3-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PEARL MOTH (Udea numeralis)

The pearl moth (Udea numeralis) is a small species of snout moth in the family Crambidae.

Overview and Physical Characteristics

• Wingspan: Approximately 25 to 26 mm.

• Description: Originally described by the entomologist Jacob Hübner in 1796. It belongs to the subfamily Spilomelinae and the genus Udea.

Distribution and Habitat

• Location: It is found in Southern Europe—including France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, and Greece (such as the island of Crete)—as well as North Africa (Algeria and Morocco).

• Habitat: Commonly observed in warm, Mediterranean environments like olive groves and river banks.

Biology and Diet

• Food Plants: The larvae feed on plants from the Compositae (aster/daisy) family.

• Flight Period: In warmer southern regions like Crete, adults can be recorded across an extended period of the year.

3-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - COMMON LAND SNAIL (Xerocrassa subrogata)

Xerocrassa subrogata is a species of air-breathing land snail, a pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Geomitridae.

This species is endemic to Spain, where it is widely distributed in the eastern provinces of the country.

Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Mollusca

• Class: Gastropoda

• Family: Hygromiidae (or Geomitridae)

Habitat and Range

• Location: Endemic to Spain, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world.

• Distribution: Widely spread across the eastern regions of the country.

• Environment: Terrestrial areas where it breathes air using a modified lung.

2-10-2026 TONGASS NAT FOREST, ALASKA - BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) WEBCAM

The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a bird of prey found in North America. A sea eagle, it has two known subspecies and forms a species pair with the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), which occupies the same niche as the bald eagle in the Palearctic. Its range includes most of Canada and Alaska, all of the contiguous United States, and northern Mexico. It is found near large bodies of open water with an abundant food supply and old-growth trees for nesting.

The bald eagle is an opportunistic feeder that subsists mainly on fish, upon which it swoops down and snatches from the water with its talons. It builds the largest nest of any North American bird and the largest tree nests ever recorded for any animal species, up to 4 m (13 ft) deep, 2.5 m (8.2 ft) wide, and 1 metric ton (1.1 short tons) in weight. Sexual maturity is attained at the age of four to five years.

Bald eagles are not bald in the literal sense; the name derives from an older meaning of the word, "white-headed". The adult is mainly brown with a white head and tail. The sexes are identical in plumage, but females are about 25% larger than males. The yellow beak is large and hooked. The plumage of the immature is brown.

The bald eagle is the national bird and national symbol of the United States and appears on its seal. In the late 20th century it was on the brink of extirpation in the contiguous United States, but measures such as banning the practice of hunting bald eagles and banning the use of the harmful pesticide DDT slowed the decline of their population. Populations have since recovered, and the species' status was upgraded from "endangered" to "threatened" in 1995 and removed from the list altogether in 2007.

2-10-2026 HOMOSASSA SPRINGS, FLORIDA - WEST INDIAN MANATEE (Trichechus manatus) WEBCAM

The West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), also known as the North American manatee, is a large, aquatic mammal native to warm coastal areas of the Caribbean, from the Eastern United States to northern Brazil. Living alone or in herds, it feeds on underwater plants and uses its whiskers to navigate. It is divided into two subspecies, the Florida manatee (T. m. latirostris) in the United States and the Antillean manatee (T. m. manatus) in the Caribbean, both of which are endangered and face pressure from habitat loss, pollution, and other human activity. The West Indian manatee is the largest living member of the sirenians (order Sirenia), a group of large aquatic mammals that includes the dugong, other manatees, and the extinct Steller's sea cow.

Manatees are herbivores, have developed vocal communication abilities, and are covered in highly sensitive whiskers (called vibrissae) that are used for feeding and navigation. In breeding season, several males form mating herds around an individual female; on average, one calf is born to a female manatee every two to three years.

In the 1970s, the West Indian manatee was listed as endangered in the United States under the Endangered Species Act, when there were only several hundred left. The decades since have witnessed significant efforts to protect this species from natural and human threats, particularly collisions with watercraft. In 2017, the United States changed the classification to threatened, citing a substantial increase in the total population.

In 2025, a petition began by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reinstate them as endangered.

2-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - MULLEIN WAVE MOTH (Scopula marginepunctata)

Scopula marginepunctata, the mullein wave, is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was described by Johann August Ephraim Goeze in 1781. It is found throughout Europe.

