Tim Blackburn
@mothyblackburn.bsky.social
Professor of Invasion Biology at UCL. Amateur father, birder, moth-er. Mainly post wildlife photos, occasionally science and politics. Author of The Jewel Box, winner of the ZSL Clarivate Award for Communicating Zoology.
Last one from the lab today. A right pig's ear of getting the dissected bits under a cover slip, but enough of the spines visible to ID as male Phyllonorycter messaniella. Clearly not quercifoliella as I originally thought, showing the value of gen det. #TeamMoth
November 10, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Last one from the lab today. A right pig's ear of getting the dissected bits under a cover slip, but enough of the spines visible to ID as male Phyllonorycter messaniella. Clearly not quercifoliella as I originally thought, showing the value of gen det. #TeamMoth
More from the lab. These two are both male November Moth, from Kenfig and Weir Quay, respectively. The search for anything other than dilutata continues... #TeamMoth
November 10, 2025 at 12:52 PM
More from the lab. These two are both male November Moth, from Kenfig and Weir Quay, respectively. The search for anything other than dilutata continues... #TeamMoth
Another day in the lab. This male Oegoconia from home on 10th October looks good for novimundi I think, which would be my second this year (and the latest listed on the Middx moth site). #TeamMoth
November 10, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Another day in the lab. This male Oegoconia from home on 10th October looks good for novimundi I think, which would be my second this year (and the latest listed on the Middx moth site). #TeamMoth
Two lifers amongst 45:13 in a maple-packed woodland last night. The target was Plumed Prominent, and by 5.30pm two females had already appeared. An hour later and we were enjoying extravagantly plumed males. A hibernating Agonopterix purpurea was also NFM, with December Moth NFY. #TeamMoth
November 8, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Two lifers amongst 45:13 in a maple-packed woodland last night. The target was Plumed Prominent, and by 5.30pm two females had already appeared. An hour later and we were enjoying extravagantly plumed males. A hibernating Agonopterix purpurea was also NFM, with December Moth NFY. #TeamMoth
Moths from the Kew trap last night: one of the 8 Oak Rustic, an apparent Phyllonorycter geniculella (both NFY), and a late Uncertain (calling @ruthnewby.bsky.social). #TeamMoth
November 6, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Moths from the Kew trap last night: one of the 8 Oak Rustic, an apparent Phyllonorycter geniculella (both NFY), and a late Uncertain (calling @ruthnewby.bsky.social). #TeamMoth
A very disappointing 5:2 in the Camden trap this morning, despite the very mild conditions, with Double-striped Pugs just beating LBAMs. Presumably the other moths were distracted by the supermoon or brought down by the artillery... #TeamMoth
November 6, 2025 at 8:16 AM
A very disappointing 5:2 in the Camden trap this morning, despite the very mild conditions, with Double-striped Pugs just beating LBAMs. Presumably the other moths were distracted by the supermoon or brought down by the artillery... #TeamMoth
Hmmm, I seem to be a magnet for alien species. Looks to be Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys) pottering around in my office...
#biologicalinvasions
#biologicalinvasions
November 5, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Hmmm, I seem to be a magnet for alien species. Looks to be Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys) pottering around in my office...
