2023 Annual Report for: Crambidae / Acentropinae
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is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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.
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 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 62 | 56 | 1856 | 2022 |
| 11 | 1284 | 1699 | 1951 | 2022 |
| 12 | 247 | 389 | 1951 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 41 | 48 | 4 |
| 12 | 12 | 47 | 20 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Blashford Lakes HIWWT NR, one, 10 Jun; one, 22 Jul; one, 10 Aug (PWhtk); two, 16 Aug (JMed); four, 23 Aug; four, 02 Sep (PWhtk); one, field observation, 06 Jul (IHrg); Fordingbridge, one, 07 Sep (SCT); Marchwood, one, 16 Sep (CTha); Copythorne, one, 01 Sep (JAda); Paultons Park, Romsey, present, field observation, 30 Aug (iNat); North Baddesley, one, 09 Jun; one, 12 Jun (RWPas); Woodley, one, 13 Jun (NBin); Romsey, one, 15 Jun; one, 05 Sep (MJB); Dibden Purlieu, NF, one, 03 Sep (RAC); Swaythling, Southampton, one, 15 Aug (MEdg); Chandler's Ford, one, 15 Jun; one, 17 Jun (KArb); Allbrook, one, 06 Sep (SIng); Titchfield Haven NNR, one, 19 Aug; Botley Wood, one, 09 Jun (F.M.G. det. RJD); Fareham, one, 12 Aug (ADT); one, 26 Jun (MLO); Wickham, one, 21 Jun; one, 05 Sep (JRDS); Lovedean, one, 04 Sep (ARJa); Muscliffe, one, 24 Jun; one, 27 Jun (KingB); Hengistbury Head, one, 16 Aug (MJef); one, field observation, 08 Jul (RPH); one, 26 Jun; one, 28 Jun; one, 20 Jul; one, 25 Jul; one, 22 Aug; two, 03 Sep; one, 23 May (MJef); Hengistbury Head NNR, one, field observation, 29 Aug (SaDav); Pennington, one, 06 Sep (RFC);
VC12: Basingstoke, one, 10 Jun; three, 12 Jun; one, 15 Jun; Sherborne St John, one, 16 Jun (MJW); Empshott, one, 10 Aug (CJP); Broxhead Common, one, field observation, 22 Jun (KBW); Hammer Vale, Woolmer, one, 10 Aug (ASwa); Ancells Farm HWT reserve, six, field observation, 05 Jun; eight, field observation, 08 Jun (MHals); Wyndham's Pool, Yateley Common, two, field observation, 08 Sep (JChea); Fleet Pond, two, 07 Jul (MHals); Hartland CP, Rushmoor, 20, field observation, 27 May (MThmp)
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 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 137 | 1288 | 1975 | 2022 |
| 11 | 2372 | 27084 | 1951 | 2022 |
| 12 | 952 | 21256 | 1951 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 73 | 220 | 91 |
| 12 | 57 | 1458 | 1000 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Summary
VC11: Earliest: Ogden's Purlieu, NF, 17 Jun, 0 (AMD) Latest: Needs Ore NNR, 01 Jul, 1 (CNB) Max count: Sway, 25 Jun, 91 (SKee)
VC12: Earliest: Anna Valley, Andover, 19 Aug, 1 (TJN) Latest: Farnborough, 07 Sep, 1 (KBW) Max count: Fleet Pond, 17 Jun, 1000 (MHals)
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 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 115 | 258 | 1856 | 2022 |
| 11 | 576 | 921 | 1951 | 2022 |
| 12 | 128 | 194 | 1951 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 44 | 53 | 3 |
