2023 Annual Report for: Gelechiidae / Anomologinae

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taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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

35.038 [B&F: 0789] Bryotropha domestica (Haworth, 1828) - Common

Common near buildings and around dry-stone walls throughout England, Wales and southern Ireland. Widespread and common in Hampshire. Recorded on the Isle of Wight for the first time since 1893 at Freshwater in 2009. Wingspan 11-14 mm. A light coloured species with slender forewing, contrasting markings and with the first discal above the second plical stigma, extremely pale forms of B. dryadella are distinguished from B. domestica by the much darker hindwing (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). Larva feeds on various mosses, often on walls, living within a silken gallery.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
109718932022
111775279819612022
1253384319962022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
119616812
1223262

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Summary

VC11: Earliest: Hale Purlieu, NF, 29 May, 1 (JPuz) Latest: Romsey, 23 Sep, 1 (MJB) Max count: Stubbington, 10 Aug, 12 (DPH)

VC12: Earliest: Morn Hill, Winchester, 08 Jul, 1 (CRB, PDF, DAS, LHur) Latest: Farnborough, 11 Sep, 1 (KBW) Max count: Alton, 10 Aug, 2 (DBO)

35.040 [B&F: 0787] Bryotropha terrella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) - Common

Common in grassland and mossy areas throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 13-17 mm. A plain brown micro and therefore decidedly overlooked and under-recorded, the main confusion species are B. desertella and B. politella, but these are both extremely rare in Hampshire. Larva feeds on various grasses and mosses, living within a silken tube or tent.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
1026838918562022
111958308919712022
12775138519802022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
111191958
1251908

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Summary

VC10: Earliest: Newtown Meadows, 25 Jul, 1 (AMD) Max count: Newtown Meadows, 25 Jul, 1 (AMD)

VC11: Earliest: Hengistbury Head, 20 May, 1 (MJef) Latest: Botley, 19 Sep, 1 (SLB) Max count: Barton on Sea, 14 Aug, 8 (SKee)

VC12: Earliest: Minley Wood, 30 May, 3 (BGD) Latest: Noar Hill HIWWT NR, Selborne, 11 Aug, 1 (AMD, FHay) Max count: Basingstoke, 27 Jul, 8 (MJW)

35.045 [B&F: 0777] Bryotropha basaltinella (Zeller, 1839) - Nationally Scarce A

Nationally scarce (Na) in urban areas and on old buildings in southern England. First recorded in South Hampshire in 2013, and found on the Hampshire/Surrey border in North Hampshire in 2023. While occasionally reported, records are often unsupported by sufficient evidence to allow acceptance; it is probably under-recorded as very similar to B. dryadella and often only separable by dissection of the genitalia, however shape of fascia is straight or slightly inwards-bent in B. dryadella, but slightly outwards-bent and rarely straight in B. basaltinella (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). Larva feeds on various mosses, living within a silken tube or tent.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
11101120132022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
12353

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC12: New Vice-county Record: Blackwater*, one, gen det. , 09 Aug; one, gen det. , 11 Aug; three, gen det. , 17 Aug (BGD)

35.046 [B&F: 0782] Bryotropha senectella (Zeller, 1839) - Local

Local in urban areas, old buildings and rocky areas throughout the British Isles, except for the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. In Hampshire frequent only in the south-east, and very much less common elsewhere in the county and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 9-13 mm. The brown colour and the dark line running over the vertex of the head distinguish B. senectella from similar looking species, but very dark forms resemble B. similis; in case of doubt, they can be separated by the pale yellow labial palpus and frons of B. senectella (creamy white in B. similis). Larva feeds on various mosses, living within a silken tube or tent.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
104319002021
1110611819742022
12131219872020

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11363
12221

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC11: Hengistbury Head, one, 08 Aug; three, 07 Jul; two, 07 Jul (MJef det. PHS);

VC12: Fleet Pond, one, 10 Aug (MHals); Blackwater, one, gen det. , 09 Aug (BGD)

35.047 [B&F: 0779] Bryotropha affinis (Haworth, 1828) - Common

Common around old buildings and in urban areas throughout southern Britain, very local elsewhere. In Hampshire widely distributed, but not particularly common. Recorded on the Isle of Wight for the first time at Freshwater in 2010. Wingspan 9-12 mm. Main confusion species is B. similis, but B. affinis usually has small pale yellow patch adjacent to streak in centre of forewing. Larva feeds on various mosses, especially those growing on old walls, living within a silken gallery.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
1010015520102022
111832308719732022
12815196119932022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
111031485
1238485

