FIREBUG (Pyrrhocoris apterus). The first one I have seen in Long Melford (Suffolk). They certainly seem to be expanding their range around here - several have been reported locally this year. #UKBugs

A few micro moth records from today's walk around Glemsford in Suffolk. 1. Stigmella viscerella (Plain Elm Dot) 2. Coleophora ibipennella (Oak Pistol Case-bearer) 3. Stigmella salicis (Sallow Dot) 4. Caloptilia fidella (Hop Stilt) #mothsmatter

HUMMINGBIRD HAWKMOTH larvae - final instar, early instar and 15 (of 17) found this morning in field margins that are due to be mown (and moved to a nearby 'safe haven' on the farm). Long Melford, Suffolk. #mothsmatter

The highlight from Tuesday night's moth recording in Long Melford (Suffolk) was 2 FOUR-SPOTTED moths. Both were on the edge of an OP2 wild bird seed mixture field where there were two last year. Hopefully, they are colonising. #mothsmatter

Psychoides filicivora (Common Fern Moth). Larva and silken spinnings of sporangia on garden fern. Long Melford, Suffolk. #mothsmatter

Bucculatrix cristatella (Yarrow Tuft). Larval cocoons (one with empty pupal case) on Yarrow. Long Melford, Suffolk, 05/07/26. I'd looked for the cocoons previously and failed to find them so it was nice to locate these ones. #mothsmatter

POPLAR GREY. A smallish larva (maybe 18mm long) found today at rest on Black Poplar on the Foxearth Meadows Nature Reserve in Essex. #mothsmatter

TOADFLAX BROCADE larva on garden Purple Toadflax plants in Long Melford, Suffolk. One of about 15 present. #mothsmatter

Two nice Tortrix moths from a total of 111 species trapped in Long Melford (Suffolk) last night. 1. Epiblema foenella (White-foot Moth) 2. Acleris holmiana (White-marked Tortrix) #mothsmatter

PUSS MOTH larva - fifth (and final) instar. The growth of this caterpillar has been amazing. It emerged from its egg on 03/06/26 and was then only a few millimetres long. I'm going to release it back where I found it tomorrow. 🐛 #mothsmatter

ORANGE-TAILED CLEARWING was a nice addition to my local farm list this afternoon. Attracted to VES lure at Long Melford in Suffolk. #mothsmatter

Two larval cases of Coleophora siccifolia (Keeled Case-bearer) found yesterday on Hawthorn at Long Melford, Suffolk (three found in total). A Nationally Scarce B species. I really should thank @andydnunn.bsky.social for his recent post as it reminded me to look for this species. ‬👍 #mothsmatter

The impressive Rutpela maculata (Black-and-Yellow Longhorn Beetle) beaten from elm in Long Melford, Suffolk. 15/06/26. The larvae live in dead wood.

Three tortrix moths from last night in Long Melford (Suffolk). 1. Hedya salicella (White-backed Tortrix) 2. Aethes beatricella (Broad-barred Straw) 3. Archips crataegana (Brown Oak Tortrix) I think the first one must be my favourite tortrix species. #mothsmatter

Three moth larvae from today in Long Melford, Suffolk. 1. Chamomile Shark (mid-instar) on chamomile / mayweed species. 2. Yellow-tail on oak. 3. Vapourer on Goat Willow. It was good to find the first one as it took a lot of searching. 👀 #mothsmatter

PUSS MOTH early development. 1. Eggs found on upperside of Goat Willow Leaf, Long Melford, Suffolk. 28/05/26. 2. 1st instar larva (hatched 03/06/26). 3. 2nd instar larva (shed skin 07/06/26). The larva ate its shed skin apart from the tails. #mothsmatter

I went on a 'Glow-worm safari' last night and was very pleased to find a total of 12 glowing females. The green bioluminescence is always exciting to see. They were in organic field margins next to woodland in West Suffolk.

MULLEIN MOTH larvae from yesterday (plus habitat) in Long Melford, Suffolk. The third photo shows the remains of a parasitised caterpillar along with the cocoon of a Campopleginae wasp (which consumed the moth). #mothsmatter

I revisited the Long Melford (Suffolk) SMALL EGGARS today. They've grown an awful lot in 10 days! #mothsmatter

Small Mottled Willow from Long Melford last night. Nice that at least one has made it across to West Suffolk (vc 26). #mothsmatter @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

Oak Snakefly (Phaeostigma notata) was unexpected bycatch whilst moth trapping in Long Melford (Suffolk) last night (only my second). A Glow-worm larva that walked onto the sheet was another nice addition to the evening. Mothwise, 52 species in one trap was an improvement. #mothtrapintruders

It was nice to see this larval web of Small Eggar moth yesterday in Long Melford, Suffolk. I hope to take some better photos of the larvae as they get larger. Web is on Blackthorn. #mothsmatter

Another case of Coleophora kuehnella (Cloaked Case-bearer) found on oak today. This one was at Foxearth in Essex. Amazing constructions. #mothsmatter

Two nice longhorn beetles from yesterday. Both recorded at Long Melford in Suffolk: Anaglyptus mysticus (Rufous-shouldered Longhorn Beetle) and the much larger Stenocorus meridianus (Variable Longhorn Beetle). #UKBeetles

A few week 20 micro moths: 1. Platyptilia gonodactyla (Triangle Plume) 2. Epiblema sticticana (Colt's-foot Root-borer) 3. Coleophora kuehnella (Cloaked Case-bearer) 4. Agonopterix liturosa (Purple-shaded Brown) Quite a productive week despite some poor weather. See +ALT text. #mothsmatter

An excellent afternoon at Old Hall Marshes RSPB reserve produced AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER, TEMMINCK'S STINT and PECTORAL SANDPIPER, plus Wood Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, up to 16 Whimbrel, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 14 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Brent Geese and 3 Yellow Wagtails. 😀 #Essexbirding

Photos of four recent micro moths: 1. Eriocrania sangii (Purple Spring Jewel) 2. Coleophora hemerobiella (Black-spot Case-bearer) 3. Coleophora solitariella (Southern Stitchwort Case-bearer) 4. Coleophora ibipennella (Oak Pistol Case-bearer) Nice daytime records. See +ALT for details. #mothsmatter

I try to avoid negative posts on Bluesky (there's so much negative stuff elsewhere), but I couldn't ignore this. How on earth can contractors be trashing (coppicing) a local ancient woodland SSSI in the middle of the bird nesting season? Apparently Natural England were unaware and did not approve it

Read our latest blog about how the Connecting Constable & Gainsborough Country project is uncovering the rich wildlife of south Suffolk, using bioacoustics to map species across 17,700 hectares https://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/news/bioacoustic-research-reveals-bat-strongholds-southern-suffolk

A selection of moths from over the last few days. All from Long Melford in Suffolk. 1. Lackey. Larvae on Blackthorn 2. Cochylichroa atricapitana (Black-fronted Straw) 3. Prays ruficeps (Cryptic Ash Bud Moth) 4. Dyseriocrania subpurpurella (Common Spring Jewel). Leaf mine on oak #mothsmatter