2021 Annual Report for: Ypsolophidae / Ypsolophinae

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is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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.

17.001 [B&F: 0451] Ypsolopha mucronella (Scopoli, 1763) - Local

Local in woodland on chalky soils throughout southern England. Fairly widely distributed across Hampshire, wherever the foodplant is found, but decidedly uncommon on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 26-33 mm. The distinctive attenuated resting posture is shared by a few other species of Ypsolopha, and most closely resembles Y. nemorella, which has a distinct dark spot on the forewing. Larva feeds on Spindle, beneath a silken web.

Records prior to 2021

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10111119002020
11736019712020
12738019822020

2021 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11551
12441

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Ashley, one, 26 Jun (GCE); Romsey, one, 23 Feb (NRJ); Stanbrige Earls, one, 20 Mar; one, to lighted window, 21 Mar (JRM); Winchester, one, to a lighted window, 20 Apr (THW);

VC12: Over Wallop, one, 03 Mar (CMap); Alton, one, to lighted window, 09 May; one, 18 May (BCA); Whitehill, one, 27 Apr (ASto)

17.002 [B&F: 0452] Ypsolopha nemorella (Linnaeus, 1758) - Local

Local in woodland throughout the British Isles, except the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland; rare in Ireland (MBGBI Vol 3). In Hampshire and Isle of Wight widespread but usually uncommon in woodland, principally in the south of our region. Wingspan 21-24 mm. Larva feeds on Honeysuckle, beneath a silken web, over-wintering as an egg.

Records prior to 2021

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10181919262019
11806919582020
12121219942018

2021 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10221

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: Parkhurst Forest, one, 03 Aug (IOut); Rew Down, Ventnor, one, 11 Jul (PBar)

17.003 [B&F: 0453] Honeysuckle Moth Ypsolopha dentella (Fabricius, 1775) - Common

Common in woodland, hedgerows and gardens throughout the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight present in small numbers in most ten-kilometre squares. Wingspan 20-22 mm. Unmistakable, with characteristic upturned wingtips. Larva feeds on Honeysuckle, beneath a silken web, over-wintering as an egg.

Records prior to 2021

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10394018562020
1142646719712020
1222628419942020

2021 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10342
1122252
1210144

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: Freshwater Bay, one, 30 Jun; two, 09 Jul; Brook Down, one, 07 Jul (PBar);

VC11: Burley, one, 24 Jul; one, 25 Jul (PBry); Marchwood, one, 19 Aug; one, 25 Aug (CTha); Woodlands, NF, present, 12 Jul (RBW); Ashley, two, 24 Jul (GCE); Romsey, one, 13 Aug; one, 30 Aug (NRJ); Kings Somborne, one, 12 Aug; Winter Down Copse, Little Somborne, one, 11 Aug; one, 19 Jul; two, 01 Sep; one, 01 Sep; one, 11 Aug; two, 11 Aug; two, 01 Sep (GCE); Horndean, one, 28 Jul; one, 28 Jul (PHog); Hurn, one, 06 Aug (MJef); Pennington, one, 14 Jun (RFC); Needs Ore NNR, one, 19 Aug (PCra); one, 18 Aug (CNB);

VC12: Wherwell, one, 30 Aug; Goodworth Clatford, one, 30 Aug; four, 30 Aug; Little Somborne, one, 03 Sep; one, 03 Sep (GCE); Harestock, one, 09 Aug (GRog); Hinton Ampner, two, 12 Aug; one, 30 Aug (ASD); Ecchinswell, one, 11 Aug (MJN); Whitehill, one, 14 Aug (ASto)

17.005 [B&F: 0455] Ypsolopha scabrella (Linnaeus, 1761) - Common

Common in gardens and open woodland throughout England and Wales, but less numerous in the northern uplands. Fairly well distributed, with a southerly bias, in Hampshire, but recorded very infrequently on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 15-21 mm. Distinguished from all other Ypsolophinae by the three sets of raised scale tufts on the dorsal part of the forewing, but even when these have worn away, is still fairly unmistakable. Larva feeds on Hawthorn, Apple and Cotoneaster, beneath a silken web, over-wintering as an egg.

