explore | Grilled Cheese

@davegrundy.bsky.social Oct 1, 2026, 5:04 PM

Part 4 - Moth-trapping at - CIMA, Tarifa, Cadiz Province, Andalucia, Spain, on 16th/17th August 2026 - moth highlights are - Caloptilia coruscans & Coenochroa ablutella - see alt button for photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...

The tiny, but stunning Caloptilia coruscans! - moth-trapping at CIMA, Tarifa, Cadiz Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 17th of August 2026.

Coenochroa ablutella - a Pyralid moth - moth-trapping at CIMA, Tarifa, Cadiz Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 17th of August 2026.

And here's that dramatic sunrise again from the Straits! - moth-trapping at CIMA, Tarifa, Cadiz Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 20th of August 2026.

@davegrundy.bsky.social Sep 30, 2026, 3:10 PM

Part 3 - Moth-trapping at - CIMA, Tarifa, Cadiz Province, Andalucia, Spain, on 16th/17th August 2026 - moth highlights are - Passenger - Dysgonia algira & Crimson Speckled - Utetheisa pulchella - see alt button for photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...

The Passenger - Dysgonia algira looking very fresh! - moth-trapping at CIMA, Tarifa, Cadiz Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 16th of August 2026.

A Crimson Speckled - Utetheisa pulchella - up close! - moth-trapping at CIMA, Tarifa, Cadiz Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 17th of August 2026.

Another sunrise from the apartment at CIMA - moth-trapping at CIMA, Tarifa, Cadiz Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 20th of August 2026.

@davegrundy.bsky.social Sep 29, 2026, 5:03 PM

Part 2 - Moth-trapping at - CIMA, Tarifa, Cadiz Province, Andalucia, Spain, on 15th-17th August 2026 - moth highlights included - Metallostichodes nigrocyanella & Euchromius ocellea - see alt button for photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...

And starting with more micro-moths again! - The tiny Metallostichodes nigrocyanella - moth-trapping at CIMA, Tarifa, Cadiz Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 15th of August 2026.

Euchromius ocellea can be a long distance migrant - moth-trapping at CIMA, Tarifa, Cadiz Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 16th of August 2026.

Early morning view from the CIMA apartment - moth-trapping at CIMA, Tarifa, Cadiz Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 17th of August 2026.

@davegrundy.bsky.social Sep 28, 2026, 7:55 PM

Part 1 - Moth-trapping at - CIMA, Tarifa, Cadiz Province, Andalucia, Spain, on 15th August 2026 - moth highlights are - Etiella zinckenella & Achyra nudalis - see alt button for photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...

This has always been one of my favourites! With its 'jaunty' stance and the long 'nose' (palps) - it looks to have real character - Etiella zinckenella. - moth-trapping at CIMA, Tarifa, Cadiz Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 15th of August 2026.

And another micro-moth - this time not a Pyralid, but instead, a Crambid moth. Achyra nudalis - moth-trapping at CIMA, Tarifa, Cadiz Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 15th of August 2026.

Here is the view on the excellent evening walk into Tarifa, which i was keen to do on my first night back! - it was all part of returning back to my second home. - moth-trapping at CIMA, Tarifa, Cadiz Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 15th of August 2026.

@davegrundy.bsky.social Sep 25, 2026, 2:04 PM

I've posting photos of Sierra Nevada & Baza Desert in Granada, Andalucia, Spain.
I am back there again now! So, to keep you in the loop, here are a few more photos from this fantastic area, but from this week! #teammoth #spanishmoths

A taster of what i have done this week! - On the night of 21st of September 2026, i was up on the ridge to Pico Veleta, Sierra Nevada, Granada, Spain - and you can see the peak straight below the moon. This photo was taken at 2,300 metres as i switched on the moth trap in the foreground in the shelter of this rock face as the sun was setting.

And on the 24th of September 2026, I was checking the trap in the early morning light in Baza Desert, Granada, Andalucia, Spain.

