedfordshire
Corizus hyoscyami and Hairy Shieldbug in the margins of a conservation stewardship scheme arable field today here in Bedfordshire VC30
September 14, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Corizus hyoscyami and Hairy Shieldbug in the margins of a conservation stewardship scheme arable field today here in Bedfordshire VC30
Reposted by Matt Ames
Join me this Saturday for some harvestman ID time - we still have a few spaces left! @britishspiders.bsky.social #harvestmen #opilionee
Bookings are going well so don’t miss out on the BENHS Harvestman workshop with Meg Skinner and her new test British key to ID them . . .
To book: mail indoormeetings@benhs.org.uk providing a mobile contact number.
To book: mail indoormeetings@benhs.org.uk providing a mobile contact number.
September 10, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Join me this Saturday for some harvestman ID time - we still have a few spaces left! @britishspiders.bsky.social #harvestmen #opilionee