Records prior to 2021

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10202619002020
1128432919712020
1221224419762020

2021 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11661
1215162

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Ashley, one, 20 Aug (GCE); Romsey, one, 26 Aug (NRJ); Ashley, one, 24 Jul; Winter Down Copse, Little Somborne, one, 01 Sep (GCE); Allbrook, one, 04 Aug (SIng); Botley Wood, one, 10 Sep (RJD, MLO, DWal, KJW);

VC12: Goodworth Clatford, one, 11 Aug (JMor); Harestock, one, 28 Jul; one, 07 Aug (GRog); Barton Stacey, two, 02 Sep; one, 24 Sep; one, 02 Sep (GCE); Morn Hill, Winchester, one, 11 Sep (CBey, DAS, PDF); Basingstoke, one, 19 Jul; one, 21 Aug (MJW); Alton, one, 08 Aug (BCA); one, 20 Jul; one, 27 Jul; one, 05 Aug; one, to artificial light, 13 Aug (DBO); Chawton, one, 05 Aug (DAS)

17.006 [B&F: 0456] Ypsolopha horridella (Treitschke, 1835) - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce (Nb) in open woodland and gardens throughout southern England and northern Wales. Barely annual in Hampshire, where recorded widely, but only regular on the coast in the south-east of the county; very rare on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 16-21 mm. Positioning and size of scale tufts on dorsum, and fuscous colouring distinguish Y. horridella from its congeners. Larva feeds on Apple and Blackthorn, beneath a silken web, over-wintering as an egg.

Records prior to 2021

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
105720012020
119719762012
125419982020

2021 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11111
12111

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Broughton, one, 06 Sep (GCE);

VC12: Barton Stacey, one, 02 Sep (GCE)

17.008 [B&F: 0458] Ypsolopha alpella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) - Local

Local in oak woodland throughout much of southern England and southern Wales, north to Yorkshire. Fairly frequent in south Hampshire, but uncommon in north Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 14-18 mm. The main confusion species are Y. lucella, from which Y. alpella can be distinguished by the thorax being concolorous with the base of the forewing, and by the presence of fasciae, although on worn specimens these can be inconspicuous; and Y. sylvella from which Y. alpella can be distinguished by its smaller and less conspicuous fasciae, and by the paler ground colour of its forewing (MBGBI Vol 3). Larva feeds on Oak, beneath a silken web, over-wintering as an egg.

Records prior to 2021

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
107819512020
11867919722019
12202219952020

2021 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1111112
12771

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Woodlands, NF, present, 09 Aug (RBW); Romsey, one, 01 Jul; one, 29 Jul (NRJ); Winter Down Copse, Little Somborne, one, 01 Sep; two, 11 Aug; one, 11 Aug; one, 01 Sep; one, 11 Aug; one, 11 Aug (GCE); Allbrook, one, 11 Aug; one, 07 Sep (SIng);

VC12: Crawley, one, 14 Sep; one, 03 Sep; Little Somborne, one, 03 Sep; one, 03 Sep; Crawley, one, 07 Sep (GCE); Kempshott, one, 15 Aug (GAH); Ecchinswell, one, 07 Sep (MJN)

17.009 [B&F: 0459] Ypsolopha sylvella (Linnaeus, 1767) - Local

Local in oak woodland throughout much of southern England and Wales, with records north to Yorkshire. In Hampshire there is a scattering of records generally away from the chalk and concentrated in the south and south-west of the county. Apart from one, possibly unconfirmed, record from 2013, not seen on the Island since Victorian times. Wingspan 17-19 mm. Similar to Y. alpella, but generally darker with more obvious fasciae (MBGBI Vol 3). Larva feeds on Oak, beneath a silken web, over-wintering as an egg.

