For species seen in 2021 that had less than or equal to 100 records, full details are included; for more common species, the earliest, latest and highest count by vice-county are shown. The narrative for each species is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species. The tables in each species account summarise the previous status, and that for the current year.
For the maps, all records prior to 2021 are shown by a blue dot (the larger the dot, the more recent), with the current year's records shown in red. As previous records are superimposed on any report for 2021, new sites have greater emphasis (i.e. will show as 'more red').
In the species accounts, an asterisk next to a location indicates a new 10km square record; earliest ever dates are highlighted in orange, and latest ever in red. Initials in the species accounts refer to the recorders listed here. Please get in touch if you identify any omissions or errors, in particular if you have records that have yet to be submitted. Details of how to submit records can be found here.
Local in gardens throughout much of Greater London and southern England, with records north to Lancashire. An adventive species, naturalised through accidental introduction in conifers from mainland Europe, now fully naturalised. In Hampshire first recorded in the county in 1998 in the north-east, from where it now appears to be spreading. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 8-9 mm. Larva mines leaves and shoots of Juniper, Leyland Cypress, Lawson's Cypress, and other cultivated conifers.
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 4 | 4 | 2013 | 2019 |
11 | 297 | 429 | 2005 | 2020 |
12 | 160 | 367 | 1998 | 2020 |
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
---|---|---|---|
10 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
11 | 16 | 19 | 2 |
12 | 17 | 21 | 3 |
VC10: Totland Bay, one, field observation, 30 May (DCoo);
VC11: Totton, one, 08 May; one, 17 May; one, field observation, 24 May; two, 27 May; two, 28 May; one, 29 May; one, 01 Jun; two, 06 Jun; one, 13 Jun; one, 15 Jun; one, 16 Jul (LHan); Romsey, one, 03 Jun (NRJ); Barn Piece, Eastleigh, one, 12 Jun (KArb); Priddys Hard Nature Reserve, Gosport, one, 30 May (KIls); Tuckton, Christchurch, one, 28 May (APar); Southsea, one, 27 May (JRL det. IRT);
VC12: Basingstoke, two, 02 Jun; two, 16 Jun (GAH); one, 02 Jun; one, 06 Jun (MJW); one, 31 May; one, 07 Jun (JEH); one, 14 Jun (RHil); Alton, one, 01 Jun (DBO); Whitehill, one, 19 May; one, 31 May; one, 01 Jun; one, 02 Jun; one, 11 Jun (ASto); Blackwater, one, 28 May; one, 05 Jun; one, 09 Jun (BDal); Farnborough, three, 02 Jun (KBW)
Nationally scarce (Nb) in downland, open woodland and gardens throughout much of the British Isles; rare in northern Britain and Ireland. In Hampshire recorded from amongst Juniper at Farley Mount and in the Stockbridge area, and also from gardens in Southsea and Basingstoke, where it could be associated with either Juniper or Cypress. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 7-9 mm. Larva mines shoots of Juniper, Leyland Cypress and Lawson's Cypress.
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
---|---|---|---|---|
11 | 15 | 12 | 1980 | 2012 |
12 | 6 | 3 | 1985 | 2007 |
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
---|---|---|---|
12 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
VC12: Cholderton, one, 02 Jul (TJN, LFom, HEdm)
Local in gardens throughout East Anglia, and northern and western England. An adventive species, recorded nationally for the first time in 1997 in Suffolk, the Cypress Tip Moth is now fully naturalised following its accidental introduction on coniferous trees. Has been recorded increasingly in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 8-9 mm. Larva mines young shoots of Juniper, Leyland Cypress and Lawson's Cypress.
