2020 Annual Report for: Crambidae / Acentropinae

For species seen in 2020 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is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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 2020 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 2020, 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.

63.114 [B&F: 1345] Brown China-mark Elophila nymphaeata (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common

Common in ponds and ditches throughout the British Isles. In Hampshire locally common in New Forest bogs and in ponds and canals across the county, with occasional wanderers elsewhere in the county and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 25-33 mm. The main confusion species is Beautiful China-mark Nymphula stagnata, but Brown China-mark is larger, with broader, browner wings. Larva feeds on aquatic plants such as Water-lily, Bur-reed and Pondweed Potamogeton, living entirely underwater.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10554918562018
111199159419512019
1221034319512019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1128383
12782

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Rockford Common, one, field observation, 26 Jun (MCur); Pig Bush, NF, one, 17 Jul (CL); Woodlands, New Forest, present, 25 Jun (RBW); Totton, one, 02 Jun (LH); Timsbury, one, 11 Aug (TRa); Romsey, one, 11 Aug (MB); two, 26 May; one, 28 May; one, to actinic, 29 May; one, 08 Jun; three, 20 Jun; two, to actinic, 23 Jun; three, 16 Jul (NRJ); Dibden Purlieu, one, to actinic, 25 Jun (RAC); Catisfield, one, 13 Jul (ALR); Fareham, one, to actinic, 09 Aug (MLO); Botley, one, to actinic, 15 Aug (SLB); Wickham, one, 10 Aug (JRDS); West Walk, one, attracted to blossom, ♂, netted from Angelica blossom, 14 Aug (KJW); Lovedean, one, 11 Aug; one, 13 Aug (ARJ); West Meon, one, 31 Jul (F.M.G. det. RJD); Stroud, Petersfield, one, to actinic, 10 Aug (RAll); Sway, one, 16 Jul (S&SL); one, 31 May (SKe); Milford on Sea, one, 10 Aug (MMcM); Roydon Woods HWT Reserve, one, field observation, 26 Aug (CBoy); Norleywood, NF, present, 09 Aug (RBW, MWa);

VC12: Matley Bog, NF, one, field observation, 06 Aug (DKel); Warren Hill, Liss Forest, one, 27 Jun; one, 25 Jul; one, 08 Aug; two, 15 Aug (RJM); Alton, one, 20 Aug (EFig); Whitehill, one, to actinic, 25 Jun (ASto); Woolmer Forest, one, 26 Jun (DMurr)

63.115 [B&F: 1331] Water Veneer Acentria ephemerella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) - Common

Common in ponds, lakes and slow rivers throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire and, to a lesser extent, on the Isle of Wight, locally abundant in suitable habitat throughout. Wingspan male 13-17 mm, female wingless. Only the distinctive male is likely to be encountered and on certain nights it undergoes massive dispersal flights when it appears at light far from water and often in vast numbers (1000+ not unknown). Larva feeds on Canadian Waterweed and Pondweed, living entirely underwater.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
109345719752019
1120382600619512019
128021932619512019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
105506500
116820120
1216398150

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Summary

VC10: Earliest: Shanklin, 24 Jun, 2 (IOu) Latest: Shanklin, 14 Aug, 1 (IOu) Max count: Haseley Manor, 11 Aug, 500 (IOu)

VC11: Earliest: Allbrook, 26 May, 1 (SI) Latest: Winchester, 18 Sep, 1 (THW) Max count: Burton, nr Christchurch, 14 Aug, 20 (JSw)

VC12: Earliest: Cheriton, 26 May, 1 (DAS) Latest: Yateley, 08 Sep, 1 (JHH) Max count: Farnborough, 10 Aug, 150 (KBW)

63.116 [B&F: 1354] Small China-mark Cataclysta lemnata (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common

Common around ponds and reed-beds throughout the British Isles. In Hampshire locally common in suitable habitat, especially along the coast between Southampton and Gosport, and in north-east Hampshire; apparent increases in recent years may be due to increased observer coverage, but it remains very rare on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan male 18-19 mm, female 22-24 mm. Females nocturnal, males fly in the afternoon. Unmistakable. Larva feeds on Common Duckweed, Bulrush and Unbranched Bur-reed, living mostly underwater.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
108721318562019
1147478919512019
1210116519512019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10431
1117267
12232

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC10: Freshwater Cliffs, one, 16 Jul (SDa); Cranmore, present, to actinic, 09 Aug (CHic); Shanklin, one, 09 Aug; one, 23 Aug (IOu);

VC11: Woodlands, New Forest, present, 24 Jun (RBW); Totton, one, 21 Jul (LH); Romsey, one, 30 Jul (MB); Southampton, one, to UV, 28 Jul (JVet); one, 22 Jul (MEdg); Titchfield Haven NNR, seven, one ♂, 17 Jul (F.M.G. det. RJD); Catisfield, one, 23 Jun (ALR); Fareham, one, 28 May (ADT); one, 16 Sep (IMcP); one, to actinic, 15 Sep (MLO); one, 06 Aug (KJW); Wickham, four, ♂s, 07 Aug (F.M.G. det. RJD); Lovedean, one, 30 Jul (ARJ); West Meon, two, ♂s, 31 Jul (F.M.G.); Burton, nr Christchurch, one, 29 Jul; one, 31 Jul (JSw); Sway, one, 16 Jul (S&SL); Pennington, one, 23 Jul; one, 14 Sep (RFC);