Records prior to 2021

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
104118562013
11292719802019
12151719802020

2021 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11331

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Totton, one, 14 Aug (LHan); Allbrook, one, 08 Oct (SIng); Fareham, one, 17 Aug (MLO)

17.010 [B&F: 0460] Ypsolopha parenthesella (Linnaeus, 1761) - Common

Common in woodland throughout much of the British Isles, except the Outer Hebrides and Shetland. Common and widespread in Hampshire, though Isle of Wight records remain sparse. Wingspan 15-19 mm. Unicolorous forms can be distinguished from similar forms of Y. ustella

Records prior to 2021

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
1013926618562020
1122526419712020
1220832819762020

2021 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1012255
119112
12782

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: Parkhurst Forest, one, 03 Aug; Haseley Manor, one, 13 Jul; Shanklin, two, field observation, 11 Aug; two, 13 Aug; three, 07 Sep; one, 08 Sep; two, 16 Sep; four, 25 Sep; five, 06 Oct; two, 09 Oct (IOut); Ryde, one, 12 Oct (IGam); Osborne Valley Walk, one, 26 Aug (IOut);

VC11: Kings Somborne, one, 15 Sep; Winter Down Copse, Little Somborne, one, 11 Aug; one, 01 Sep; two, 01 Sep; one, 07 Oct; one, 07 Oct; one, 01 Sep (GCE); Swaythling, Southampton, one, 19 Aug (MEdg); Wickham, two, to light, 09 Jul (KCok, RJD, MLO, ADT, KJW det. RJD);

VC12: Little Somborne, one, 03 Sep; Crawley, one, 03 Sep; Harewood Forest, one, 21 Jul; Little Somborne, one, 03 Sep; Crawley, one, 03 Sep; one, 14 Sep; Barton Stacey, two, 02 Sep (GCE)

17.011 [B&F: 0461] Ypsolopha ustella (Clerck, 1759) - Common

Common in oak woodland and areas with scattered oaks throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 15-20 mm. Very variable, plain forms can be confused with plain forms of Y. parenthesella. Larva feeds on Oak leaves, beneath a silken web.

Records prior to 2021

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
106710618562020
1152563319712020
128712119742020

2021 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10792
11761
129102

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: Cranmore, one, 18 Jan (CHic); Newtown Meadows, two, field observation, 11 Aug (DCoo); Bonchurch, one, 23 Mar; one, 30 Mar; one, 31 Mar (JHa); Shanklin, two, 20 Jul (IOut); Ryde, one, 18 Oct (IGam);

VC11: Woodlands, NF, present, 13 Jan (RBW); Totton, one, 12 Dec (CNB); Romsey, one, 21 Jul; one, 17 Oct; one, 11 Dec (NRJ); Botley Wood, one, 10 Sep (RJD, MLO, DWal, KJW det. RJD); West Walk, one, field observation, 01 Nov (KJW);

VC12: Goodworth Clatford, one, 21 Jul (GCE); Kempshott, two, 19 Oct (GAH); Whitehill, one, 20 Feb; one, 16 Mar; one, 31 Mar (ASto); Yateley Common, one, at dusk, 16 Jan; one, at dusk, 27 Jan; one, at dusk, 12 Dec; Blackwater, one, 13 Nov (BDal)

17.012 [B&F: 0462] Ypsolopha sequella (Clerck, 1759) - Common

Common in woodland and urban areas, especially where Field Maple is planted, throughout England and Wales. Fairly widely distributed across Hampshire, but usually no more than about a dozen records annually, and decidedly uncommon on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 17-20 mm. Unmistakable. Larva feeds on the foliage of Field Maple, living beneath a silken web.

Records prior to 2021

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10606719262020
1114014219722020
1219623919892020

2021 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10342
1111122
1214162

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC10: Shanklin, one, 07 Sep (IOut); Ryde, one, 12 Oct; two, 13 Oct (IGam);

VC11: Kings Somborne, one, 15 Sep; one, 15 Sep; Broughton, one, 13 Oct (GCE); Chandlers Ford, two, 07 Oct (AMur); Swaythling, Southampton, one, 17 Sep; one, 19 Sep (MEdg); Allbrook, one, 02 Sep; one, 14 Sep; one, 24 Sep (SIng); Fareham, one, 12 Sep (MLO); Hurn, one, 26 Sep (MJef);

VC12: Cholderton, two, 10 Sep (TJN); Andover, one, 14 Aug (GSD); Crawley, one, 03 Sep (GCE); Basingstoke, one, 14 Aug; one, 25 Sep (CWor); Alton, one, 28 Jun; one, 20 Jul; one, 05 Aug; one, 11 Aug; two, 17 Aug (DBO); Hammer Vale, one, 08 Oct (ASwa); Blackwater, one, 21 Jul; one, 25 Aug; one, 24 Sep (BDal)