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 47 | 58 | 2008 | 2020 |
11 | 518 | 1168 | 2002 | 2020 |
12 | 17 | 23 | 2010 | 2020 |
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
---|---|---|---|
10 | 11 | 15 | 4 |
11 | 24 | 50 | 15 |
12 | 4 | 7 | 3 |
VC10: Totland, one, 23 Jun (RTer); Freshwater, four, 15 Jun; one, 20 Jun; one, 26 Jun (DCoo); Rew Down, Ventnor, one, 13 Jul (PBar); Bonchurch, one, 07 Jun; one, 11 Jun; two, 15 Jun; one, 21 Jun (JHa); one, 12 Jul (PBar); Pan, one, field observation, found on a small pine tree at the edge of Asda car park at SZ 50631 88458, 19 Jun (IOut);
VC11: Marchwood, one, 16 Jun (CTha); Woodlands, NF, present, 02 Jun (RBW); Totton, one, 08 Jun; one, 09 Jun; two, 11 Jun; one, 18 Jun; one, 30 Jun (LHan); Romsey, one, 23 Jun; one, 04 Jul (NRJ); Southampton, one, 12 Jun (MGP); Barn Piece, Eastleigh, one, 05 Jun; one, 12 Jun (KArb); Fareham, two, 15 Jun; one, 30 Jun (MLO); Portsmouth, two, 02 Jun; three, 05 Jun; five, 11 Jun; two, 12 Jun; one, 15 Jun (IRT); Tuckton, Christchurch, one, 12 Jun; four, 14 Jun; one, 24 Jun (APar); Milford on Sea, one, 06 Jun (MMcM); Southsea, 15, 07 Jun (JRL det. IRT);
VC12: Blackwater, one, 05 Jun; two, 09 Jun; one, 11 Jun; three, 14 Jun (BDal)
A rarely encountered insect associated with orchards, and also on isolated wild apple trees, in England and Wales, as far north as Northumberland (MBGBI Vol 3). In Hampshire apparently formerly fairly widespread, but in recent years has only been reported sporadically. First recorded on the Isle of Wight at Newtown in 2011. Wingspan 10-12 mm.
Interestingly, the specific name ivella was coined as Haworth saw the Roman numerals 'IV' in the wing markings.
Despite what is quoted in most literature, the caterpillar of this species still seems to be largely unknown and like many species, references are handed down based on dubious sources: in MoGBI, the larva is said to feed on apple and hazel, but it appears that this is not based on primary information. Friese (1973: 733) urged his lepidopterologist colleagues: "Collectors should pay particular attention to this...rarely found species; further observations to clarify the biology would be very desirable. As with A. retinella, care must be taken to ensure that "The plant on which the butterflies are found does not have to be identical to the food plant for the caterpillars." A request that remains unchanged half a century later.
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 2 | 2 | 2011 | 2011 |
11 | 17 | 18 | 1900 | 2015 |
12 | 11 | 7 | 1960 | 2020 |
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
---|---|---|---|
12 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
VC12: Great Haughurst Copse, Axmansford*, one, 20 Aug (ACB)
Common in open, especially birch, woodland and freshwater margins throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 10-12 mm. Variable, but only the scarce unicolorous form problematic, being similar to the unicolorous form of A. goedartella, but a deeper, darker colour than A. goedartella. Flies in afternoon sunshine and at night. Larva mines young shoots and catkins of Silver and Downy Birch, and Alder.
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 52 | 84 | 1997 | 2020 |
11 | 747 | 1033 | 1972 | 2020 |
12 | 239 | 449 | 1974 | 2020 |
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
---|---|---|---|
10 | 13 | 17 | 2 |
11 | 35 | 46 | 5 |
12 | 7 | 8 | 2 |
VC10: Totland, one, 25 Jul (RTer); Freshwater, two, 20 Jun (DCoo); Mottistone Down, two, 07 Jul (PBar); Haseley Manor, one, 13 Jul; one, 19 Jul; Shanklin, one, 02 Jul; two, 18 Jul; one, 04 Aug; two, 20 Aug; Shanklin Upper Chine, one, 18 Jul; one, 21 Jul; Osborne Valley Walk, one, 26 Aug (IOut); Briddlesford, one, to light, 25 Aug (JRB);
VC11: Ashley Heath, two, 16 Jul (SDut); Sandleheath, one, 08 Jul (Unknown); Marchwood, one, 05 Aug (CTha); Woodlands, NF, present, 18 Jul (RBW); Ashurst, two, 01 Jul (RFC); Totton, two, 01 Aug (LHan); Romsey, one, 20 Jun; one, 26 Jun; one, 27 Jun; one, 01 Jul; one, 02 Jul; one, 04 Jul (NRJ); Kings Somborne, one, 09 Jun; Winter Down Copse, Little Somborne, one, 19 Jul (GCE); Valley Park, Chandlers Ford, one, 19 Jul; one, 21 Jul; one, 30 Jul (KArb); Botley Wood, one, 30 Jul (RJD, DWal, KJW); four, 13 Aug (MLO, ADT, DWal, KJW); Fareham, one, 01 Jul (ADT); one, 14 Jul; one, 18 Jul; one, 26 Aug; one, 01 Sep (MLO); Wickham, one, 07 Jul; two, 18 Jul; one, 19 Jul; one, 21 Jul (JRDS); West Walk, five, 23 Jul; West Meon, three, 02 Jul (RJD, MLO, ADT, DWal, KJW); Merritown Heath, present, 10 Jun (DFoo); Hurn, one, 27 Jun; one, 19 Jul (MJef); Pennington, one, 15 Jul; one, 19 Jul (RFC);
VC12: Cholderton, two, 02 Jul (TJN, LFom, HEdm); Anna Valley, Andover, one, 11 Aug (TJN, LFom); Axmansford, one, 02 Jun (ACB); Great Haughurst Copse, Axmansford, one, 08 Jul (ACB, GJD); Blackwater, one, 14 Jun; one, 13 Jul (BDal)
Common in open woodland, heathland, gardens and freshwater margins throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire but apparently rarer on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 10-12 mm. Generally a fairly distinctive species, but variable, with plain forms difficult to distinguish from plain forms of A. brockeella, which see. Larva mines young shoots and catkins of Silver and Downy Birch, and Alder.