And this was one of my finds in the trap - Lasiocampa serrula - a scarce moth found in this habitat. - on the 24th of September 2026, at Baza Desert, Granada, Andalucia, Spain.

@davegrundy.bsky.social Sep 24, 2026, 8:16 PM

Part 25 - Moth-trapping at - Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain, on 14th August 2026 - moth highlights are - Chloprothalpa graslini & Oiketicoides sp. - see alt button for photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...

Chloprothalpa graslini is a great looker when fresh! - moth-trapping up on the ridge to Pico Veleta, Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 14th of August 2026.

Oiketicoides sp. - if only the species was as easy to detect as its antennae!? - moth-trapping up on the ridge to Pico Veleta, Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 14th of August 2026.

So, this is at Hoya de la Mora car park with my little red van parked there! The sky looks threatening and guess which direction the weather is coming from!? And i still have 2 more traps to check here before getting back in my van!! - moth-trapping up on the ridge to Pico Veleta, Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 14th of August 2026.

@davegrundy.bsky.social Sep 23, 2026, 6:55 PM

Part 24 - Moth-trapping at - Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain, on 14th August 2026 - moth highlights are - the scarce Commophila nevadensis & much commoner Marbled Beauty - Bryophila domestica - see alt button for photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...

One of 4 that I saw at 2.500 metres among scree, rocks and cliffs - probably my favourite Sierra Nevada moth - Commophila nevadensis! It's isolated to only a small area in Spain and is daft enough to live in this imhospitable place! When I trapped these 4, the weather was strong wind, heavy rain and even hail - not ideal for counting moths and photographing them for me - even harder for a tiny moth like this!! - moth-trapping up on the ridge to Pico Veleta, Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 14th of August 2026.

Marbled Beauties - Bryophila domestica can be very dark grey or very pale near white in colour, but also can vary to this yellowish form. This is a moth that i share with 2,500 metres in the Sierra Nevada and my urban garden in central Birmingham, England! - moth-trapping up on the ridge to Pico Veleta, Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 14th of August 2026.

And the traps were busy and varied in their inhabitants - can you spot any that you know!? - moth-trapping up on the ridge to Pico Veleta, Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 14th of August 2026.

@davegrundy.bsky.social Sep 23, 2026, 8:35 AM

And wrong again! - Oh no!! - I got this wrong! Of course the location is Sierra Nevada mountains on 14/09/26 and nNOT Baza Desert on 13/09/26 - sorry!!!! #teammoth #spanishmoths

@davegrundy.bsky.social Sep 23, 2026, 8:34 AM

Oh no!! - I got this wrong! Of course the location is Sierra Nevada mountains on 14/09/26 and nNOT Baza Desert on 13/09/26 - sorry!!!! #teammoth #spanishmoths

@davegrundy.bsky.social Sep 22, 2026, 3:55 PM

Part 23 - Moth-trapping at - Baza Desert, Baza, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain, on the 13th of August 2026 - moth highlights are - Crocallis albarracina & Charissa crenulata - see alt button for photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...

Crocallis albarracina is a scarce moth for me - I have only seen 13 before and all in summer 2021! - moth-trapping up on the ridge to Pico Veleta, Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 14th of August 2026.

And another scarce one for me - Charissa crenulata (See underside photo coming up) - moth-trapping up on the ridge to Pico Veleta, Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 14th of August 2026.

The evening light, as seen from near the traps at 2,500 metres! - moth-trapping up on the ridge to Pico Veleta, Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 14th of August 2026.

@davegrundy.bsky.social Sep 21, 2026, 11:56 AM

Part 22 - Moth-trapping at - Baza Desert, Baza, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain, on the 13th of August 2026 - moth highlights are - Gufria limosa, Thalpophila vitalba & Pelochrista infidana - see alt button for photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...

Gufria limosa (front) & Thalpophila vitalba (behind) - moth-trapping up on the ridge to Pico Veleta, Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 14th of August 2026.

Pelochrista infidana was an attractive moth to see there and a new species for me too! - moth-trapping up on the ridge to Pico Veleta, Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 14th of August 2026.