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Summary

VC11: Earliest: Southsea, 11 May, 1 (JGdr) Latest: Winchester, 16 Sep, 4 (THW) Max count: Romsey, 09 Jun, 5 (MJB)

VC12: Earliest: Whitehill, 24 May, 1 (ASto) Latest: Fleet Pond, 09 Sep, 1 (MHals) Max count: North Waltham, 11 Aug, 5 (AJon)

35.050 [B&F: 0752] Aristotelia ericinella (Zeller, 1839) - Local

Local on heathland throughout England and Wales. In Hampshire fairly common on the heaths of the New Forest and the north-east, but very local elsewhere. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight since 1975. Wingspan 12-13 mm. Flies in afternoon, and occasionally comes to light. One of the more distinctive gelechiids, unlikely to be confused with any other species. Larva feeds on Heather, living between shoots spun together with silk, and over-wintering as an egg.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10111619382020
1117685419732022
12384419762022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1141615
125114

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Ocknell Plain, NF, present, swept, several, 16 Aug; Pig Bush, NF, present, at dusk, 20 Aug; Hill Top, NF, 15, netted, 20 Aug (AMD); Hurn, one, 18 Aug (MJef);

VC12: Shortheath Common, one, field observation, 13 Aug; three, field observation, 21 Aug (DAS); Castle Bottom NNR, one, field observation, 26 Aug (AMD); Fleet Pond, four, field observation, 03 Aug; two, 22 Aug (MHals)

35.053 [B&F: 0729] Isophrictis striatella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce (Nb) on waste ground, roadside verges, gardens, damp grassland and fens in Britain, from Devon to Norfolk, with isolated populations in north Wales, northern England and Aberdeenshire. In Hampshire the majority of records come from around Southsea, Portsmouth and Fareham, with only one single record from north Hampshire; the species is perhaps overlooked away from the south-east corner of vice-county 11. Reported new for the Isle of Wight in 2022. Wingspan 11-13 mm. Outwardly oblique white streak from costa at four-fifths to middle of termen, extending into cilia; two or three white specks on costa between streak and apex; distinct circular discal spot (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). Larva feeds within seedheads of Tansy and Sneezewort, over-wintering in a silken chamber.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
101120222022
118510319742022
121119991999

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11111

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Portsmouth, one, 19 Jul (IRT)

35.056 [B&F: 0724] Metzneria lappella (Linnaeus, 1758) - Local

Local in waste ground, gardens, open woodland and downland throughout England and north Wales; rare in Scotland. Widespread and common in Hampshire, except for the New Forest, and in the western half of the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 16-20 mm. The main confusion species is M. metzneriella, which differs in the much darker general appearance, especially in apical and terminal areas. Larva feeds within the seedheads of Greater and Lesser Burdock, over-wintering in a cocoon.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10343819002022
1118924319802022
1212524519972022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11562
12551

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Marchwood*, one, 20 Jun (CTha); Romsey, one, 09 Jul (NRJ); Portsmouth, two, 16 Jun; one, 24 Jun (IRT); Pennington, one, 07 Jul (RFC);

VC12: Morn Hill, Winchester, one, 08 Jul (CRB, PDF, DAS, LHur); North Waltham, one, 07 Jul; one, 27 Jul (AJon); Fleet Pond, one, netted, 24 Jun (MHals); Blackwater, one, 27 Jun (BGD)

35.058 [B&F: 0726] Metzneria metzneriella (Stainton, 1851) - Common

Common on grassland, downland, waste ground and roadside verges throughout the British Isles, north to Inverness-shire. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight fairly widespread and common. Wingspan 14-19 mm. The main confusion species is M. lappella, which differs in the much lighter general appearance, especially in the apical and terminal areas. Larva feeds within seedheads of Common Knapweed and Saw-wort, over-wintering in a cocoon.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10445319002022
1119421719742022
1213320619712022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11661
1210122

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Chandler's Ford, one, 27 Jun (KArb); Portsmouth, one, 22 Jun (IRT); Hurn, one, 09 Jun; one, 11 Jun; one, 17 Jun; Hengistbury Head, one, 13 Jun (MJef);

VC12: Barton Stacey, one, 09 Jul (GCE); Morn Hill, Winchester, one, 10 Jun (CRB, DAS, PDF et al); one, 10 Jun (CRB, PDF, DAS, LHur); two, 24 Jun (CRB, PDF, DAS); one, 28 Jul (CRB, PDF, DAS, LHur); Overton, one, 09 Jun; one, 05 Sep; one, 08 Sep (ACr); Tidgrove Warren, nr Overton*, one, 07 Jul (MJW, ACB); Noar Hill HIWWT NR, Selborne, two, 1f gen. det., 09 Jun (AMD, FHay det. AMD)