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 54 | 86 | 1977 | 2020 |
11 | 1352 | 2793 | 1969 | 2020 |
12 | 581 | 1734 | 1975 | 2020 |
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
---|---|---|---|
10 | 10 | 13 | 2 |
11 | 100 | 165 | 7 |
12 | 53 | 106 | 17 |
VC10: Earliest: Totland, 22 Jul, 1 (RTer) Latest: Freshwater, 29 Aug, 1 (DCoo) Max count: Freshwater, 04 Aug, 2 (DCoo)
VC11: Earliest: Marchwood, 12 Jul, 1 (CTha) Latest: Pennington, 06 Sep, 1 (RFC) Max count: Burton, nr Christchurch, 17 Aug, 7 (JStw)
VC12: Earliest: Goodworth Clatford, 08 Aug, 1 (JMor) Latest: Farnborough, 07 Sep, 1 (KBW) Max count: Blackwater, 20 Aug, 17 (BDal)
Local in gardens and orchards throughout England and Wales, extending to Perthshire and the Western Isles in Scotland (MBGBI Vol 3). In Hampshire rather uncommon, given its reputation as a pest in orchards, but perhaps under-recorded: the first records for the Isle of Wight since 1925 were reported in 2022. Wingspan 10-12 mm. Similar to A. sorbiella, from which it is distinguished by its smaller size and the colour of the markings which are almost greyish brown on a clear white ground colour (MBGBI Vol 3). Larva mines buds and shoots of Apple, causing sufficient damage to be a serious pest in some areas, over-wintering as an egg.
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
---|---|---|---|---|
11 | 29 | 86 | 1936 | 2018 |
12 | 19 | 17 | 1980 | 2020 |
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
---|---|---|---|
11 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
12 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
VC11: Fareham, one, 16 Jun (IMcP);
VC12: Great Haughurst Copse, Axmansford, one, 10 Jun (ACB det. ); Minley Wood, two, beaten, 21 Jun (BDal)
Common in open woodland throughout the British Isles. Reasonably common in Hampshire, but rarely record on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 9-10 mm. Flies in afternoon sunshine and at night. Characterised by white forewing, irregularly strigulate dark brown; a diffuse brownish streak from base to disc beneath subcostal vein; a large diffuse dark brown spot in disc; a diffuse terminal streak; apical dot blackish brown (MBGBI Vol 3). Larva mines the shoots and catkins of Birch.
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 1 | 1 | 1978 | 1978 |
11 | 169 | 385 | 1972 | 2020 |
12 | 79 | 122 | 1974 | 2020 |
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
---|---|---|---|
11 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
12 | 6 | 7 | 2 |
VC11: Romsey, one, field observation, 26 Jun; one, 04 Jul (NRJ); Swaythling, Southampton, one, 19 Aug (MEdg); West Meon, one, 02 Jul (RJD, MLO, ADT, DWal, KJW);
VC12: Great Haughurst Copse, Axmansford, one, 08 Jul (ACB, GJD); Pamber Forest, one, 16 Jun; two, 24 Jun; one, 05 Jul (GJD); Farnborough, one, 18 Jul (KBW)
Local in open woodland, especially of oak, throughout Britain and southern Ireland. Fairly widespread in southern Hampshire and perhaps under-recorded in northern Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 8-10 mm. The larval workings more easily found than the adult, which closely resembles A. spinosella, and which can often only be reliably separated by dissection of genitalia, although A. glaucinella is slightly smaller and has different habitat requirements. Larva mines bark of Oak.
