Alan Salter

It’s not a resource that I had previously come across but it is very helpful. 👍

Wildlife Insight website has the answers. 80mm.

Oak Eggar caterpillar on Bramble leaf in front of blue plastic ruler.

Moved my surviving Oak Eggar caterpillar from the garage to cool spot inside where I can keep an eye on it. About 50mm long now & still munching away on Bramble leaves which are more tricky to find at this time of year.
Anyone know how big it will get before pupating? Moth size I suppose #TeamMoth

Very nice work.
🤢

Agreed Clive.

Usually just stick the trap on a table up against something large and white which got us there in the first place. Picking up a grey one tomorrow. Not sure how that will work? Silver/Grey bike cover seems to work though. Hopefully some proper moth-ers use something more effective.

Just 1/1 last night
Pale Brindled Beauty
#TeamMoth VC13

Not necessary. Just gone up to 3/3 for the month. I know what you mean though.

Given that my total was 2/2 I’m going to say I’m impressed. Well done.

Didn’t observe that behaviour personally. 🤷‍♂️

My daughter definitely knows how to order gifts.

Does make me smile whenever I look at it.

The surviving caterpillar in its 6th instar now approaching 40mm feeding on bramble.

The adult female that laid five eggs while awaiting release.

The overwintering quarters created by butchering an electrical kitchen steamer.

Of my five Oak Eggar eggs, left behind by a visiting female on 26th August 2025 just the one has survived the Winter in it’s temporary home in my garage. None of them stopped eating the whole time but four didn’t make it. Hopefully the remaining one might survive to adulthood? #TeamMoth

I have had a fox come and sit down next to me while I was by my trap. Camera was indoors!

Less highbrow reference than I thought then. 😂😂😂

Excuse my ignorance on the Tyson reference but is that the same one that’s based in Missouri or a different one?

I can see that online now. American influence perhaps? 🤔

Not going with Gypsy Moth as the vernacular name James ?

An absolutely stunning number of moths per trap average. 👏👏👏

I’ve just realised I have missed one out. Total life list is 12 Hawkmoth species.
Spurge Convolvulus Hummingbird Oak
Lime Privet Small Elephant Pine
Elephant Poplar Striped & Eyed.
(Spurge 🇪🇸 Oak 🇫🇷)
#TeamMoth
It’s going to be tricky to add more but it’s definitely worth trying.

Well the thing is,
I wasn’t expecting a lifer in January as A. umbrana would be for me. 😳

#TeamMoth
Actually caught a moth. The AI suggests Acleris umbrana but I’m doubtful so any suggestions please?
VC13

The trap is out but I’m pretty sure there’s nothing flying atm.

To be fair that’s probably closer to normal than wanting to spend time looking for an irritating insect with little prospect of success.

I suspect that even if you had been given permission to have a look the time taken to find one would be longer than the threshold of patience of your walking partner.

As it’s the off season for catching moths I tried a different type of catching today. Managed a brace of Merlangius merlangus. Whiting.
Returned to the sea after measurement and photos. #TeamFish

I wouldn’t say so, given the huge number of LBAMs that I catch each year and the pitiful number of Winter Moths I have ever caught.

Off the mark for 2026
LBAM 😂😂😂😂

A moth in 2026 too.

Have managed a fly too.