#biologicalinvasions
#biologicalinvasions
The entire Camden moth trap this morning - the Palpita vitrealis that I saw going in, a Phyllonorycter that looks like quercifoliella (retained), and a nicely marked Double-striped Pug. Disappointing? Yes. Will I go again tonight? Of course! #TeamMoth
November 4, 2025 at 7:29 AM
The entire Camden moth trap this morning - the Palpita vitrealis that I saw going in, a Phyllonorycter that looks like quercifoliella (retained), and a nicely marked Double-striped Pug. Disappointing? Yes. Will I go again tonight? Of course! #TeamMoth
A cold morning in Devon and just 14:9 in the moth trap this morning. The Waved Umber was still sitting where I left it a couple of days back - can't be too many photographs of this species alongside a Merveille du Jour? #TeamMoth
October 30, 2025 at 7:22 AM
A cold morning in Devon and just 14:9 in the moth trap this morning. The Waved Umber was still sitting where I left it a couple of days back - can't be too many photographs of this species alongside a Merveille du Jour? #TeamMoth
A brief flurry of moths after dusk last night in the South Devon coastal car park quickly dried up, giving 11 species. But the 2nd moth in was this Feathered Brindle, lifer #106 for the year. Back in the garden diversity was also down, just 14 species overnight and nothing to shout about. #TeamMoth
October 29, 2025 at 7:13 AM
A brief flurry of moths after dusk last night in the South Devon coastal car park quickly dried up, giving 11 species. But the 2nd moth in was this Feathered Brindle, lifer #106 for the year. Back in the garden diversity was also down, just 14 species overnight and nothing to shout about. #TeamMoth
An uptick in moth numbers in Devon, with 44:20 overnight. Feathered Thorn was NFY, and Vestal the highlight of a little crop of migrant species (4 RDP, Rush Veneer, L-album Wainscot, Turnip). I also got a quite well-marked Epirrita, and a very late Waved Umber for @ruthnewby.bsky.social. #TeamMoth
October 28, 2025 at 7:28 AM
An uptick in moth numbers in Devon, with 44:20 overnight. Feathered Thorn was NFY, and Vestal the highlight of a little crop of migrant species (4 RDP, Rush Veneer, L-album Wainscot, Turnip). I also got a quite well-marked Epirrita, and a very late Waved Umber for @ruthnewby.bsky.social. #TeamMoth
Poor conditions overnight in Devon but decided to trap anyway under the cover of the porch. This Feathered Ranunculus was the best of 11:7, and fine despite a dubious choice of bedfellow. #TeamMoth
October 27, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Poor conditions overnight in Devon but decided to trap anyway under the cover of the porch. This Feathered Ranunculus was the best of 11:7, and fine despite a dubious choice of bedfellow. #TeamMoth
My numbers do concur with Liz - mainly Devon of course, though one of the 2023 individuals was the first for VC28.
October 26, 2025 at 10:02 AM
My numbers do concur with Liz - mainly Devon of course, though one of the 2023 individuals was the first for VC28.
Quality over quantity in the 14:8 in the Devon garden moth trap this morning. In addition to the Mervs, Radford's Flame Shoulder was NFY, a perfectly coiffured punky Pearly Underwing hinted at migration, and Green-brindled Crescent always nice to see. #TeamMoth
October 26, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Quality over quantity in the 14:8 in the Devon garden moth trap this morning. In addition to the Mervs, Radford's Flame Shoulder was NFY, a perfectly coiffured punky Pearly Underwing hinted at migration, and Green-brindled Crescent always nice to see. #TeamMoth
Squeezing out the last few moths of 2025 in Camden, with another 25:7 this morning. This Yellow-line Quaker was species #714 for the year (712 adults, 2 caterpillars). #TeamMoth
October 22, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Squeezing out the last few moths of 2025 in Camden, with another 25:7 this morning. This Yellow-line Quaker was species #714 for the year (712 adults, 2 caterpillars). #TeamMoth
27:7 in the Camden moth trap this morning was mainly Large Yellow Underwing and Double-striped Pug (11 each), but also a bit of migrant action with Rush Veneer and this uncooperative Palpita vitrealis. #TeamMoth
October 21, 2025 at 7:25 AM
27:7 in the Camden moth trap this morning was mainly Large Yellow Underwing and Double-striped Pug (11 each), but also a bit of migrant action with Rush Veneer and this uncooperative Palpita vitrealis. #TeamMoth
The Sorcerer from Kenfig last night. Finally got up the courage to remove it from the pot (after some others had seen it). As far as I know, fourth British record and first for Wales. Thanks to everyone for moral support during my meltdown. But, what a moth! #TeamMoth
October 18, 2025 at 4:58 PM
The Sorcerer from Kenfig last night. Finally got up the courage to remove it from the pot (after some others had seen it). As far as I know, fourth British record and first for Wales. Thanks to everyone for moral support during my meltdown. But, what a moth! #TeamMoth
Decent evening of mothing at Kenfig NNR yesterday. Aside from the magic one, another lifer in Agonopterix umbellana, only my 2nd (and 3rd) Autumnal Rustic, and a total of 10 NFY also included Green-brindled Crescent and Yellow-tail. #TeamMoth
October 18, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Decent evening of mothing at Kenfig NNR yesterday. Aside from the magic one, another lifer in Agonopterix umbellana, only my 2nd (and 3rd) Autumnal Rustic, and a total of 10 NFY also included Green-brindled Crescent and Yellow-tail. #TeamMoth
Three best photos without taking it out of the pot.
October 17, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Three best photos without taking it out of the pot.
I’d say Sorcerer looking favourite from this
October 17, 2025 at 8:14 PM
I’d say Sorcerer looking favourite from this
