Photo © Mark Parsons
Agonopterix atomella
Checklist Number32.012 [B&F: 0703]
Verification
Record will require further evidence, at least a good photograph, unless CMR is aware recorder has confidence in identification
Classification
| Family: | Depressariidae |
| Subfamily: | Depressariinae |
| Genus: | Agonopterix |
| Species: | atomella |
| Authority: | ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) |
Nationally scarce (Na) on rough grassland in southern England, from Dorset eastwards, as far north as Worcestershire and Cambridgeshire; apparently absent from the Midlands, but occurring again from Cheshire northwards to Northumberland; in Wales it has been recorded from Pembrokeshire and Monmouthshire (MBGBI Vol 4 part 1), a Priority Species within the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and listed as a species of principle importance in England in Section 41 of the NERC Act, 2006.
In Hampshire the foodplant of this species is local and the moth is even rarer: it has been recorded in the past from Botley Wood (1990) and Cranmore (1981). However, it was found at Needs Ore in 1985 and a one-day survey in June 2015 found 56 larvae in six locations, and it is likely still to be present. Records were absent from the Isle of Wight since 1969, before it was found to be relatively numerous in the Newtown Common area in 2013 and there have been regular reports since - the geographical proximity of this site with Needs Ore, a stone's throw across the Solent, is probably not a coincidence. Wingspan 18-21 mm. The most likely confusion species is A. scopariella, which see for differences. Larva feeds on Dyer's Greenweed, living within a spun or rolled leaf.
In Hampshire the foodplant of this species is local and the moth is even rarer: it has been recorded in the past from Botley Wood (1990) and Cranmore (1981). However, it was found at Needs Ore in 1985 and a one-day survey in June 2015 found 56 larvae in six locations, and it is likely still to be present. Records were absent from the Isle of Wight since 1969, before it was found to be relatively numerous in the Newtown Common area in 2013 and there have been regular reports since - the geographical proximity of this site with Needs Ore, a stone's throw across the Solent, is probably not a coincidence. Wingspan 18-21 mm. The most likely confusion species is A. scopariella, which see for differences. Larva feeds on Dyer's Greenweed, living within a spun or rolled leaf.
The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:
No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Larval | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
VC10 Isle of Wight
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shalfleet (SZ48) | 1900 | - | W Fassnidge | Adult |
| Cranmore (SZ38) | 1930 | - | J Lobb | Adult |
| Parkhurst Forest (SZ49) | 01/08/1935 | - | S Wakely | Adult |
| Freshwater (SZ38) | 12/07/1951 | - | K G Blair | Adult |
| Gurnard (SZ49) | 1969 | - | S Wakely | Adult |
| Bouldnor (SZ39) | 11/06/1981 | one | J R Langmaid, E C Pelham-Clinton, A M Emmet, D J L Agassiz | Larval |
| Newtown Meadows (SZ49) | 21/06/2013 | - | SDBevan, RJHeckford | Larval |
| Newtown Meadows (SZ49) | 23/06/2013 | - | SDBevan, RJHeckford | Larval |
| Newtown Ranges (SZ49) | 19/05/2014 | - | J R Langmaid, M R Young, D T Biggs | Larval |
| Newtown Meadows (SZ49) | 19/05/2014 | - | J R Langmaid, M R Young, D T Biggs | Larval |
| Newtown Meadows (SZ49) | 05/06/2014 | two | Mark Parsons, Tim Norriss, Paul Davies etc | Larval |
| Jersey Camp (SZ49) | 19/08/2015 | two | Ian Merrifield | Adult |
| Newtown Meadows (SZ49) | 02/07/2021 | two | Phil Barden | Larval |
| Newtown Meadows (SZ49) | 25/07/2023 | one | Tony Davis | Adult |
VC11 South Hampshire
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botley Wood (SU50) | 01/07/1978 | - | J R Langmaid et al | Larval |
| North Solent NNR (SZ49) | 05/06/1985 | - | J R Langmaid, E C Pelham-Clinton, D H Sterling | Larval |
| Botley Wood (SU50) | 02/07/1990 | one | Richard J Dickson | Larval |
| Park Shore, Beaulieu (SZ49) | 28/05/2014 | three | Brian Elliott | Larval spinning |
| North Solent NNR (SZ49) | 10/06/2015 | 14 | Graham Johnstone | Adult |