Scopula marginepunctata occurs in Europe from the Iberian Peninsula in the west to the Ural mountains in the east. In the north, the range extends to the south coast of England, the southern Netherlands and the German Baltic Sea coast. However the species is missing in parts of northern Germany. There are isolated occurrences on Bornholm, Skåne and the southern Baltic. In the south, the range extends in North Africa from Morocco in the west to Egypt. The distribution ranges from there further over the Middle East, Asia minor, the Caucasus, northern Iran, Central Asia and Mongolia.

The wingspan is 25–28 millimetres (0.98–1.10 in). The length of the forewings is 12–15 millimetres (0.47–0.59 in). The second generation is often smaller and the moths reach only about 18 mm wingspan. Colour and wing pattern vary. The base colour is off-white to light brown, and the wings are strong dark over dusted with dark scales. In the Swiss Canton of Ticino darkened forms occur, which were formerly called subspecies insubrica. The pattern of the wing is dark grey to dark brown, depending on the ground colour. The interior cross line and median bands are usually little developed. The medium band is relatively wide, if present, but frequently washed out. The interior cross line is often reduced to a row of dots. Usually only the outer cross line is significantly developed and almost always very pronounced and jagged, the tips of the spikes are even darker highlighted towards the marginal field. The front edge itself may be slightly darker than the ground colour. In the marginal field, usually four to five tooth-shaped, slurred stains are present, two penultimate often characteristic close. The intensity of each cross line may be slightly different on forewings and hindwings. Marginal stains are usually present. Discal flecks are almost always present on the front as well as on the rear wings.

2-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - ELBOW STRIPED GRASS VENEER (Agriphila geniculea)

Agriphila geniculea, the elbow-striped grass-veneer, is a species of moth of the family Crambidae. It was first described by Adrian Hardy Haworth in 1811.

This species can be found in most of Europe and parts of North Africa. It usually occurs in dry pastures, grassy area, sand-dunes, gardens and grassland.

The wingspan is 20–26 mm. The forewings usually show two strongly curved cross-lines, but sometimes these lines are not visible.

This species is very similar to Agriphila tolli and Agriphila inquinatella. It can be distinguished from the first on the basis of the higher distance that separates said cross-lines. Moreover, in A. geniculea the forewings are crossed by a couple of chevrons, while A. inquinatella is longitudinally variably streaked.

The species has one generation. The moth flies at dusk from July to October depending on the location. When disturbed they come to light. The larvae can be found from late September to early May, as they winter in the larval stage. They feed within stems of Festuca ovina and various other grasses. They inhabit silken galleries, camouflaged with excrement, at the base of small grasses. Sometimes they leave these galleries and curl themselves tightly in a coil along the stem-bases of grasses.

2-10-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CLICK BEETLE (Cebrio superbus)

Click beetles (family Elateridae) are distinct for their ability to flip themselves upright when on their backs by snapping a thorax spine into a groove, creating an audible "click" to escape predators. Over 7,000–10,000 species exist worldwide, typically measuring 12–40 mm (up to 2.5 inches) with long, slender, dark-colored bodies. Their larvae, known as wireworms, live in soil, feeding on roots and tubers. 

Key Facts About Click Beetles

Unique Mechanism: When flipped on their backs, they snap their thorax, launching themselves into the air while making a clicking sound.

Physical Appearance: They have hard, elongated, and often parallel-sided bodies (brown, black, or grey). Some species feature eye-like spots on their pronotum.

2-10-2026 TONGASS NAT FOREST, ALASKA - BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) WEBCAM

The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a bird of prey found in North America. A sea eagle, it has two known subspecies and forms a species pair with the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), which occupies the same niche as the bald eagle in the Palearctic. Its range includes most of Canada and Alaska, all of the contiguous United States, and northern Mexico. It is found near large bodies of open water with an abundant food supply and old-growth trees for nesting.

The bald eagle is an opportunistic feeder that subsists mainly on fish, upon which it swoops down and snatches from the water with its talons. It builds the largest nest of any North American bird and the largest tree nests ever recorded for any animal species, up to 4 m (13 ft) deep, 2.5 m (8.2 ft) wide, and 1 metric ton (1.1 short tons) in weight. Sexual maturity is attained at the age of four to five years.

