Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch) @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social · 3h

I guess you are right, but a far bigger area is being managed as road verges or by farmers who could create some nicer field margins, so we should also focus on those. In Dorset, there are some large Estates doing the right thing, eg one has created over 100km of 6 m field margins!

Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)

Mike Hetherington @mikemoths.bsky.social · 9h

There are some great #moths around in autumn. This morning's highlights were Merveille du Jour (living up to its name) and Blair's Mocha (probably resident around here). West Dorset, UK.
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
#teammoth

Merveille du Jour - 'wonder of the day' - Griposia aprilina (but it doesn't fly in April!)

2 21

Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch) @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social · 10h

Some shocking findings from our European colleagues, we need far more effort to conserve these amazing insects at home and abroad

martinswarren.bsky.social @martinswarren.bsky.social · 11h

The new European Butterfly Red List is published today, with worrying findings. Over 1/4 (28%) of Europe’s 442 species are threatened with extinction or are close to being so. The situation is far worse for our 148 endemic species, 40% are now threatened or nearly so www.bc-europe.eu/webpage.php?...

Front cover of the European Butterfly Red List, showing Polyommatus humedasae. The report can be downloaded at https://www.bc-europe.eu/webpage.php?name=red-list-butterflies-2025

1 2 4

Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)

Butterfly Conservation Europe @europebutterfly.bsky.social · 11h

The new European Butterfly Red List shows that butterflies are under increasing threat across Europe, with the number of species at risk of extinction up from 37 to 65 (73%) in the last 10 years. See our Press Release www.bc-europe.eu/documents/68...

www.bc-europe.eu

3 18 27

Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch) @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social · 1d

STOP PRESS: Long-tailed Blue see at Southbourne on 9th October. This remarkable season keeps on going www.dorsetbutterflies.com/2025/10/long...

Long-tailed Blue, Southbourne

Two photos of a great butterfly to see sent in by Tracy telling us: It was great to spot a Long-tailed Blue at Southbourne yesterday, 09/10/2025 and my husband Gary managed to get a slight open win…

www.dorsetbutterflies.com

3 33

Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)

Andy Martin @andos13.bsky.social · 2d

A rather small helice form of Clouded Yellow at Southbourne today. This individual had a delecate lemon flush on the wings. 😀 @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

1 3 18

Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch) @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social · 4d

Dont forget our Members Day and AGM on Saturday 8th November. Helpers needed www.dorsetbutterflies.com/2025/10/annu...

Annual Members’ Meeting

Our AMM will be held in Cerne Abbas on Saturday 8 November – see our Events page for full details. You may be able to help…

www.dorsetbutterflies.com

2 5

Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)

martinswarren.bsky.social @martinswarren.bsky.social · 6d

OK not the best picture but definitely an October Clouded Yellow at Durlston in Dorset, along with a couple of Walls, Speckled Woods, and an egg laying Red Admiral. Happy.
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

2 2 31

Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)

Alison Copland @alisoncopland.bsky.social · 6d

At least two Clouded Yellows seen around the Cordite Way Arne VP this morning. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @lytchettbirder.bsky.social @woodfordliz.bsky.social

2 15

Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)

peter-purbeck.bsky.social @peter-purbeck.bsky.social · 6d

My first and likely last Clouded Yellow of the year above Seacombe on the Jurassic Coast this afternoon. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

1 9

Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)

Mike Hetherington @mikemoths.bsky.social · 6d

Red Admiral larva crossing the road (slowly), West Dorset UK.
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

2 15

Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)

Sarah @sarahfaulkner.bsky.social · 6d

So happy to have 3 super-smart Black Rustic in the moth trap this morning (Weymouth) - an autumn favourite. 😍

Overall 11 species (23 individuals), included Barred Sallow, Lunar Underwing, Beaded Chestnut and Feathered Ranunculus.

