2021 Annual Report for: Sphingidae / Smerinthinae
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is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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.
69.001 [B&F: 1979] Lime Hawk-moth Mimas tiliae (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common
Common in broad-leaved woodland, parks and gardens throughout much of southern England, north to Yorkshire. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight fairly common, especially in suburban areas, where the moth is sometimes seen newly emerged on lime trunks, and where the pupa can sometimes be dug from under lime and elm trees. Wingspan 70-80 mm. Unmistakable. Larva feeds on Lime, English Elm, Birch and Alder, over-wintering as a pupa.
Records prior to 2021
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 101 | 78 | 1856 | 2020 |
| 11 | 1289 | 1228 | 1949 | 2020 |
| 12 | 486 | 477 | 1951 | 2020 |
2021 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 11 | 10 | 1 |
| 11 | 32 | 28 | 3 |
| 12 | 25 | 28 | 3 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC10: Wheelers Bay, one, 03 Jun; one, 19 Jul; one, 20 Jul (ABut); Bonchurch, one, 10 Jun; one, 15 Jun; one, 21 Jun; one, 27 Jun; one, 13 Jul (JHa); Rookley, one, 14 Jun (JRB); Osborne Valley Walk, one, 15 Jun (IOut); Bembridge, larva, present, 04 Sep (iNat);
VC11: Broughton Down, one, 12 Jun (MBot); Woodlands, NF, present, 27 Apr (RBW); Totton, one, 09 Jun (LHan); Romsey, one, 02 Jun (MBak); Portswood, Southampton, larva, present, field observation, 06 Sep (iNat); Swaythling, Southampton, one, 20 Jun (MEdg); Southampton, one, 10 Jun; one, 12 Jun (MGP); Sholing, Southampton, larva, one, field observation, 04 Sep (NBur); Barn Piece, Eastleigh, one, 28 May; one, 17 Jun (KArb); Winchester, one, 11 Jun (THW); Colden Common, larva, present, field observation, 10 Aug (iNat); Fareham, one, 09 Jun; one, 15 Jun (MLO); one, male, 10 Jun; one, male, 16 Jun (KJW); Botley, one, 02 Jun; one, 03 Jun; one, 04 Jun (SLB); present, field observation, 24 Aug (iNat); Wickham, one, 14 Jun (JRDS); Gosport, present, field observation, 02 Aug; present, field observation, 02 Aug (iNat); Portsmouth, one, 11 Jun (IRT); West Walk, two, 04 Jun (RJD, MLO, DWal, KJW); Tuckton, Christchurch, larva, one, field observation, squashed on pavement underneath lime tree, 31 Jul (SRW); one, 12 Jun (APar); Christchurch, one, 12 Jun (PHug); Barton on Sea, New Milton, larva, three, field observation, 10 Aug (RPH); Sway, one, 12 Jun (DMui); Southsea, present, field observation, 08 Jun (iNat);
VC12: Over Wallop, one, 28 May (CMap); Charlton Place, Andover, one, field observation, 04 Jun (EPea det. GSD); Goodworth Clatford, one, 01 Jun; Crawley, one, 14 Jun; one, 14 Jun; one, 14 Jun (GCE); Malshanger, Basingstoke, larva, one, field observation, 02 Aug (CLW det. CLW); Beech, one, 13 Jun (NDP); Basingstoke, larva, one, field observation, 13 Aug (AJH); Old Basing, larva, one, field observation, 19 Aug (TPit); Basingstoke, one, 12 Jun; one, 14 Jun (RHil); Pamber Forest, one, 28 May; one, 02 Jun; one, 11 Jun; one, 16 Jun (GJD); Alton, one, 03 Jun (BCA); one, 22 Jun (DBO); Whitehill, one, 09 May; two, 02 Jun; one, 10 Jun (ASto); Hammer Vale, one, 03 Jun (ASwa); Farnborough, one, 14 Jun (MThop); Blackwater, one, 09 Jun; three, 11 Jun (BDal)
69.002 [B&F: 1980] Eyed Hawk-moth Smerinthus ocellata (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common
Common in gardens, orchards, parks, fens, scrub and woodland throughout England and Wales. Widespread and fairly common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 75-95 mm. Larva feeds on most species of Salix and Malus, over-wintering as a pupa.