| 12 | 14 | 17 | 4 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Blashford Lakes HIWWT NR, one, 08 Jul; one, 22 Jul; three, 12 Aug; one, 23 Aug (PWhtk); Hale Purlieu, NF, one, field observation, 22 May; two, field observation, 01 Jun; three, field observation, 02 Jun; one, field observation, 03 Jun; two, field observation, 09 Jun; two, field observation, 19 Jul; three, field observation, 24 Jul (JPuz); Broughton*, one, 11 Jul (GCE); Marchwood, one, 27 Jul; one, 23 Aug (CTha); Cromarty Pond area, Lord's Hill, one, field observation, on Pond vegetation. , 22 Aug (JClx); Romsey, one, 07 Sep (MJB); Swaythling, Southampton, one, 07 Jul (MEdg); Wildern LNR, Hedge End, one, field observation, 16 Jun (TCrw); Titchfield Haven NNR, one, 19 Aug (F.M.G.); Stubbington, one, 10 Aug (DPH); Fareham, one, 20 Aug; one, 16 Sep (MLO); one, 18 Aug (KJW); Botley, one, 07 Jun (SLB); Portchester, one, 18 Jul; one, 20 Jul (CEH, JGS); Portsmouth, one, 27 Jul (IRT); Waterlooville, one, 18 Jul (DWhe); Meonstoke, present, field observation, 07 Aug (iNat); Lovedean, one, 23 Jul; one, 29 Jul; one, 03 Sep (ARJa); Langstone, one, 27 Aug (RPic); Muscliffe, one, 08 Aug; one, 09 Aug; one, 22 Aug (KingB); Hengistbury Head, one, 12 Jun; one, 16 Aug (MJef); Burton, nr Christchurch, one, 08 Aug (JStw); Sway, one, 12 Aug; one, 05 Sep; one, 07 Sep (SKee); Pennington, one, 07 Sep (RFC); Browndown, two, 01 Sep (F.M.G.);
VC12: Chilbolton, one, 23 Jun (GCE); Bransbury Common*, one, field observation, 17 Jun (DAS); Morn Hill, Winchester, one, 02 Sep (CRB, PDF, DAS); Cheriton, one, field observation, 06 Sep (DAS); Great Haughurst Copse, Axmansford*, one, 16 Sep (ACB); Basingstoke, one, 19 Jul (MJW); Oakridge, Basingstoke, one, 24 Aug (IFS); Blacknest, Binstead*, one, field observation, 15 May (SWom det. APot); Ludshott Common, one, 11 Jul (KBW, HthRT det. KBW); Hammer Vale, Woolmer, one, 11 Jun (ASwa); Fleet Pond, four, 10 Aug (MHals); Blackwater, one, 11 Jul (BGD); Farnborough, one, 11 Jun; one, 07 Jul (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 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 69 | 90 | 1856 | 2022 |
| 11 | 903 | 1219 | 1951 | 2022 |
| 12 | 351 | 473 | 1951 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 135 | 173 | 8 |
| 12 | 39 | 52 | 5 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Summary
VC11: Earliest: Blashford Lakes HIWWT NR, 27 May, 1 (PWhtk) Latest: Needs Ore NNR, 10 Jun, 1 (CNB) Max count: Lisle Court, Lymington, 08 Sep, 8 (AMus, JPMar)
VC12: Earliest: Leckford Estate, 08 Sep, 1 (GCE) Latest: Farnborough, 27 Jul, 2 (KBW) Max count: Blackwater, 11 Jun, 5 (BGD)
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 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 6 | 3 | 1856 | 2016 |
| 11 | 285 | 324 | 1951 | 2022 |
| 12 | 35 | 41 | 1951 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 22 | 25 | 2 |
| 12 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Brockwood, one, 07 Jul (SDut); Fordingbridge, one, 11 Aug (SCT); Marchwood, one, 17 Jun (TDCh); Winter Down Copse, Little Somborne, one, 31 Jul (GCE); Muscliffe, one, 21 Jun; one, 24 Jun; two, 26 Jun; one, 28 Jun; one, 27 Jul; one, 15 Aug; one, 16 Aug (KingB); Hurn, one, 17 Jun; one, 19 Jun; two, 13 Jul; one, 21 Jul; one, 28 Jul; one, 18 Aug; one, 03 Sep; Hengistbury Head, one, 20 Jun; two, 22 Aug (MJef); Pennington, one, 07 Jul; one, 08 Sep (RFC);
VC12: Blackwater, one, 16 Aug (BGD)