Bald eagles are not bald in the literal sense; the name derives from an older meaning of the word, "white-headed". The adult is mainly brown with a white head and tail. The sexes are identical in plumage, but females are about 25% larger than males. The yellow beak is large and hooked. The plumage of the immature is brown.

The bald eagle is the national bird and national symbol of the United States and appears on its seal. In the late 20th century it was on the brink of extirpation in the contiguous United States, but measures such as banning the practice of hunting bald eagles and banning the use of the harmful pesticide DDT slowed the decline of their population. Populations have since recovered, and the species' status was upgraded from "endangered" to "threatened" in 1995 and removed from the list altogether in 2007.

16-4-2024 PANNA TIGER RESERVE, INDIA - MOTTLED WOOD OWL (Strix ocellata)

The mottled wood owl (Strix ocellata ) is a species of large owl found in India. They are found in gardens and thin deciduous forests adjacent to dry thorn forests or farmland. They are easily detected by their distinctive tremulous eerie calls at dawn and dusk. The characteristic call is a duet of the male and female while other notes include a low hoot and a screech. Their large size, lack of "ear" tufts and the concentric barring on the face make them easy to identify.

The eerie call has been associated with ill omen in some parts of Kerala. The call is interpreted as povaa-aa (="let us go" in Malayalam) and likened to a summons to the spirit world.

This large owl lacks ear tufts and is mottled and vermiculated in reddish brown and white. The face disc is marked with fine concentric black and white barring. The sexes are alike. The chin is white. The eyelid is orange and the iris is dark brown. The tail is barred narrowly in brown and black. The concentric barring on the face and mottled crown separate it from the brown wood owl in southern India.

21-9-2026 CANOPY LODGE, PANAMA - COMMON BASILISK (MALE) (Basiliscus basiliscus) WEBCAM

The common basilisk (Basiliscus basiliscus) is a species of lizard in the family Corytophanidae. The species is endemic to Central America and South America, where it is found near rivers and streams in rainforests. It is also known as the Jesus Christ lizard, Jesus lizard, South American Jesus lizard, or lagarto de Jesus Cristo for its ability to run on the surface of water.

The common basilisk can be distinguished from similar species within its range by its large size and the high fin-like crest along its back. Most common basilisks are brown and cream in color. Males also have high crests on the head and tail. Both genders are brown to olive, and have a white, cream, or yellow stripe on the upper lip and a second stripe along either side of the body; these stripes have higher contrast in juveniles and fade as the lizards age.

Hatchlings weigh a mere 2 grams (0.071 oz) and are 38 to 43 mm (1.5 to 1.7 in) long. Adults can grow to a total length (including tail) of 76 cm (2.5 feet). Females are generally 135 to 194 g (4.8 to 6.8 oz), and weigh half as much as males. The tail comprises 70 to 75% of the total length: for example, a 70-cm-long (27.5-inch-long) common basilisk would have a 50-cm-long (19.5-inch-long) tail. The common basilisk has a large mouth with saw-like teeth on the inner sides of the jaw. While the common basilisk is most known for its ability to run on water, it is also an excellent climber and swimmer, and has been known to stay underwater for up to half an hour. The average lifespan is seven years in captivity; in the wild, it tends to be less because of predators.

When startled, the common basilisk escapes by speeding to the nearest edge of water—and continues sprinting. The lizard runs on only its hind legs in an upright position, holding its forelegs to its sides. The common basilisk is adroit on water because its feet are large and equipped with flaps of skin along the toes that allow it to catch on tiny air bubbles. When moving quickly, the lizard can cross a surface of water before sinking. On water, it runs at an average speed of 24.1 km/h (15 mph), which is just a little slower than its speed on land. Younger basilisks can run 10 to 20 m (33 to 66 ft) on water, while adults cross only a few meters before sinking. Adults do not move slowly, but they weigh more and cannot sprint for as long a time. Once a basilisk submerges, it continues swimming until it is sufficiently far from its pursuer — if the predator has followed past the bank. Although the common basilisk stays close to water to escape terrestrial predators, it swims only when necessary because some other aquatic animals would eat it given the chance.

30-9-2026 MONTE CORON, VALENCIA - WAVE MOTH (idaea cervantaria)

1.4 to 2.2 cm wingspan. Straw-coloured, with yellowish wings with scattered dark, brown or greyish scales. On each wing it has a wavy line with small pointed spots, pointing backwards. Sometimes these details are barely noticeable. Between these lines and the rear edge, it has dark spots that may have a  light wavy stripe. It has a spot on each wing but those on the front wings may go unnoticed.

