Sam Gray

Mainly tweet about moths. Bird ringer.

[Sam Gray @SG_devon]

@RichardFoxBC This was a completely accidental find, followed up by a full search of the site that produced no other cases. Even where it is present it seems to be in low densities, or possibly this one was as a result of a wandering gravid female?

[Sam Gray @SG_devon]

Larval case of Coleophora paripennella found recently on Common Knapweed, only one case was found despite searching many plants. It doesn't seem to be all that commonly recorded in Devon.

[Sam Gray @SG_devon]

Really pleased to have been able to rear through an adult of this stunning species.

[Sam Gray @SG_devon]

Feeding signs of Selania leplastriana on Wild Cabbage found on the Devon coast the other day. Last Devon record was 12 years ago, so nice to confirm it's still doing ok, especially as there are only a small number of modern locations for the foodplant in the county.

[Sam Gray @SG_devon]

A couple of moths from the south Devon coast recently. Metzneria aestivella larvae in a Carline Thistle seedhead, and Coleophora follicularis larval cases on Hemp-agrimony.

[Sam Gray @SG_devon]

Very pleased to get a couple of fresh adults emerge over the past few days.

[Sam Gray @SG_devon]

Lampronia corticella larva feeding within this Raspberry shoot causing it to wilt. Found at a site where I netted an adult a few years ago. Only 4 previous Devon records, although likely quite under recorded.

[Sam Gray @SG_devon]

Feeding signs of Selania leplastriana on Wild Cabbage found on the Devon coast the other day. Last Devon record was 12 years ago, so nice to confirm it's still doing ok, especially as there are only a small number of modern locations for the foodplant in the county.

[Sam Gray @SG_devon]

@Chris_Vincent2 Yes, wild. Do have a look for it if you can find some raspberry, the larva is bright red. I have only recorded the adult once despite doing a lot of daytime recording at the site and yet easily found a good number of wilted shoots, so seemingly easily overlooked as an adult.

[Sam Gray @SG_devon]

Lampronia corticella larva feeding within this Raspberry shoot causing it to wilt. Found at a site where I netted an adult a few years ago. Only 4 previous Devon records, although likely quite under recorded.

[Sam Gray @SG_devon]

Pleased to get a couple of Phyllonorycter heegeriella emerge from mines in Oak collected at Hembury Woods, Devon earlier this year, amongst the expected harrisella and quercifoliella. Still none of the hoped for roboris though...!

[Sam Gray @SG_devon]

@vc28wildlife That's not a species that was on my radar Rob, but I can certainly keep an eye out for it next time I'm at a garden centre.

[Sam Gray @SG_devon]

A selection of garden centre moth finds from Devon recently. Prays oleae mines (including an active larva) and feeding damage on Olive, Prays citri cocoon with pupal exuvia on Lemon, and the expected abundance of Phyllocnistis citrella mines on Citrus.

[Sam Gray @SG_devon]

@RichardFoxBC @henwood_barry @BritishMoths Great to find trapeziella. I found it back in February at Dunsford Wood - nice distinctive larva and really quite common if you can find Hairy Wood-rush so I'm surprised there are not more Devon records.

[Sam Gray @SG_devon]

@MigrantMothUK Thanks... still haven't got over it. Guessing it's probably locally bred rather than a true migrant.

[Sam Gray @SG_devon]

Still can't quite believe it... absolutely blown away to get this Death's-head Hawk-moth to light in my Devon garden last night! @MigrantMothUK

[Sam Gray @SG_devon]

Excellent field trapping at @DevonWildlife Chudleigh Knighton Heath recently with 138 species between three traps. Highlights include Sloe Pug, Blotched Emerald, Birch Mocha, Grass Wave, Ancylis unculana, Grapholita lobarzewskii, Apotomis capreana & Ethmia dodecea.

[Sam Gray @SG_devon]

Although it seems I missed out on all the Crimson Speckled excitement recently, I am very pleased to have got this Purple Marbled which came to light in the garden on 29/10. VC3. @MigrantMothUK

[Sam Gray @SG_devon]

Spent a few hours walking around Dawlish Warren yesterday trying (and failing) to find a Crimson Speckled of my own. Compensation came in the form of this Spoladea recurvalis found south of the main pond. Also flushed 10 Rush Veneer. @MigrantMothUK @WarrenBirding

[Sam Gray @SG_devon]

Very obliging Great White Egret at Tottiford Reservoir yesterday afternoon. Colour ringed too, Red ACA, looks like it's the same bird that has been touring Devon over the past few months. Second site record, last one was in October 2016.

[Sam Gray @SG_devon]

@ChrisBish76 @NatureUK At least mine had some blue on it!