Nick Pratt

Beewolf …

Wolves in the garden today on our Eryngium! Cerceris arenaria - Weevil Wolf (left) - and Philanthus triangulum - Bee Wolf - wasps which stun weevils and honeybees respectively before taking them back to their nests. Lucky to have both in the garden. Further photos of latter in next post #teammoth

Yes! Totally agree! They always look so exotic on first sight. 😂

Lots of these little beasties about at the moment on our local nettles. Harlequin Ladybird larvae.

Vespa crabro, European hornet

Volucella zonaria, Hornet plumehorn, which mimics the actual hornet.

Nice chance over the last few days, to compare Vespa crabro (European Hornet) with its hoverfly mimic Volucella zonaria (Hornet Plumehorn). Easy to see how the latter mimics the former and presumably gains some advantage in doing so.

Thanks Chris. And for alerting me to your record. I’m guessing the spring emergence on the continent isn’t so prolific as the Autumn one. Nice records.

Banded Pine Carpet, et al. Saturday, 31st May produced the first ‘oh-my-god-how-will-I-count-them-all’ morning of the year, that moment where you stumble out to the moth trap at 0430, see nothing but moths, and realise your …

Latest from my Budleigh moth trap wordofmothblog.wordpress.com/2025/06/02/b... #teammoth

A quieter night here in Budleigh Salterton with 67/32 in cooler weather, but still worth it to get Radford’s Flame Shoulder. Though increasingly common in SW a June record is unusual with most being Autumnal. #teammoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

Crikey! Well done on sorting all that lot out. Fabulous haul.

The first really big numbers of the year with 211/75. The outstanding moth was Banded Pine Carpet (Pungeleria capreolaria), just the second Devon record and only a scattering nationally. Also lifers for me Nephopterix angustella and Tinea semifulvella. #teammoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

Blimey! 😊

Think this is Banded Pine Carpet! (Pungelaria capreolaria) if anyone can confirm I’d be grateful. Only one other record for Devon, if so and only a few scattered records nationally. #teammoth

Thanks Sean.

Hi @mothiduk.bsky.social Do you think this looks good for Endothenia ustulana or just marginana (or just something else!)? Help appreciated …

Lovely post Gavin, thanks for sharing, and pleased to see that you’re gradually being pulled over to the dark side … the Down-Lookers!

Thanks … and unlike birds moths are quite happy in a pot in the fridge during the day!

Horseshoes, Alder … and Ooops, AI Two events to report from the last week or so. First, a quick catch-up on the last post which reported on great trapping at Godrevy, W. Cornwall – Striped Hawkmoth and a female Emperor Moth. …

Hi Thomas. If it’s any consolation I’ve been going 10 yrs now and still make spectacular blunders. I agree with others about AI - use it after spending time with the guides. More thoughts on this, and my latest blunder to make you feel better here wordofmothblog.wordpress.com/2025/05/11/h...

Garden Alder, bits and bobs A few nice bits and bobs to report on from the last week, when work has kept me too busy to run the trap more than a couple of times. First, and when I did manage to set the trap, having caught Ald…

The latest from my moth trap, and beyond wordofmothblog.wordpress.com/2025/05/23/g...
#teammoth

Nice record Richard. 😊

Alder Moth. A beautiful grey moth with a wide black cross-shaped pattern over its wings.

After my first ever Alder moth in Cornwall recently, another pitched up last night to make it a garden record too. Fabulous moth! #teammoth

Great mothing! Would love all three of those. Thanks for sharing.

Think this is Nomada goodeniana, Goodens Nomad bee (complete yellow band on T2?) but very happy to be put right if anyone out knows better (or can confirm). Either way, a beautiful cuckoo bee which uses certain mining bees as its host species.

Not done any mothing the last couple of days due to work, but this Azure Blue Damselfly graced yesterday’s dog walk.

Agree that’s a great book. The other one I find good for the bird dropping mimics is this one. Really recommend it for separating these tricky, but attractive moths.

Ouch! 🤕 I’ve never been stung but have heard how painful it is. I’m guessing you disturbed the hornet somehow, did you? I’ve never experienced any unprovoked aggression from them.

Kitten, with a sting in the tail Mothing is a largely random event. Ok, it has some pattern to it – wind direction alters the chance of migrants, a full moon reduces catches, and rain can have strange results too – but…

The latest from my moth trap wordofmothblog.wordpress.com/2025/05/17/k... #teammoth

Lovely moths and lovely photos too. Which clip in macro lens do you use?

A weirdly fab night with three lifers all relatively common but new for me. Dwarf Pug (prev post) joined by (I think but happy for corrections) Alder Kitten & Cryptoblabes bistriga. Also lots NFY including Bordered Sallow, Sharp-angled Peacock (shown), Orange Fm, H&D, Bloodvein, Eyed HM #teammoth

Vespa crabro - the European Hornet - an intimidating, but stunningly beautiful insect, the largest of the Vespa (wasp) genus with characteristic yellow and amber stripes.

And here’s why I always take care plunging my hand into the trap in the morning. Fortunately, I’d seen this stunningly beautiful Hornet buzzing around in the evening so was expecting it. Hornets are generally gentle, and this one was sleepy, but I’m always cautious with them. #teammoth

I did point it northwards as I released it 😊