There are other similar species that are impossible to distinguish externally, so for a correct and safe identification, genital analysis must be used. Several of them have been found in the province of Malaga, although I. cervantaria is currently the most common and the only one that has been observed in urban environments.

The caterpillars feed on dry leaves of herbaceous plants and in captivity on petals of different Asteraceae and sea alder (Lobularia maritima), the latter common in our province, especially in sunny areas of the limestone mountains, and occasionally used in gardening for the showiness of its inflorescences.

29-9-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - VESTAL MOTH (Rhodometra sacraria)

Rhodometra sacraria, the vestal, is a moth of the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1767 12th edition of Systema Naturae.

It can be found throughout Europe, in the Near East, in North Africa, in the Afrotropical realm and in large parts of Asia. It is also found in South America (Chile and Argentina).

Rhodometra sacraria inhabits meadows, forest clearing, paths, gardens and urban environments.

 Rhodometra sacraria has a wingspan reaching 22–28 mm, while the length of the forewings is 12–14 mm. The late generations are smaller and the wingspan has an average of 16–26 mm. These moths are easily distinguishable from the mahogany or pink stripe, located on yellowish or cream background, crossing diagonally the dorsal sides of the upperwings from the posterior margin up to the apex. Discal spots are usually present and have the same colour as the postmedial line.

The dorsal sides of the hindwings are whitish and unmarked. The fringes on the wings are mostly in the basic colour. The abdomen is pure white. Head and thorax are straw yellow. In males the antennae are bipectinated to three-fourths length. The hind tibiae bear two pairs of spurs.

22-9-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GRASS VENEER MOTH (Ancylolomia disparalis)

Ancylolomia disparalis is a species of snout moth belonging to the family Crambidae. It is found in parts of southwestern Europe (including France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece), Turkey, and North Africa.

The wingspan is 27–43 mm. Adults are on wing from July to October in one generation per year.[4]

The larvae feed on various grasses.

 Key Facts

• Scientific Name: Ancylolomia disparalis

• Family: Crambidae (grass-veneer moths and allies)

• Geographic Range: Southern Europe, Turkey, and North Africa (Morocco, Algeria)

• Wingspan: 27–43 mm

• Flight Period: July to October (one generation per year)

• Host Plants: Larvae feed on various grass species (Poaceae)

21-12-2023 NGALA LODGE, GAMBIA - BEAUTIFUL SUNBIRD (FEMALE) (Cinnyris pulchellus)

The beautiful sunbird (Cinnyris pulchella), formerly placed in the genus Nectarinia, is a sunbird. It is native to tropical Africa, its range extending from Senegal and Guinea in the west to Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Kenya in the east.

Beautiful sunbirds are tiny, only 10 cm (4 in) long, although the breeding male's long tail adds another 5 cm (2 in). They have medium-length thin down-curved bills and brush-tipped tubular tongues, both of which are adaptations to their nectar feeding. The male has a black head, bright metallic green upper parts, scarlet breast bordered with yellow and black belly. The central feathers of the teal are greatly elongated. The female is brown above with yellowish underparts. 

22-12-2023 FARASUTU FOREST, GAMBIA - GRAYISH EAGLE OWL (Bubo cinerascens)

The greyish eagle-owl or vermiculated eagle-owl (Bubo cinerascens) is a rather large owl of the northern part of sub-Saharan Africa. It was previously regarded as the northern subspecies of the spotted eagle-owl (Bubo africanus).

This species is about 43 cm (17 in) long and weighs about 500 g (18 oz).[3] Like the spotted eagle-owl, the greyish eagle-owl has mottled dark brown, buff, and white upperparts and finely barred (vermiculated) underparts giving a greyish-brown appearance. It differs from the spotted eagle-owl in having dark brown (not yellow) eyes and a brownish facial disk marked with a heavy brown circle around each eye. It also has morphological differences, such as being lighter though about the same length and having shorter tarsi.

As the greyish eagle-owl was considered the northern form of the spotted eagle-owl until recently their vocalisations have not been well studied. The call of the male recorded in West Africa consisted of two clear syllables and has been rendered as "koo-whoo" where the "koo" part is rather explosive and the "whoo" is somewhat downward inflected, lower pitched and extended. This call is made every few seconds and is thus not similar to that of the spotted eagle-owl.