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 2 | 1 | 1973 | 2005 |
11 | 78 | 45 | 1966 | 2019 |
12 | 18 | 6 | 1988 | 2018 |
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
---|---|---|---|
10 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
11 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
12 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
VC10: Totland, one, 23 Jul; one, 24 Jul; one, 27 Jul (RTer);
VC11: Romsey, one, 27 Jun (NRJ); West Walk, one, 23 Jul (RJD, MLO, ADT, DWal, KJW);
VC12: Basingstoke, one, 16 Jun (GAH); one, 22 Jul (MJW); Whitehill, one, 21 Jul (ASto)
Common in hedgerows throughout much of the British Isles, except for the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. In Hampshire most frequent in the south-east of the county, with scattered records elsewhere and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 9-11 mm. The main confusion species are Apple Fruit Moth A. conjugella and A. semifusca, which see. Larva mines buds and shoots of Blackthorn, over-wintering as an egg.
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 28 | 33 | 1900 | 2020 |
11 | 234 | 240 | 1973 | 2020 |
12 | 42 | 47 | 1996 | 2020 |
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
---|---|---|---|
10 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
11 | 9 | 9 | 2 |
12 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
VC10: Totland, one, 21 Jun; one, 31 Aug (RTer); Freshwater, one, orange tegulae, 27 Jun (PBar);
VC11: Totton, one, 09 Jun (LHan); Romsey, one, 06 Jun (MBak); Swaythling, Southampton, one, 18 Jun (MEdg); Allbrook, one, 09 Jun (SIng); Winchester, one, 11 Jun (THW); Portsmouth, one, 09 Jun; two, 16 Jun (IRT); Merritown Heath, present, 10 Jun (DFoo); Tuckton, Christchurch, one, 12 Jun (APar);
VC12: Cholderton, one, 02 Jul (TJN, LFom, HEdm); Pamber Forest, one, 11 Jun; one, 24 Jun (GJD)
Common in orchards and woodland throughout the British Isles, more numerous in the north. Rather uncommon in Hampshire. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 10-14 mm. Day-flying, but may come to light. Similar species include A. spinosella, from which A. conjugella is distinguished by the ochreous tinge of its ground colour, slightly larger size and later flight time; and A. semifusca from which A. conjugella is distinguished by its more marbled markings and ochreous ground colour. Larva mines fruit and berries of Apple and Rowan, causing sufficient damage to be a serious pest in some area, and over-wintering as a pupa in a cocoon.
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 9 | 16 | 2017 | 2020 |
11 | 39 | 47 | 1985 | 2020 |
12 | 29 | 31 | 1997 | 2020 |
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
---|---|---|---|
10 | 5 | 9 | 3 |
11 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
VC10: Shanklin, three, 16 Jun; one, 07 Jul; one, 14 Jul; two, 18 Jul; two, 20 Jul (IOut);
VC11: Marchwood, one, 17 Jul (CTha); Merritown Heath, present, 28 May (DFoo)
Common in open woodland and hedgerows throughout the British Isles, less numerous in the south. In Hampshire it has perhaps been under-recorded in the past, but not uncommon in the north-east of the county. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 10-13 mm. Main confusion species are Apple Fruit Moth A. conjugella, which is generally more ochreous and marbled, and A. spinosella, from which A. semifusca distinguished only with certainty by dissection of the genitalia. Larva mines shoots of Rowan and, in the south of Britain, predominately Hawthorn.
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 3 | 3 | 1900 | 2018 |
11 | 61 | 56 | 1972 | 2020 |
12 | 44 | 64 | 1990 | 2019 |
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
---|---|---|---|
11 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
12 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
VC11: Marchwood, one, 04 Sep (CTha);
VC12: Pamber Forest, one, 02 Jun; one, 16 Jun (GJD)
Common in gardens, woodland and orchards throughout the British Isles. Fairly well distributed in Hampshire, but recorded very infrequently on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 10-12 mm. The main confusion species is A. bonnetella, which see for differences. Larva mines shoots and fruits of Cherry, including wild, ornamental and cultivated varieties, causing sufficient damage to be a serious pest in some areas, and over-wintering as an egg or small larva.
