David Howdon

There’s loads out there. I tend to fail at the identify the plant stage.

It's time 🎉

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Makes me wonder how they manage to identify each other to make sure they only mate with the right species.

A Common Blue butterfly is perched on heather against a pink background. Text overlay reads "Get out for the count" with Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count logo above it. In the bottom right corner, the text reads 'exclusive media partner' with BBC Countryfile Magazine logo. Photo credit Matt Berry

The Big Butterfly Count 2025 is here and butterflies need our help 🦋🚨

This isn't just a survey, it's a rescue mission, and we need everyone to get involved.

No lab coats. No science degrees. Just 15 minutes of your time. ⏱️

Get out for the count 👉 bigbutterflycount.org

Douglas Boyes Fund - Royal Entomological Society The Douglas Boyes Fund has been established in honour of Douglas Boyes (1996-2021), an esteemed entomologist specialising in Lepidoptera. The Fund aims to provide young people aged 14-18 with access…

Do you know a young person with an interest in insects? 🦋

The Douglas Boyes Fund aims to provide people aged 14-18 with access to entomology equipment, fostering their passion for insects and inspiring them to engage and share their interest with other young individuals 🔽

Plumed Fan-foot moth in a pot.

A ‘lifer’ as the birders say. Plumed Fan-foot #moth (Pechipogo plumigeralis) at #PerivaleWood earlier this week.

Elm leaf with an area eaten showing a sinuous feeding pattern.

Looks like the feeding signs of Aproceros leucopoda. From #Crawcrook VC66 earlier this week.

I tend to leave mine on as even if no rain is forecast as it’s Britain so some might happen. And given the cost (and eventually unavailability) of replacement MV bulbs I’d rather not risk them.

Varies a bit but most usually one of VC21, VC27-28 and VC66-68.

Anyone here know about archival zooplankton storage? #help

Next week sees the start of the 50th survey season for the UKBMS! #UKBMS50

We are excited to be reaching this milestone and looking forward to celebrating the fantastic volunteers that support the scheme.

(1/4)🦋 Introducing Project Psyche! A groundbreaking initiative to sequence the genomes of all 11,000 species of butterflies and moths in Europe. The goal is to analyse this data to understand global climate insecurity and threats to biodiversity on a genomic level🧬 #ProjectPsyche #Genomics

A bunch of photos over the years from #PerivaleWood. Mostly, but not all, mine. 500px.com/davidhowdon/...

Looking at it again now I’m more awake I think those saying E angustea are right here.

Diurnea fagella. A male the females are flightless.

Many moths need darkness to thrive, but each year, the night sky gets lighter 💡

We chat to PhD student, Madeleine Fabusova about her vital research into how artificial light at night is impacting moths 🌙

Read more here 👇
butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blo...

Interesting although it would have been good to see more breakdown of the arable management types. Is nature friendly solar more beneficial than nature friendly arable, or just than average arable (presumably a mix of nature friendly and unfriendly approaches)?

Has this specimen also got something a bit odd going on on the right hand hindwing? Seems to have a bit of underside pattern on the upperside. Or is that just damage letting it show through from below?

In insects, the first cell division of a fertilised egg results in one cell that controls the development of the left side of the body, & the other the right. If this division goes wrong, we can end up with an individual that is male on one side & female on the other; a bilateral gynandromorph. 1/2

Request from Pensthorpe… We are looking for an individual with experience of moth trapping & identification who would be happy to undertake regular monitoring on site as well as engaging with visitors.

Find out more by emailing volunteer@pensthorpe.com #norfolkmoths

I've now lost 2 MV bulbs in 2 nights. On both occasions the envelope failed, but the filament was working throughout, so I think I can discount the electrics. My rainshield more than covers the bulb and I've used it in all sorts of inclement weather with no issues. This is a conundrum! #TeamMoth

Snowy fields with distant tree line

Seems like good conditions to have someone scrobble it

Well there’s the January moth challenge here in the UK. Only link I have is to Facebook though. www.facebook.com/share/g/1YP9...

I will get that box

YouTube video by David Howdon 2024.

So that was #2024. youtu.be/uB0uER0rA0M?...

Marine creature washed up on shore. Red with small white spots. Multiple legs.

Anyone knowledgeable about sea creatures able to suggest an ID for this at Hunstanton Norfolk earlier today. No real idea where to start IDing these.

Attended my first @nenature.bsky.social talks this evening and learnt about 'Moths of Northumberland' presented by
@blotchedemerald.bsky.social

A great end to a Monday - was good to catch-up with @bensjhawthorne.bsky.social too!

Is it mean to be pleased that the council are only lighting every other street light at the moment when all the neighbours are complaining about it? It's really dark out there 😈 #TeamMoth

Seems a reasonable thing to be pleased about. I want nighttime back.

Interesting. He did rear them in quite unusual circumstances, kept cold until foliage was available the reared an 20C. I wonder if in the wild there is more correlation between oak availability and caterpillar emergence (temperature dependent?) which makes oak the preferred host?