It is found in the northern part of sub-Saharan Africa from Mauritania and Liberia east to Sudan and Somalia. Its habitats include dry rocky deserts and open savannah, as well as lowland forests in Somalia.

Roosts during the day are hidden and vary from rocky natural sites such as cliff crevices and boulders to bushes and trees to man-made structures. It feeds on larger insects and other large arthropods as well as vertebrates. It usually hunts from a perch, using a sit-and-wait technique, but may also hawk insects and sometimes bats in flight. The breeding biology is probably similar to the spotted eagle-owl. It lays 2 or 3 eggs in a scrape on the ground or among rocks or in a sheltered cliff site, although it will sometimes reuse the old platform-like nests of larger birds in trees.

It is closely related to the spotted eagle-owl, of which is it sometimes considered the northern subspecies, Bubo africanus cinerascens. In the area of overlap with the spotted eagle-owl in Kenya and the Horn of Africa, the two species are not known to interbreed.

22-12-2023 FARASUTU FOREST, GAMBIA - WESTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER (Curruca iberiae)

This species prefers tall and dense heterogeneous maquis with sparse tree cover in dry Mediterranean areas, particularly maquis of holm oak (Quercus ilex) and those dominated by strawberry tree (Arbutus) and tree-heath (Erica). It is also frequently found in young cork oak (Quercus suber) forest and in dense but treeless bushy areas. It uses bushy formations dominated by brambles (Rubus fruticosus) along sunny ravines and valley bottoms and prefers the intermediate stages of post-wildfire succession. Breeding occurs from late March to late June and the species is monogamous. 

The male constructs several 'cock nests' but both sexes build the breeding nest which is a deep, robust cup of grasses, thin roots and leaves and lined with finer grasses, rootlets and hair. It is placed in low scrub, bush or a small tree, c. 30–130 cm above the ground. Clutches are three to five eggs. The diet is mostly small insects and their larvae but outside of the breeding season berries and fruits are also taken. The species is a long-distance migrant, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. 

26-9-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BLOODY NOSED BEETLE (Timarcha tenebricosa)

The bloody-nosed beetle (Timarcha tenebricosa), also called blood spewer or blood-spewing beetle, is a leaf beetle native to Europe.

T. tenebricosa measures 15–20 mm in length, is blue-black in colour and is both larger and more constricted on the base of its pronotum than the visually similar T. goettingensis (the lesser bloody-nosed beetle). The body is strongly curved, and elytra smooth and finely punctuated. Its antennae are thick and well segmented, its legs have long tarsi and terminate with a double hook.

Timarcha tenebricosa is monophagous; the larvae feed exclusively on bedstraws, especially species with tender leaves (such as Galium verum and Galium mollugo). The adult beetles usually move slowly on the ground, in the grass and herbaceous plants, mainly at night.

As a defensive behaviour, they exude droplets of their bright red-orange hemolymph by breaking thin membranes in their mouth, which is foul-tasting to predators. This phenomenon of reflex bleeding exists in some other insects, such as ladybugs.

Eggs are laid in spring on bedstraw. Larvae may measure up to 20 mm and are blue-black in colour. The pupae overwinter.

The beetle can be found in southern and central Europe, and is common in Britain and Ireland.

24-9-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVE MOTH (Idaea attenuaria)

Idaea attenuaria is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. Also known as the attenuated wave or acidalie atténuée in French, this species was described by Rambur in 1833. It is native to Europe and has a relatively small wingspan, with males around 13-15 mm and females 14-17 mm. 

Key characteristics 

Family: Geometridae

Order: Lepidoptera (Moths and butterflies)

Genus: Idaea

Description: A small-sized moth.

Distribution: Native to Europe.

Flight Period: Typically active from March to June (univoltine).

Scientific Classification 

Authority: (Rambur, 1833)

Synonym: Dosithoea attenuaria

Common names: Acidalie atténuée (French)

25-9-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - LONG LEGGED CHINA MARK MOTH (Dolicharthria punctalis)

Dolicharthria punctalis, the long-legged china-mark, is a species of moth of the family Crambidae. It is the type species of the proposed genus Stenia, which is usually included in Dolicharthria but may be distinct.

It is found mainly in central and southern Europe, but has been recorded further north. The wingspan is 20–25 mm. The moth flies from May to September depending on the location.