35.060 [B&F: 0730] Apodia martinii Petry, 1911 - Local

Local in damp meadows, open downland and saltmarshes throughout much of England and Wales. In Hampshire mainly confined to the south-east, very rare elsewhere in the county and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 9-12 mm. Flies in late afternoon. Characterised by a ferruginous-orange streak at tornus and outwardly oblique streak beyond on costa, often connected by scales of similar colour forming a Z-shaped fascia (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2), but these markings are sometimes obscure, in which case identification is possible only by dissection of the genitalia. Larva feeds within seedheads of Common Fleabane, Ploughman's-spikenard and Sea Aster.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10306618932020
1113737519732022
124410419842022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11111

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Northney, one, field observation, gen. det., 12 Aug (AMD)

35.061 [B&F: 0748] Ptocheuusa paupella (Zeller, 1847) - Local

Local in damp grassland, ditches, woodland rides and saltmarshes throughout much of southern England, southern Wales and southern Ireland. In Hampshire still reasonably common in the south-east of the county, but it has become scarce in recent years in north Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 10-12 mm. Comes readily to light, and is fairly distinctive. Larva feeds within seedheads of Common Fleabane and Golden-samphire, over-wintering as a pupa.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10415118472022
1134245419732022
1281519892013

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1115152

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: Newtown Meadows, larva, two, field observation, 25 Jul (AMD);

VC11: Marchwood, one, 08 Aug (TDCh); Needs Ore NNR, one, 01 Jul (PCra); one, 23 Jul (CNB); Dibden Purlieu, NF, one, 23 Aug (RAC); Highbridge, Eastleigh, one, 19 Aug (SIng, PPir); Botley Wood, one, 04 Aug (AMD); one, field observation, 18 Jun; Stubbington, one, 23 Aug (DPH); Portsmouth, one, 12 Jun (IRT); Waterlooville, one, 21 Aug (DWhe); Hayling Island, larva, present, 15 Jul (SGib); Hayling Billy, larva, two, field observation, in Common Fleabane flowerheads, 15 Jul (AMD); Sway, one, 19 Aug (SKee); Needs Ore NNR, one, 10 Jun; one, 16 Aug (CNB)

35.064 [B&F: 0734] Argolamprotes micella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce, in hedgerows, open woodland and gardens, in Devon and Cornwall, and also Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire and Glamorgan; unknown in the British Isles until 1963 when one was taken at light at Ide, near Exeter, Devon (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). In Hampshire, recorded for the first time at Winchester on 14 July 1987; subsequently the 21st century has produced a scattering of records across the county. The first record for the Isle of Wight was in 2019. Wingspan 10-14mm. Larva feeds within buds and young shoots of Bramble and Raspberry.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
102220192021
115519872017
122220102016

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11111
12111

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC11: Chandler's Ford, one, 27 Jun (KArb);

VC12: Great Haughurst Copse, Axmansford*, one, 24 Jun (ACB)

35.065 [B&F: 0728] Monochroa cytisella (Curtis, 1837) - Local

Local in woodland and on heathland and hillsides throughout much of England, Wales and southern Ireland. In Hampshire widely distributed in the south of the county, notably in the New Forest and in and around Wickham Common; more thinly distributed in the north, where known from Harewood, Pamber and Woolmer Forests; one from the Isle of Wight in 2013 was the first for 80 years. Wingspan 10-12 mm. Larva feeds within stems of Bracken.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
107618452021
117510919742022
12285119762022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11792
12221

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Needs Ore NNR, one, 02 Jul (CNB); one, 02 Jul (PCra); two, 23 Jul (CNB); two, 23 Jul (PCra); Botley Wood, one, 28 Jul; one, 28 Jul (F.M.G. det. RJD);

VC12: Silchester Common, one, 07 Jul (WLan); Shortheath Common, Oakhanger, one, netted, 06 Jul (AMD)

35.070 [B&F: 0742] Monochroa lutulentella (Zeller, 1839) - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce (Nb) in fens, marshes and on river-banks in England south and east of a line from Devon to Herefordshire and The Wash; also in Derbyshire, Monmouthshire and on the Burren. In Hampshire recorded just once, at Lower Breach Copse, West Park, in July 2002. Recorded on the Isle of Wight for the first time at Cranmore SSSI on 31 May 2011. Wingspan 14-16 mm. One of several similar, rather nondescript gelechiids, which can only be reliably identified by dissection of the genitalia. Larva feeds within roots of Meadowsweet.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
1011020112011