VC12: Monk Sherborne, present, 11 Aug (iNat); Hammer Vale, Woolmer, two, 01 Aug (ASw); Farnborough, one, 10 Aug (KBW)

63.117 [B&F: 1348] Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common

Common in ponds, canals and other aquatic habitats throughout England. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight evidently far less frequent than formerly. Wingspan male 22-24 mm, female 28-30 mm. Distinguished from other related species by the white, dark-rimmed discal spot, present in both sexes [Goater]. Larva feeds on various pondweeds and water plants, living entirely underwater.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10424518562019
1162783019512019
1227437719512019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10221
11557610
1211111

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC10: Freshwater Cliffs, one, 09 Aug (SDa); Bonchurch, one, 30 May (JHa);

VC11: Brockwood, one, 27 May; one, 19 Jun (SDut); Ringwood, present, field observation, 31 May (iNat); Hale Purlieu, one, to actinic, 13 Aug (MCu); Pig Bush, NF, one, 18 Jul (CL); Woodlands, New Forest, present, 13 Jun (RBW); Totton, one, 26 May; two, 02 Jun; one, 09 Jun; one, 23 Jun; one, 10 Aug (LH); Lee, one, 18 Jul (CTh); Broughton, one, to actinic, 06 Aug; one, to actinic, 06 Aug (GCE); Dibden Purlieu, one, to actinic, 30 Jun; one, to actinic, 01 Jul; one, to actinic, 02 Jul; one, to actinic, 03 Jul; one, to actinic, 27 Jul; one, to actinic, 07 Aug; one, to actinic, 17 Aug (RAC); Southampton, one, 23 Jul (MEdg); one, to actinic, 06 Aug (MGP); Allbrook, one, 21 May; two, to actinic, 25 Jun; one, 07 Jul; one, 24 Jul; one, 08 Aug (SI); Titchfield Haven NNR, 10, possibly all ♀s, 17 Jul (F.M.G.); Catisfield, one, 15 Jun (ALR); Fareham, one, ♂, 25 Jun (ADT); one, to actinic, 12 Jul; one, to actinic, 15 Jul; two, to actinic, 16 Jul; two, to actinic, 17 Jul; one, to actinic, 10 Aug; two, to actinic, 11 Aug (MLO); one, ♀, 17 Jun; one, ♀ , 07 Jul; one, ♂ , 08 Jul; one, ♂, 15 Jul; one, ♀, 24 Jul; one, 25 Jul; one, ♀, 26 Jul (KJW); Botley, one, to actinic, 09 Jul; two, to actinic, 14 Jul; two, to actinic, 17 Jul; one, to actinic, 27 Jul; one, to actinic, 10 Jul; one, to actinic, 14 Jul; three, to actinic, 16 Jul (SLB); Lovedean, one, 09 Jul (ARJ); Tuckton, Bournemouth, one, to actinic, 13 Aug (APar); Burton, nr Christchurch, two, 07 Aug; two, 11 Aug; one, 14 Aug (JSw); Milford on Sea, three, 10 Aug; one, 17 Aug (MMcM);

VC12: Cholderton, three, 17 Jul (TJN, HE); Chilbolton, one, to actinic, 19 Sep (SLE det. GCE); Anna Valley, Andover, one, 25 Jun (TJN); Barton Stacey, one, to actinic, 11 Aug; one, to actinic, 11 Aug; one, to actinic, 11 Aug; one, to actinic, 11 Aug (GCE); Cheriton, one, to actinic, 31 Jul (DAS); Overton, one, 08 Aug (MSi); Axmansford, one, 23 Jul; one, ♀, 13 Jul (ACB det. GJD); Pamber Forest, one, 07 Aug (GJD); Castle Bottom NNR, one, 16 Aug; Yateley, one, 07 Aug (JHH)

63.118 [B&F: 1350] Beautiful China-mark Nymphula nitidulata (Hufnagel, 1767) - Local

Local in ponds throughout much of Britain. In Hampshire widespread in the south, but in the northern half of the county, largely restricted to the north-east. Recorded on the Isle of Wight for the first time since 1952 at Freshwater in 2000. Wingspan 20-25 mm. Smaller and whiter than Brown China-mark Elophila nymphaeata; lightly marked specimens could be mistaken for male Ringed China-mark Parapoynx stratiotata, but in that species the forewing discal spot is a closed circle [Goater]. Larva feeds on Branched Bur-reed, Unbranched Bur-reed, Yellow Water-lily and other water plants, living entirely underwater.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
106318562016
1123526719512019
12323819512019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
118102

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC11: Brockwood, one, 12 Sep (SDut); Culverley, NF, one, 19 Jul (CL); Lee, two, 18 Jul (CTh); Romsey, one, 18 Jul (MB); Kings Somborne, one, to actinic, 31 Jul (GCE); Dibden Purlieu, two, to actinic, 24 Jul; one, 20 Aug (RAC); Botley, one, to actinic, 13 Aug (SLB)