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 11 | 8 | 1900 | 2019 |
11 | 218 | 238 | 1974 | 2020 |
12 | 82 | 93 | 1981 | 2020 |
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
---|---|---|---|
10 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
11 | 12 | 11 | 1 |
12 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
VC10: Freshwater, one, 07 Jul (DCoo);
VC11: Woodlands, NF, present, 18 Jul (RBW); Totton, one, 26 Jun; one, 17 Jul; one, 21 Jul; one, 22 Aug (LHan); Allbrook, one, 21 Jul; one, 22 Jul (SIng); Fareham, one, 05 Jun; one, 13 Jun; one, 14 Jun (MLO); Tuckton, Christchurch, one, 08 Jul; one, 04 Aug (APar);
VC12: Cholderton, one, 02 Jul (TJN, LFom, HEdm); Pamber Forest, one, 28 Jun (GJD); Blackwater, one, 14 Aug (BDal)
Common wherever the foodplant occurs, in hedgerows, gardens, downland and scrub throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 9-11 mm. The main confusion species is Cherry Fruit Moth A. pruniella — both species show a pale dorsal streak, but differ in the angle made by the prominent brown fascia — in both species the fascia starts from mid-way along the dorsum, but the angle between the fascia and the dorsum is about 45° in A. pruniella and 30° in A. bonnetella. Larva mines bark of Hawthorn.
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 21 | 51 | 1900 | 2020 |
11 | 191 | 334 | 1932 | 2020 |
12 | 80 | 113 | 1960 | 2020 |
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
---|---|---|---|
11 | 7 | 7 | 1 |
12 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
VC11: Crab Wood, Winchester, one, field observation, 15 Sep (DAS); Allbrook, one, 30 Jun; one, 17 Jul; one, 18 Jul (SIng); Fareham, one, 15 Jul (MLO); Burton, nr Christchurch, one, 09 Jul (JStw);
VC12: Harestock, one, 12 Aug (GRog); Basingstoke, one, 11 Aug (MJW)
Common in hedgerows and scrub throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 9-11 mm. Occurs in two forms, a unicolorous form, which is similar to the unicolorous form of Apple Fruit Moth A. conjugella, but with head white in A. albistria, and the nominate form, which is similar to A. semifusca, but smaller and brighter. Larva mines flowering shoots of Blackthorn, over-wintering as a small larva.
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 55 | 95 | 1900 | 2020 |
11 | 224 | 226 | 1973 | 2020 |
12 | 50 | 52 | 1967 | 2020 |
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
---|---|---|---|
10 | 4 | 15 | 12 |
11 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
12 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
VC10: Headon Warren & Undercliff, one, field observation, 26 Jun; Newtown NNR, one, field observation, 23 Aug; Newtown Meadows, 12, field observation, 11 Aug (DCoo); Parkhurst Forest, one, 13 Jul (TJN, IMer, LFom);
VC11: Marchwood, one, 17 Aug (CTha); Totton, one, 11 Aug (LHan); Romsey, one, 30 Aug (NRJ); Fareham, one, 11 Aug; one, 14 Aug (MLO); Pennington, one, 13 Aug (RFC);
VC12: Cholderton, one, 02 Jul (TJN, LFom, HEdm); Anna Valley, Andover, one, 11 Aug; one, 14 Aug (TJN, LFom); Little Somborne, one, 12 Jul (GCE)
Local in deciduous woodland throughout the British Isles. Fairly widely distributed, but decidedly uncommon, in southern Hampshire, with the very few records in north Hampshire and Isle of Wight. Wingspan 11-14 mm. Usually recognisable by its large size and occurrence late in the year (MBGBI Vol 3), also the white dorsal streak is not interrupted mid-way, as is the case with A. albistria. Larva mines shoots of Beech.
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 3 | 0 | 1926 | 1977 |
11 | 29 | 29 | 1923 | 2018 |
12 | 8 | 12 | 1959 | 2014 |
Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
---|---|---|---|
10 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
VC10: Parkhurst Forest, one, 13 Jul (TJN, IMer, LFom)