The view when setting up traps at 2,500 metres! - moth-trapping up on the ridge to Pico Veleta, Sierra Nevada, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 14th of August 2026.

@davegrundy.bsky.social Sep 20, 2026, 2:12 PM

Part 21 - Moth-trapping at - Baza Desert, Baza, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain, on the 13th of August 2026 - moth highlights are - Cynaeda dentalis & Oxicesta serrata - see alt button for photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...

It looks just like a grass seed-head! - Cynaeda dentalis - moth-trapping at Baza Desert, Baza, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 13th of August 2026.

Oxicesta serrata - moth-trapping at Baza Desert, Baza, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 13th of August 2026. Another moth that looks like it should live in the desert!

Beautiful early morning light around the trap! - moth-trapping at Baza Desert, Baza, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 13th of August 2026.

@davegrundy.bsky.social Sep 19, 2026, 5:09 PM

Part 20 - Moth-trapping at - Baza Desert, Baza, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain, on the 13th of August 2026 - moth highlights are - Eteobalea dohrnii & Tephris ochreella - see alt button for photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...

And how's this for a dramatic looking moth - Eteobalea dohrni - this form is exceptionally pale - is it only found at desert sites? - moth-trapping at Baza Desert, Baza, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 13th of August 2026.

And another star desert moth - Tephris ochreella - if I remember rightly I have only seen it at Baza or Tabernas. - moth-trapping at Baza Desert, Baza, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 13th of August 2026.

Another view of the great habitat here! - moth-trapping at Baza Desert, Baza, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 13th of August 2026.

@davegrundy.bsky.social Sep 18, 2026, 4:49 PM

Part 19 - Moth-trapping at - Baza Desert, Baza, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain, on the 13th of August 2026 - moth highlights are - Phaselia algiricaria & Eupithecia gypsophilata - see alt button for photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...

And equally dramatic to see in your moth trap is this one - Phaselia algiricaria - moth-trapping at Baza Desert, Baza, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 13th of August 2026.

And a scarce Pug moth - Eupithecia gypsophilata is an attractive looking moth when fresh! - moth-trapping at Baza Desert, Baza, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 13th of August 2026.

The dramatic scenery and weather around Baza Desert - will we get rain tonight? - and the answer was no! - moth-trapping at Baza Desert, Baza, Granada Province, Andalucia, Spain on the 13th of August 2026.

@davegrundy.bsky.social Sep 17, 2026, 10:03 PM

Part 18 - Moth-trapping at - Matas de Lubia, Almazan, Soria Province, Castilla y Leon, Spain, 12th August 2026 - moth highlights are - Beautiful Marbled - Eublemma purpurina, Cryphia lusitanica & Blastobasis magna - see alt button for photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...

Beautiful Marbled - Eublemma purpurina always looks much more purple to me than Purple Marbled - Eublemma ostrina! - moth-trapping at Matas de Lubia, Almazan, Soria Province, Castilla y Leon, Spain on the 12th of August 2026, only a short time after the eclipse excitement!

And another cracking moth - the very green coloured Cryphia lusitanica - moth-trapping at Matas de Lubia, Almazan, Soria Province, Castilla y Leon, Spain on the 12th of August 2026, only a short time after the eclipse excitement!

And finally a great looking Blastobasis sp. which has already been identified by John Girdley as Blastobasis magna - a female by geni-prep - moth-trapping at Matas de Lubia, Almazan, Soria Province, Castilla y Leon, Spain on the 12th of August 2026, only a short time after the eclipse excitement!

@davegrundy.bsky.social Sep 16, 2026, 12:41 PM

Part 17 - Moth-trapping at - Matas de Lubia, Almazan, Soria Province, Castilla y Leon, Spain on 12th of August 2026 - moth highlights are - Idaea consanguiberica & Acrocercops brongniardella leaf mine on oak - see alt button for photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...