Records prior to 2021
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 272 | 302 | 1951 | 2020 |
| 11 | 1643 | 1696 | 1951 | 2020 |
| 12 | 452 | 521 | 1951 | 2020 |
2021 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 16 | 18 | 2 |
| 11 | 25 | 25 | 2 |
| 12 | 7 | 8 | 2 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC10: Totland, one, 29 May (RTer); Freshwater, one, 08 Jul; Brook Down, one, 28 Jun (PBar); Cranmore, one, 29 May (CHic); one, 15 Jun (JMar det. JRB); Mottistone Down, one, 28 Jun; Newtown NNR, one, 02 Jul (PBar); Cowes, one, 09 Jun (DNor); Wydcombe, two, 08 Jul (IOut); Godshill, two, to calling female, 12 Jun; one, 14 Jun; one, 16 Jun (CCpr); Shanklin, one, 16 Jun (IOut); Alverstone, one, 06 Jun; one, 01 Jul (DFai); Shanklin Upper Chine, one, 03 Jun (IOut);
VC11: Marchwood, one, 30 May (TDCh); one, 16 Jun; one, 23 Jun (CTha); Woodlands, NF, present, 30 Jun (RBW); Totton, one, 07 Jun; one, 12 Jun; one, 17 Jul; one, 18 Jul (LHan); Nursling, one, field observation, 05 Jun (JClx); Lee, nr Nursling, one, 05 Jun; one, 11 Jun (CTha); Broughton, one, 27 May; one, 13 Jun (GCE); Barn Piece, Eastleigh, one, 27 May (KArb); Allbrook, one, 11 Jun (SIng); Winchester, one, 18 Jun (THW); Fareham, one, 16 Jun (IMcP); Botley, one, 26 Jun (SLB); Shirrell Heath, two, 21 Jun (LEdg); Wickham, one, 08 Jun; one, 11 Jun (JRDS); Thorney Hill, Bransgore, one, 15 Jun (JFen); Milford on Sea, one, 15 Jul (MMcM); Sway, one, 23 Jun (PBar); Pennington, one, 14 Jun (RFC);
VC12: Chilbolton, one, 07 Jul (SLE); Basingstoke, one, 10 Jun (MJW); one, 01 Jun (RHil); Liss, one, 11 Jun (LBen); Whitehill, one, 26 May; one, 10 Jun; two, 11 Jun (ASto)
69.003 [B&F: 1981] Poplar Hawk-moth Laothoe populi (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common
Common in parkland, gardens, fens, woodland, heathland and moorland throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 72-92 mm. Unmistakable. Larva feeds on Aspen, White Poplar, Black Poplar, Goat Willow and Grey Willow, over-wintering as a pupa.
Records prior to 2021
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1070 | 1640 | 1849 | 2020 |
| 11 | 9084 | 12957 | 1951 | 2020 |
| 12 | 2773 | 4540 | 1949 | 2020 |
2021 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 101 | 167 | 8 |
| 11 | 400 | 528 | 6 |
| 12 | 156 | 210 | 7 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Summary
VC10: Earliest: Totland, 27 May, 4 (RTer) Latest: Wootton Bridge, 31 Jul, 1 (DElm) Max count: Osborne Valley Walk, 22 Jul, 8 (IOut)
VC11: Earliest: Ashley Heath, 28 May, 2 (SDut) Latest: Needs Ore NNR, 18 Aug, 1 (CNB) Max count: Ashley Heath, 12 Jun, 6 (SDut)
VC12: Earliest: Over Wallop, 23 Aug, 1 (CMap) Latest: Farnborough, 01 Jul, 1 (KBW) Max count: Burghclere, 17 Jul, 7 (PBlk)