2023 Annual Report for: Choreutidae / Choreutinae
For species seen in 2023 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is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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 2023 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 2023, 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.
48.001 [B&F: 0385] Anthophila fabriciana (Linnaeus, 1767) - Common
Common on waste ground, hedgerows and gardens throughout the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight often abundant during the day, wherever stinging nettles grow. Wingspan 11-15 mm. Day-flying. The main confusion species is Apple Leaf Skeletoniser Choreutis pariana, which is without whitish markings except along costa, while the closely related Prochoreutis are marked with silvery spots (MBGBI Vol 2). Larva feeds on Stinging Nettle, Small Nettle and Pellitory-of-the-wall.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 331 | 1310 | 1971 | 2022 |
| 11 | 837 | 1360 | 1966 | 2022 |
| 12 | 615 | 1969 | 1974 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 14 | 15 | 3 |
| 12 | 7 | 10 | 5 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Marchwood, one, 07 Sep (CTha); Tanners Brook, Southampton, one, field observation, 01 Aug (PPir); Wildern LNR, Hedge End, two, field observation, 01 Oct (TCrw); Highbridge, Eastleigh, present, field observation, 21 Sep (PPir); Hockley Meadows NR, one, field observation, 12 Jun; Twyford, one, in flight, 12 Jun (RJD); Crawley, one, 10 Sep (GCE); Titchfield, three, field observation, 02 May (IHrg); Botley, one, 19 Oct (SLB); Beacon Hill nr Warnford, two, attracted to blossom, 28 Aug (MChg det. RJD); Emsworth, present, field observation, 19 Aug (BFel); Stroud, Petersfield, present, 13 Jun; one, 06 Sep (RAll); Sway, one, field observation, 01 Jun (SKee);
VC12: Leckford Estate, one, 08 Sep; Cole Henley, one, 12 Sep (GCE); North Waltham, one, field observation, 03 Oct (AJon); Ecchinswell, one, field observation, 28 May; five, field observation, 13 Sep (MJN); Noar Hill HIWWT NR, Selborne, present, field observation, 23 Sep; one, netted, 09 Jun (AMD)
48.002 [B&F: 0388] Prochoreutis myllerana (Fabricius, 1794) - Nationally Scarce B
Nationally scarce (Nb) in damp grassland and moorland in parts of Britain, also occurring in Ireland. In Hampshire, has a similar distribution to P. sehestediana, being known from scattered locations, principally the New Forest and Botley Wood. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight since 1931. Wingspan 10-14 mm. Day-flying. Similar to P. sehestediana, but in P. myllerana white spots on forewing on average larger and more rounded; patch of white irroration extends from dorsum at most halfway across wing; no pale fascia beyond postmedian line of silvery spots; termen slightly more curved and apex less acute (MBGBI Vol 2). Larva feeds on Skullcap and Lesser Skullcap.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1 | 0 | 1935 | 1935 |
| 11 | 65 | 120 | 1980 | 2017 |
| 12 | 2 | 1 | 1986 | 2011 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 12 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Portsmouth, one, 07 Jul (IRT);
VC12: Minley Wood, three, field observation, 30 May (BGD); Fleet Pond, one, field observation, 02 Sep (MHals)
48.005 [B&F: 0386] Tebenna micalis (Mann, 1857) - Migrant
Rare immigrant from southern Europe to the south coast of England, in some years appearing in sufficient numbers to breed but apparently not able to establish itself in Britain. In Hampshire first recorded in 2002 at West Park (VC8), but not again until 2014 when a significant influx brought 8 records to both counties, since when there have been further reports and it looks likely to be expected to become an increasingly frequent visitor to our shores. Wingspan 11-14 mm. Distinctively marked, claims from Hampshire and Isle of Wight should be accompanied by photographic or other evidence. Larva mines leaves of Common Fleabane.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 9 | 9 | 2014 | 2022 |
| 11 | 10 | 10 | 2014 | 2022 |
| 12 | 1 | 1 | 2022 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: West End*, one, 01 Oct (AMD)
48.007 [B&F: 0389] Apple Leaf Skeletonizer Choreutis pariana (Clerck, 1759) - Local
Local in orchards, gardens and hedgerows throughout Britain. Most records in Hampshire are from the extreme south-east corner of the county, with very few records from north Hampshire or the Isle of Wight, and the species is possibly overlooked in these vice-counties. Wingspan 11-15 mm. Very variable but easily recognised by its brown colouring, usually with bright red-brown cilia, and absence of silvery markings (MBGBI Vol 2). Day-flying. Larva feeds on the foliage of Apple, Crab Apple and various fruit trees, causing sufficient damage to be a serious pest in some areas.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 12 | 14 | 2000 | 2022 |
| 11 | 189 | 177 | 1974 | 2022 |
| 12 | 11 | 9 | 1986 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: North Baddesley, one, 17 Aug (RWPas); Bournemouth*, one, 07 Jul (WSoa, SMorr)
48.0071 [B&F: 0389a] Choreutis nemorana (Hübner, 1799) - Adventive
Reported as new for Britain when it was reared from a fig tree Ficus carica in Hyde Park, London, July 2014 (de Prins, Ent Rec J Var 126:157). Now expanding in range across the south of England.
In our area, found for the first time on 5th November 2021, when Iain Outlaw found the pupae of this species on Fig (Ficus carica) in the front garden of a now abandoned hotel in Shanklin, in leaves with feeding signs and folded edges. Inside the folds there were tough silk cocoons with an outer layer binding to the leaf and an inner layer containing a pupa. At the end of the inner layer was the final larval skin. One folded leaf showed an exuxium, presumably left when the adult emerged. That cocoon was examined and found to be vacated. Found to be relatively common around the coast of the island in 2022, and further expansion saw the first record for Hampshire in 2023, near Lymington, and a number more in 2024 along the south coast.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 18 | 14 | 2021 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: New Vice-county Record: Lisle Court, Lymington*, larva, present, field observation, on fig in garden - larvae seen within webbing. , 08 Sep (AMus)