Another night in the north of Spain and another night with the excellent Idaea consanguiberica! - moth-trapping at Matas de Lubia, Almazan, Soria Province, Castilla y Leon, Spain on the 12th of August 2026, only a short time after the eclipse excitement!

And on to the micros - this one was picked up by John Girdley - Acrocercops brongniardella - a leaf-miner on the oak with its distinctve mine! - moth-trapping at Matas de Lubia, Almazan, Soria Province, Castilla y Leon, Spain on the 12th of August 2026, only a short time after the eclipse excitement!

And a view of the habitat with these rides/fire-breaks! - moth-trapping at Matas de Lubia, Almazan, Soria Province, Castilla y Leon, Spain on the 12th of August 2026, only a short time after the eclipse excitement!

@davegrundy.bsky.social Sep 16, 2026, 12:32 PM

Part 16 - Moth-trapping at - Matas de Lubia, Almazan, Soria Province, Castilla y Leon, Spain on 12th of August 2026 - just after the eclipse excitement! moth highlights are Acrobasis porphyrella & Ennomos quercaria - see alt button for photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...

We saw 21 of the amazing looking Acrobasis porphyrella - moth-trapping at Matas de Lubia, Almazan, Soria Province, Castilla y Leon, Spain on the 12th of August 2026, only a short time after the eclipse excitement!

And another star was the tiny Ennomos quercaria - Thorn moth. - moth-trapping at Matas de Lubia, Almazan, Soria Province, Castilla y Leon, Spain on the 12th of August 2026, only a short time after the eclipse excitement!

The quality of the woodland can be seen here. - moth-trapping at Matas de Lubia, Almazan, Soria Province, Castilla y Leon, Spain on the 12th of August 2026, only a short time after the eclipse excitement!

@davegrundy.bsky.social Sep 14, 2026, 5:13 PM

Those of you who are smarter than me will notice that this should of course have been Part 15!!!! - but not to worry - the photos are the bit that matters!? #teammoth #spanishmoths

@davegrundy.bsky.social Sep 13, 2026, 10:49 PM

Part 14 - We had now moved 7 hours drive north to nr Soria, Castella Y Leon, Spain on 12th August 2026. And after a busy night of moths, it was time for the main act! - the eclipse! - see alt button for photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...

The eclipse only lasted 2 minutes, but you have to try for moths!? Here's my moth trap switched on and ready for a total eclipse at - Total Eclipse of the sun! - will it catch anything? - seen at - Ermita de los Santo Martires, Garray, near Soria, Castilla y Leon, Spain on the 12th of August 2026.

A magical moment in my life!!!!!!!!!!! - And here is the actual event - at - Total Eclipse of the sun! - seen at - Ermita de los Santo Martires, Garray, near Soria, Castilla y Leon, Spain on the 12th of August 2026.

Sadly the moth trap was empty, but we did see one moth! - at the eclipse when we found these moth leaf-mines on a Horse Chestnut near the church - Cameraria ohridella - surprisingly it was my first record for Spain!! - Total Eclipse of the sun! - seen at - Ermita de los Santo Martires, Garray, near Soria, Castilla y Leon, Spain on the 12th of August 2026.

@davegrundy.bsky.social Sep 10, 2026, 2:14 PM

Part 14 - We had now moved 7 hours drive north to nr Soria, Castella Y Leon, Spain on 11th August 2026. Highlight moths of a great 100 species night included; Spatalia argentina & Selagia argyrella - see alt button for photos #teammoth #spanishmoths www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...

This has to be one of the real Spanish star moths!? And not only that, but i have only seen 3 before! - The Prominent species - Spatalia argentina - moth trapping south of Adradas, Castilla y Leon, Spain on the 11th of August 2026. And i guess the name is connected to the silvery patches on the wings? - and nothing to do with the country!?

And here's my best photo of the cracking Pyralid that is Selagia argyrella - moth trapping south of Adradas, Castilla y Leon, Spain on the 11th of August 2026.

The great habitat we were trapping and as seen at dusk. - moth trapping south of Adradas, Castilla y Leon, Spain on the 11th of August 2026.