#teammoth
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
@dorsetmoths.bsky.social

3 24

Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)

martinswarren.bsky.social @martinswarren.bsky.social · 8d

17 sp + 44 moths in my Corfe Castle #mothtrap yesterday. Inc 24 Lunar Underwings. Other lovelies were Centre-barred Sallow, Sallow, Feathered Brindle, and Frosted Orange @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social #teammoth

1 3 35

Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)

Wren Franklin @wrenfranklin.bsky.social · 7d

Red Admiral nectaring on Ivy at Milborne wood in Dorset today. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social @savebutterflies.bsky.social

1 8

Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)

martinswarren.bsky.social @martinswarren.bsky.social · 7d

Still a few very fresh Walls on Corfe Common, my first ever October sightings in UK. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

2 2 53

Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)

johngifford50.bsky.social @johngifford50.bsky.social · 10d

Just had a Wall butterfly in my Broadwey garden @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social. did not stay for a pic.

1 7

Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)

Butterfly Conservation @savebutterflies.bsky.social · 9d

Last year saw 10 amazing young people aged between 16-25 joining our first-ever Youth Panel!

Since then, the panel have spoken up for nature and youth empowerment at marches and events, attended residentials and launched their first Zine 👉 https://butterfly-conservation.org/youth-panel

11 members of Butterfly Conservation's Youth Panel, some standing and some crouching together outside, smiling at the camera and making a butterfly shape with their hands.

5 Youth Panel members and Youth Engagment Officer excitedly gathered around a moth trap

Youth Panel members and Youth Engagement Officer out on a bat walk at dusk. The Youth Engagement Officer is pointing out something in the sky.

Youth Panel members are pointing and look at a colourful flower border.

2 17

Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)

Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch) @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social · 17d

A reminder that our AGM and is on 8th November in Cerne Abbas, featuring a talk from Dr Caroline Bulman on what we are doing to conserve Dorsets rarest butterflies. Also a series of work parties coming up www.dorsetbutterflies.com/events/

Events

Please book with the event leader in advance – anytime up to the afternoon before the event. Please include your mobile phone number and email address, as we may have to contact you if number…

www.dorsetbutterflies.com

3 7

Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)

martinswarren.bsky.social @martinswarren.bsky.social · 13d

Still quite a few Walls on Corfe Common, the butterfly season goes on! @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

1 1 39

Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)

Sarah @sarahfaulkner.bsky.social · 13d

Plenty of butterflies on the wing around Barleycroft Lane, Portland today too.
Including 3 Wall, Clouded Yellow, 2 Painted Lady, and lots of Red Admiral nectaring on Ivy flowers.
Also a bonus Hummingbird Hawkmoth, and, on the birding front, a fabulous Wryneck.
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

Wall Brown at Barleycroft Lane, Portland

2 12

Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)

Rob Daw @robndaw.bsky.social · 13d

Butterfly List 2025: 🦋43
Clouded Yellow - Colias croceus
Southbourne Undercliff, Dorset 28/09/25

Approx 30 seen in 1 hour along the front
A 31st with a Helice when back at the car
+Painted Lady & Red Admiral
@dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
@savebutterflies.bsky.social
@ukbutterflies.bsky.social

1 15

Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)

martinswarren.bsky.social @martinswarren.bsky.social · 12d

Some stunners still in my garden today @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

1 34

Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)

garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 11d

I was down at Southbourne today and there was plenty of action from at least 20 Clouded Yellows seen along a mile long strip of the undercliff and getting photos of the females whilst they were egg laying was a top highlight.
Fantastic.

Southbourne Undercliff
Dorset

4 22

Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)

Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 14d

An unforgettable day with my @mariposanature.bsky.social group.

I found Desert Babul Blue on the European mainland!

There are a mere handful of past claims of it - this is an African species that's an ultra-rarity in Europe. I'm in a state of some shock.

#butterflies @europebutterfly.bsky.social

Desert Babul Blue (Azanus ubaldus) © Jon Dunn

10 19 140

Reposted by Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)

c0nc0rdance @c0nc0rdance.bsky.social · 14d

The idiom "like a moth to the flame" dates to at least the 12th century, to Persian love poem "Layla and Majnun". Shakespeare references it in "Merchant of Venice."

But here's the thing. Moths DON'T fly to flames. And we're just now understanding that.

Let's talk about dorsal light response.

a picture of a mosquito killer hanging from the ceiling with the caption i can 't help it it 's so beautiful

Alt: a picture of a mosquito killer hanging from the ceiling with the caption i can 't help it it 's so beautiful

media.tenor.com

6 33 110