Small Brindled Beauty. Photo: Paul Harris
Paul must have been extremely happy to open his Weymouth trap on 6/02/26 and find this Small Brindled Beauty inside as it’s a new species for his garden and miles from known closest records.
This one is a male, showing feathered antennae as well as a characteristic extremely hairy thorax.
Also notable in this species is that females are wingless.
Hebrew Character. Photo: Paul Harris
Paul trapped this Hebrew Character in his Weymouth garden on 31/01/26 commenting it was uncommon to find this species in January.
Winter Moth. Photo: Warren Port.
Warren sent us this sighting of a Winter moth on 26/12/25 which he spotted in Sturminster Newton, resting on a wall.
An interesting fact is that females cannot fly, and are often carried in flight by the male during copulation.
Bloxworth Snout. Photo: Paul Harris
On 23/12/25 Paul tells us:
Unless the weather forecast changes, that was probably my last trap of the year. It ended on a high though with this stunning Bloxworth Snout, which really should be hibernating at this time of year.
Carcina quercana. Photo: Paul Harris
On 23/12/25 Paul tells us:
This has to be this, the most superb Carcina quercana I’ve ever seen. An array of pink, yellow and black with some bonkers antennae. Stunning.
Mainly single brooded July- August, but sometimes found May -December, suggesting a second brood.
Angle Shade Caterpillar. Photo: Maurice Budden
Maurice spotted this Angle Shades caterpillar resting on his cyclamens in his Bridport garden on 14/12/25.
This species overwinters as a larva, feeding in mild weather on its range of many foodplants.
Cerne Giant Hill, while known for its giant picture of a giant on the hillside, is a great butterfly site, and we have just had the excellent news that the National Trust is hoping to buy it – but they need help raising the money. Continue reading
Rush Veneer. Photo: Maurice Budden
Maurice sent us this photo of a Rush Veneer spotted on 15/11/25 at Kingcombe Meadows.
A migrant, which can often be found in large numbers at coastal watch-points but can also be found inland.
Usually seen May-Sept so this is a very late sighting.
Red-green Carpet. Photo: Paul Harris
Paul tells us this Red-green carpet was his first this year in his Weymouth trap on 30th October.
It has one generation, September – November and March to May after hibernation.
Red Admiral. Photo: Warren Port
Ruby Tiger Caterpillar. Photo: Warren Port
On 8th November Warren tells us:
Today I photographed a Red admiral and a Ruby tiger moth caterpillar enjoying the sunshine on Park Walk, Shaftesbury. I moved the caterpillar off the path to safety.