The caterpillars feed on Centaurea (knapweeds), Plantago (plantain herb), Trifolium (clovers), Artemisia vulgaris (common wormwood) and even the marine eelgrass Zostera marina. Yet other unusual recorded foods are dry leaves, plant waste, and old roots.

25-9-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SATIN WAVE MOTH (Idaea subsericeata)

Idaea subsericeata, the satin wave, is a moth of the family Geometridae. The species was first described by Adrian Hardy Haworth in 1809. It is found from central and southern Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor to Transcaspia.

The species has a wingspan of 22–25 mm. The adults fly in one generation from June to July 

The ground colour is white with strong silky gloss, the lines grey, seldom strongly expressed, on the other hand usually all present, thus numbering five on the forewing and four on the hindwing; the outermost line (distal shading of subterminal) the oftenest absent; all except the median are parallel with the distal margin, but slightly wavy; the median on the forewing is usually somewhat oblique, but occasionally almost parallel with the others; that of the hindwing runs straighter across the wing, instead of following the curve of the strongly convex distal margin. Cellspots and terminal line wanting or rarely the former present, minute; fringe usually with a series of minute black dots at the base, which are sometimes in part, more rarely entirely obsolete. Forewing beneath often with a smoky suffusion, either basally or all over; median and postmedian lines present, often well developed; a small discal dot present. Hindwing beneath white, with discal dot and postmedian line. Male antennal ciliation little longer than diameter of shaft; hindtarsus short. 

Not on the whole an extremely variable species, except in size; there is, however, a great deal of trivial variation, i.e. as regards the absolute or relative strength of the several lines, the close proximity of the inner subterminal to the postmedian or their wider separation, the degree of suffusion of the under surface, etc. Second-brood specimens, besides being smaller seem to be on an average whiter beneath and are sometimes rounder winged. The oval egg has a depression in the middle of the upper end. The surface has small, flat recesses. It is initially light yellow and later turns bright orange with red spots.The caterpillar is relatively slender, the diameter decreasing a little at the front end. It is whitish grey, grey, grey-brown or brown and shows a slightly reddish dorsum. The surface looks wrinkled and is studded with fine warts. The dorsal line is relatively narrow, dark and is lined with dark dots. The lateral lines are yellowish white. The large head has a notch in the middle of the apex.The pupa is blackish brown to golden brown with greenish wing-sheaths . It is nine millimeters long and measures 2.9 millimeters in diameter. The cremaster is about as long as wide and is studded with four pairs of hook-shaped curved bristles.

25-9-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CURVED HORN MOTH (Symmoca signatella)

Symmoca signatella, commonly known as the Dockland Moth, is a small species of micro-moth belonging to the family Autostichidae. It is noted for its status as an introduced species in several parts of the world outside its native European range.

Physical Characteristics

• Size: It has a wingspan of 12–15 mm, with a forewing length typically between 6–8 mm.

• Appearance: The forewings are ash-gray, adorned with distinct brown or black spots and markings in the discal and post-discal regions. These dark patterns are occasionally accompanied by subtle yellowish or white shading. Its hindwings are uniformly grayish-brown.

Distribution & Habitat

• Native Range: Widely distributed across Western Continental Europe, extending to regions like Italy, Lithuania, Croatia, Greece, and southern Russia.

• North America: Introduced to the United States around 1942 (first discovered in California). It has since spread across the West Coast up to Oregon and has been documented in Eastern states including Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York.

• British Isles: It is classified as an adventive species in the UK. It is infrequently recorded near docks, warehouses, and urban areas (such as London, Leicestershire, and Bedfordshire), typically arriving via accidental imports of European produce.

Diet and Life Cycle

• Larval Food: The larvae are detritophagous, meaning they feed primarily on dried vegetable matter, plant debris, and decaying materials. They are frequently observed feeding on the dry leaves and accumulated stem debris of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), binding the debris together with light silken webbing. They have also been associated with scavenged matter on ornamental plants and trees like Citrus and Cupressaceae.

• Flight Period: Adults are univoltine (producing one generation per year) and fly primarily from June to September, depending on the latitude and climate. They are nocturnal but are only rarely attracted to artificial light sources.

25-9-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVE MOTH (Scopula submutata)

Scopula submutata, commonly known as the Mediterranean lace border, is a species of moth belonging to the Geometridae family. Characterized by its ivory-white to grayish wings adorned with delicate wavy bands and intricate dark speckling, it blends seamlessly into its natural environments. 

