Photo © Dave Green
Heart Moth
Dicycla oo
Checklist Number73.218 [B&F: 2315]
Verification
Record will require further evidence, at least a good photograph, unless CMR is aware recorder has confidence in identification
A rare Red Data Book species, in oak woodland in parts of southern England, a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Extremely erratic in its appearance, occurring commonly in one of its haunts for a few years, then declining to a very low ebb. Nationally only seen in numbers in parts of Surrey (particularly the central southern Surrey commons around Leatherhead, and in the extreme north-west) although it does survive in low density in a few other counties of southern England. In Hampshire the only recent records are of two in Pamber Forest in July 1993 and of one in Mortimer West End in July 1997. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 32-38 mm. Characterised by heart-shaped reniform stigmata. Larva feeds on Pedunculate Oak, over-wintering as an egg.
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)
VC11 South Hampshire
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollands Wood, NF (SU30) | 1871 | - | A B Farn | Adult |
| Clay Hill, Burley, NF (SU30) | 1871 | - | Unknown | Adult |
| Hollands Wood, NF (SU30) | 1871 | - | Unknown | Adult |
| NF (SU30) | 1928 | - | Anon | - |
| Bursledon (SU40) | 17/07/1969 | one | Ian Watkinson | Adult |
| Bursledon (SU40) | 17/07/1969 | one | I A Watkinson | Adult |
VC12 North Hampshire
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pamber Forest and Silchester Common SSSI (SU66) | 1800 | - | Anon | - |
| Hawley (SU85) | 26/06/1948 | two | A W Richards | Adult |
| Pamber Forest (SU66) | 24/07/1948 | - | Brian R Baker | Adult |
| Pamber Forest (SU66) | 05/07/1952 | - | Brian R Baker | Adult |
| Whitehill (SU73) | 1955 | one | D Wright | Adult |
| Micheldever (SU54) | 27/06/1960 | one | CH Dixon | Adult |
| Little London (SU65) | 23/07/1977 | one | GS Vick | Adult |
| Ashford Hill Woods and Meadows (SU56) | 1979 | - | NCC files, Newbury | - |
| Wheathold (SU56) | 1981 | two | Pete Brough | Adult |
| Wheathold (SU56) | 30/06/1981 | one | Peter Brough | Adult |
| Wheathold (SU56) | 05/07/1981 | one | Peter Brough | Adult |
| Wellington CP (SU76) | 1982 | one | D Young | Adult |
| Wellington CP (SU76) | 1986 | three | B Baker | Adult |
| Pamber Forest (SU66) | 01/07/1993 | - | Graham Dennis | Adult |
| Pamber Forest (SU66) | 17/07/1993 | - | Graham Dennis | Adult |
VC22 West Berkshire (Hants county)
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mortimer West End (SU66) | 01/07/1997 | one | Graham Dennis | Adult |
