I'm glad I took a closer look at a moth nectaring on the Buddleja yesterday evening as it turned out to be a Dewick's Plusia, a smart little thing, only the 2nd garden record. VC30 Bedfordshire ##teammoth

That's probably one of those old wives tales like that saying, 'the grass is always greener'...

I've had some nice moths to the wine ropes over the last couple of weeks. Last night I finally got my 'annual' Red Underwing after brief views of a Catocala species the previous 2 nights. One of my favourite moths. Bedfordshire VC30

I guess you gotta be in it to win it, so fair play for being out looking for stuff. I just remembered I still have the book here!

Was great to see larval feeding signs of Choreutis nemorana on Fig at the allotment again this year. Even better was managing to rear one through and finally get to see the adult, a really striking moth. VC30 Bedfordshire #teammoth

Nice finds Ruth, especially that micro it's a stunner. I rarely see the adult but it must be fairly common as I often see the larval feeding signs on Hypericum.

The weather has turned a bit unsettled lately, but that hasn't stopped the local Bryony Mining Bees (Andrena florea) from being active. At least 3 seen yesterday on a fairly large White Bryony (Bryonia dioica), their sole foodplant. VC30 Bedfordshire

Another day, another random encounter with a quality micro. This time a Carpatolechia fugitivella potted (at the second attempt!) off a car boot, just as I was leaving the allotment this evening. Think it's a new one for me. VC30 Bedfordshire #teammoth

Golden-bloomed Grey Longhorn Beetle (Agapanthia villosoviridescens) on a verge near home today. Roughly one or two sightings a year for me on average, always puts a smile on my face, and always puts me in a panic trying to get a photo before it zooms off again! VC30 Bedfordshire

Noticed a moth in with the split maize at a pet food store today. c12-13mm long. I think it might be Mediterranean Flour Moth (Ephestia kuehniella), would appreciate other's opinions. VC30 Bedfordshire.

Not much on the wing as was sweltering in the sun and I guess everything was seeking shade, apart from a Common Blue who was enjoying the bounty.

A bit late for #Wildflowerhour but thought I'd chip in with one of my favourite plants, Grass Vetchling (Lathyrus nissolia) seen today in abundance near home. A bit of a subtle one for #WildFlowerShow in that at first it wasn't apparent how much was present, until I got my eye in and POW!!!

Lots of interesting by-catch in the moth trap on Friday night here in Bedfordshire inc Diaperis boleti, 10-spot Ladybird, Phoenix Fly and the beautifully marked Miris striatus.

Not the greatest pic (phone snap in fading light) but great to see Bee Orchid in flower on my home patch. Not one of the rosettes I found earlier in the year, but a sneaky singleton on arable margin. County flower of Bedfordshire, appropriately.

Had a productive time nature-wise whilst tending the allotment yesterday. My first Wasp Beetle of the year, nearby amorous 7-spot Ladybirds and Podagrica fuscipes Beetles on the Hollyhock. Also managed to record Puccinia malvacearum rust on some of the leaves. Bedfordshire VC30

Managed to find 2 of my target species on yesterday's walk. Puccinia adoxae rust fungus on Moschatel (Adoxa moschatellina) and Puccinia aegopodii on Ground Elder (Aegopodium podagraria).

A couple of Buttercup encounters for this week's #Wildflowerhour An nice display of what I think are Bulbous Buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus) with reflexed sepals. Secondly, what I presume is Goldilocks Buttercup (Ranunculus auricomus), the final flower of a small patch found in ancient woodland.

Nice to get in on the recent Painted Lady influx today. Fortunately settled long enough for a record shot. Also found a few tiny Grapholita compositella among the Bird's-foot Trefoil and disturbed several Diamond-back Moths from the grass.

Umbelifer Longhorn (Phytoecia cylindrica)on Wood Avens (Geum urbanum) today in the afternoon sun. NE Somerset

Another day, yet another Shieldbug, this time a Mottled Shieldbug (Rhaphigaster nebulosa). Found among Ivy on a Hawthorn tree down the allotment, the first time I've encountered this particular species. Underside view shows the characteristic spike. VC30 Bedfordshire

Found my Gorse and Hairy Shieldbugs of the year this evening, soaking up the last rays of the sun on a Leylandii. Closer inspection revealed a dozen 7-Spot, 6 Pine and 2 Harlequin Ladybirds also present. I wonder what else might be hiding in there..? VC30 Bedfordshire

#SignsofSpring for #Wildflowerhour from my home patch today, what I think are male flowers of Goat Willow (Salix caprea) and female flowers of Grey Willow (Salix cinerea). Hopefully providing lots of fuel for the early emerging bees and moths..

Amazed to stumble across this Oil-beetle yesterday, something I rarely encounter. I'm leaning towards Black Oil-beetle as opposed to Violet as the rear margin of the (squarish) thorax appears relatively straight, but I'd welcome other's opinions.. #coleoptera

A positive week for #Wildflowerhour with several new-for-the-year things. Surprised and chuffed to find a patch of Moschatel just opening up. Viola odorata var.dumetorum and both Lesser and Greater Periwinkle.

On 19/01/26 I found a larval case on a fence. It appeared to be a Dahlica species, one of the Bagworm Moths. In order to confirm the identity the pupal exuvia needs to be closely examined, so I retained it to rear it through. Last night the wingless, grub-like adult female emerged. VC30 #teammoth

I'm glad I'm not the only one who struggles to get crisp photos of Springtails, thanks for the reassuring post! Here's my effort of what I think is Dicyrtoma saundersi, on the laptop screen the bars of the abdominal mark are just about visible..

A few things of interest on a garden fence today. 5 Orchesella cincta Springtails, Scarce Footman larva, Luffia lapidella case and a large, presumably parasitised, pupa. I've no idea what species it once housed, but it was impressive nonetheless, having the appearance of burnished metal. VC30

Minotaur Beetle (Typhaeus typhoeus) was a nice find under the street light this morning here in Bedfordshire VC30

3 species of Psychidae on one section of wooden fence. Whilst I was passing by I decided to check the fence where last year I counted over 1000 Luffia lapidella cases, found 853 today along with a probable Dahlica sp. case (needs rearing to confirm) A bonus Psyche casta was nfy. VC30 #teammoth

Managed #theWinterTen on today's litter pick, with a dozen species in flower. Highlights were Sweet Violets (Viola odorata), my 1st Primrose (Primula vulgaris) of the year, ever-reliable Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and what I suspect is Common Whitlow-grass (Erophila verna agg). #WildflowerHour