Photo © Mike Wall

Oak Processionary

Thaumetopoea processionea

Checklist Number
71.001 [B&F: 2022]

Verification
Record will require further evidence, at least a good photograph, unless CMR is aware recorder has confidence in identification

Classification

Family:Notodontidae
Subfamily:Thaumetopoeinae
Genus:Thaumetopoea
Species:processionea
Authority:(Linnaeus, 1758)

Rare immigrant from mainland Europe, appearing in southern England. It is expanding its range on the continent and is resident on the Channel Islands, and likely to be reported with increased frequency. While the Moths of Hampshire and Isle of Wight (Goater & Norriss, 2001) states "15 or so records of this species (all males), since the first in 1983" this account must be erroneous as the relevant atlas map shows no dots for the county and there are no reports on the county database from mainland Hampshire before two on consecutive days in mid-2004. On the Isle of Wight, reported for the first time in September 1998. The year 2020 saw a considerable increase in numbers and expansion of range, particularly into the north-east of Hampshire and Isle of Wight, with at least 26 individuals being reported. Wingspan male 31-35 mm, female 36-41 mm. Similar to Pine Processionary T. pityocampa, but has smaller and weaker comma-shaped marking in the centre of the forewing. Larva feeds on Sessile Oak, Pedunculate Oak, Turkey Oak and Evergreen Oak, living gregariously within a silken web.

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)

No Larval records to show.

VC10 Isle of Wight

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Freshwater (SZ38)01/09/1998oneSam Knill-JonesAdult
Freshwater (SZ38)06/09/1998oneSam Knill-JonesAdult
Bonchurch (SZ57)19/08/2006oneJames HalseyAdult
Bonchurch (SZ57)31/07/2020fourJames HalseyAdult
Bonchurch (SZ57)01/08/2020oneJames HalseyAdult
Wheelers Bay (SZ57)09/08/2020oneAndy ButlerAdult
Freshwater Cliffs (SZ38)09/08/2020oneSue DaviesAdult
Bonchurch (SZ57)10/08/2020oneJames HalseyAdult

VC11 South Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Fareham (SU50)11/08/2004oneKeith WheelerAdult
Portchester (SU60)12/08/2004oneJon StokesAdult
Romsey (SU32)25/07/2018oneMike BakerAdult
Northney, Hayling Island (SU70)31/07/2020-John W PhillipsAdult
Southsea (SZ69)31/07/2020oneJ R LangmaidAdult
Milford on Sea (SZ29)31/07/2020oneMary MacmillanAdult
Lovedean (SU61)31/07/2020oneAlan JafkinsAdult
Portsmouth (SU60)01/08/2020oneIan ThirlwellAdult
Southsea (SZ69)01/08/2020oneJ R LangmaidAdult
Southampton (SU41)01/08/2020oneJohn VetterleinAdult
Northney, Hayling Island (SU70)02/08/2020-John W PhillipsAdult
Catisfield (SU50)07/08/2020oneAmy L RobjohnsAdult
Lee (SU31)08/08/2020oneChris ThainAdult
Romsey (SU32)02/09/2021oneNigel R JonesAdult
Romsey (SU32)06/09/2021twoNigel R JonesAdult
Chandlers Ford (SU42)06/09/2021oneBrian ElliottAdult

VC12 North Hampshire

Site Date Quantity Recorder Stage
Farnborough (SU85)30/07/2020oneKeith B WillsAdult
Farnborough (SU85)31/07/2020oneKeith B WillsAdult
Fleet (SU85)06/08/2020oneAbigail GibbsAdult
Farnborough (SU85)06/08/2020twoKeith B WillsAdult
Farnborough (SU85)08/08/2020oneKeith B WillsAdult
Yateley (SU86)08/08/2020oneJosie HewittAdult
Alton (SU73)09/08/2020oneBelinda AhmedAdult
Farnborough (SU85)10/08/2020oneKeith B WillsAdult
Fleet (SU85)10/08/2020fourMike HalseyAdult
Farnborough (SU85)28/08/2021oneMary ThompsonAdult
Whitehill (SU73)28/08/2021oneAndy StockerAdult
Whitehill (SU73)29/07/2022oneAndy StockerAdult
Basingstoke (SU65)29/07/2022oneMike WallAdult
Farnborough (SU85)29/07/2022threeMary ThompsonAdult
Farnham (SU84)30/07/2022-via iNaturalistAdult
Farnborough (SU85)30/07/2022oneKeith B WillsAdult
Blackwater (SU85)30/07/2022twoBen DaleAdult
Whitehill (SU73)31/07/2022oneAndy StockerAdult
Fleet Pond (SU85)01/08/2022sixMike HalseyAdult
Blackwater (SU85)01/08/2022oneBen DaleAdult