Scopula submutata is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found in southern Europe, North Africa and the Near East. The habitat consists of open, dry grassland and rocky slopes.

The wingspan is 20–25 millimetres (0.79–0.98 in). There are two generations per year, with adults on wing from May to October.

The larvae feed on Thymus species and Origanum vulgare.

Habitat & Distribution

The species is widely distributed across Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Near East. It prefers warm, open environments such as:

• Rocky slopes and cliffs

• Dry, open grasslands

• Mediterranean maquis scrublands

Diet & Lifecycle

The caterpillars (larvae) of the Mediterranean lace border feed primarily on aromatic plants within the Lamiaceae (mint) family. Their preferred host plants include:

• Thymus species (Thyme)

• Origanum vulgare (Oregano / Wild Marjoram)

The species overwinters in its larval stage before pupating and emerging as an adult in the late spring.

24-9-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CUTWORM AND DART MOTH (Polymixis dubia)

Polymixis dubia (Duponchel, 1836) is a nocturnal moth belonging to the family Noctuidae and the subfamily Noctuinae. Commonly known in France as La Xyline floue, this species is primarily native to Southwest Europe and North Africa.

Physical Characteristics

• Wingspan: It features an adult wingspan of approximately 37 mm.

• Coloration: The forewings display a marbled pattern of light and dark grey tones, often accented with contrasting whitish or straw-colored patches. Darker grey coloration tends to concentrate heavily across the transverse middle third of the forewings, while the wing margins generally fade into lighter shades.

Lifecycle and Ecology

• Larvae: The caterpillars are polyphagous, meaning they feed on multiple plant species. However, they show a strong ecological preference for rockroses (Cistus).

• Habitat: It is typically found in Mediterranean shrublands, garrigues, and open woodlands where its preferred host plants thrive.

Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Arthropoda

• Class: Insecta

• Order: Lepidoptera

• Superfamily: Noctuoidea

• Family: Noctuidae

• Genus: Polymixis

24-9-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SARDINIAN WARBLER (MALE) (Sylvia melanocephala)

The Sardinian warbler (Curruca melanocephala ) is a common and widespread typical warbler from the Mediterranean region. Like most Curruca species, it has distinct male and female plumages. The adult male has a grey back, whitish underparts, black head, white throat and red eyes. Plumages are somewhat variable even in the same locality, with the intensity of a reddish hue on upper- and/or underside that varies from absent to (in some subspecies) pronounced. The female is mainly brown above and buff below, with a grey head. The Sardinian warbler's song is fast and rattling, and is very characteristic of the Mediterranean areas where this bird breeds.

 It breeds in the southernmost areas of Europe and just into Asia in Turkey and the eastern end of the Mediterranean. This small passerine bird, unlike most "warblers", is not particularly migratory, but some birds winter in north Africa, and it occurs as a vagrant well away from the breeding range, as far as Great Britain.

This is a bird of open country and cultivation, with bushes for nesting. The nest is built in low shrub or brambles, and 3-6 eggs are laid. Like most "warblers", it is insectivorous, but will also take berries and other soft fruit.

Male Sardinian warblers have a strongly contrasting plumage: a black head and upper face, white throat, light grey back and wings, and a paler greyish-white belly. Its tail is dark, edged with white, and it has brownish legs. The eye is reddish-brown, surrounded by a pinkish-orange eye ring.

23-9-2026 BALULE NATURE RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - AFRICAN SAVANNA ELEPHANT (JUVENILE) (Loxodonta Africana) WEBCAM

The African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), also known as the African savanna elephant, is a species of elephant native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of three extant elephant species and, along with the African forest elephant, one of two extant species of African elephant. It is the largest living terrestrial animal, with fully grown bulls reaching an average shoulder height of 3.04–3.36 metres (10.0–11.0 ft) and a body mass of 5.2–6.9 tonnes (5.7–7.6 short tons); the largest recorded specimen had a shoulder height of 3.96 metres (13.0 ft) and an estimated body mass of 10.4 tonnes (11.5 short tons). 

The African bush elephant is characterised by its long prehensile trunk with two finger-like processes; a convex back; large ears which help reduce body heat; and sturdy tusks that are noticeably curved. The skin is grey with scanty hairs, and bending cracks which support thermoregulation by retaining water.