Steve Chapple

Graphic designer and ex-marketing manager. Currently having fun cooking, gardening, skiing, making cider, watching cricket and befriending the local Lepidoptera

[Steve Chapple @stevethemoth]

After 15 great years with Twitter with a heavy heart I have decided to move to Bluesky - I'm afraid Elon Musk is not my cuppa. Many thanks for following me and for all of those wonderful comments and likes. So long and thanks for all the moths.
https://t.co/SF3N6Q6MIL

[Steve Chapple @stevethemoth]

I've joined the Radford's Club!

[Steve Chapple @stevethemoth]

Red-line Quaker time.

[Steve Chapple @stevethemoth]

A fresh Wax Moth - it reminds me a little of a House Sparrow's plumage

[Steve Chapple @stevethemoth]

Two Portland Ribbon Waves found at two locations in Taunton on Saturday 10th August!
@migrantmoth

[Steve Chapple @stevethemoth]

Carrying a little 'moth pot' has paid dividends this year resulting in the temporary capture of this beautiful Flame Crest (Chrysoesthia drurella).

[Steve Chapple @stevethemoth]

@SteveJTurner76 @MOTHIDUK I think you are right! Thank you so much Steve.

[Steve Chapple @stevethemoth]

This tortrix is driving me mad. Can anyone please put me out of my misery? Celypha woodiana was the closest I could get.
@MOTHIDUK

[Steve Chapple @stevethemoth]

A Bordered Beauty, such a beautiful moth and only my fifth here in 12 years

[Steve Chapple @stevethemoth]

After finding a Dewick's Plusia larva in the garden late last year I wondered if I would get an overwintered specimen' in the trap this year. Last night this turned up. Too early for a migrant I would think?

[Steve Chapple @stevethemoth]

@SteveJTurner76 Oh dear! Still a great moth.

[Steve Chapple @stevethemoth]

Another fabulous moth! The Scarce Silver-lines visits every few years - always a treat when it does.

[Steve Chapple @stevethemoth]

What a fabulous little moth. Phtheochroa rugosana - first for a few years.

[Steve Chapple @stevethemoth]

This must be the most attractive Heart & Dart I've ever seen

[Steve Chapple @stevethemoth]

@dgcountryside 13th June 2024, Taunton, Somerset, Dave. Where did that come from!

[Steve Chapple @stevethemoth]

The weather was dull but I put out the Actinic trap - nothing of note exept for one unfamiliar dull brown moth - Porter's Rustic?
The next day it escaped before I could snap it. I spent the day fretting but luckily it turned up in the kitchen. Phew! Confirmed a Porter's Rustic!

[Steve Chapple @stevethemoth]

Some nice micro moths from the last few days. A better year for them this year despite the cold nights

[Steve Chapple @stevethemoth]

On the 6th September '23 I found a huge female Clifden Nonpareil/Blue Underwing near the Actinic trap. It laid 70 eggs before I could release it. I retained nine larvae to rear, eight have already pupated but this one is still going and growing rapidly!

[Steve Chapple @stevethemoth]

I just spent a few days in Normandy, the weather was no better but the moths were magnificent. A Black-veined Moth stopped just long enough to oblige me with a few pictures.

[Steve Chapple @stevethemoth]

A very unexpected Gem last night - at least three months earlier than my previous record!