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11111

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC11: New Vice-county Record: Hengistbury Head*, one, 12 Jun (MJef det. AMD)

35.071 [B&F: 0736] Monochroa lucidella (Stephens, 1834) - Local

Local in marshes, water meadows, fens and by river-banks throughout much of England, Wales and southern Ireland. In Hampshire the main population is centred in the south-east of the county in and around Fareham, Southsea, Botley Wood and along the west side of Langstone Harbour; in the north of the county, recorded recently only from the Deadwater Valley, formerly known from Alice Holt and Itchen Abbas. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 12-14 mm. Larva feeds within stems of Common Spike-rush.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
101120182018
11395219852022
128819622022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11331
12263

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC11: Ringwood*, one, field observation, 06 Dec (LTho); Romsey*, one, gen det. , 12 Jun; one, 26 Jun (NRJ);

VC12: Fleet Pond, three, 27 Jun; three, 07 Jul (MHals)

35.073 [B&F: 0737] Monochroa palustrellus (Douglas, 1850) - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce (Nb) in waste ground, dry pastures and sand-dunes, south-east of a line from Somerset to Norfolk (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). In Hampshire the main population is found in the south of the county, notably at Southsea, Funtley and Lower Test Marshes, where first confirmed for Hampshire in 1992; there is one record from the north of the county, at Bramley Frith Wood in 1999, and a few from the Isle of Wight, after the first at Cranmore in 1997. Wingspan 15-19 mm. Larva feeds within roots and lower stems of Curled Dock and Dock, over-wintering as an egg or small larva.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10162319972022
11697019922022
121119991999

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11551

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC11: Fareham, one, 23 Jul (MLO); Portchester, one, 03 Sep (DH-J); Horsea Island, one, 04 Aug (F.M.G.); Portsmouth, one, 15 Jun; one, 26 Jun (IRT)

35.080 [B&F: 0732] Oxypteryx unicolorella (Duponchel, [1843]) - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce (Nb) in waste ground and dry open areas throughout much of southern England and Wales, rare elsewhere. In south Hampshire, the population is mainly centred around Botley Wood with outlying records from Queen Elizabeth Country Park and St Catherine's Hill HWT reserve, while in the north of the county, there are records from Micheldever Wood, Wildhern and Abbotstone Down. Reported new for the Isle of Wight in 2022. Wingspan 10-13 mm. Can be separated with care from Monochroa tenebrella, in which segment 3 of the labial palpus is shorter than segment 2, and, in the female, the apical third of the antenna is white. Larva feeds within stems of Perforate St John's-wort.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
101120222022
11769419742022
125319712011

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11331
12211

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC11: Botley Wood, one, male gen det. , 09 Jun; Horsea Island, one, 19 May (F.M.G. det. RJD); Beacon Hill nr Warnford, one, vacuum sampling, 19 Jun (MChg det. RJD);

VC12: Noar Hill HIWWT NR, Selborne*, present, several, 1m gen. det., 09 Jun (AMD, FHay det. AMD); Fleet Pond*, one, 10 Jun (MHals)

35.081 [B&F: 0731] Oxypteryx atrella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) - Local

Local on downland, rough ground, dry pastures and in woodland clearings throughout much of England and Wales; rare in Ireland. In Hampshire widespread and common; on the Isle of Wight, first recorded at Cranmore in July 2001. Wingspan 11-13 mm. The most likely confusion species is E. immaculatella, which differs in having a dark fuscous (ochreous in E. atrella) labial palpus, but often reliably separated only by dissection of the genitalia. Larva feeds within stems of Perforate St John's-wort and Hairy St John's-wort, over-wintering in a case made from leaf fragments.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
106519772016
11818619772022
12588319712022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11551
12232

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC11: Romsey, one, 07 Jul (NRJ); Winter Down Copse, Little Somborne, one, 31 Jul (GCE); Needs Ore NNR, one, 23 Jul (CNB); Crawley*, one, 20 Aug (GCE); Needs Ore NNR*, one, 23 Jul (PCra);

VC12: Stockbridge Down, one, 08 Jul (MEdg); Noar Hill HIWWT NR, Selborne, two, gen. det., 11 Aug (AMD, FHay det. AMD)

35.082 [B&F: 0731a] Oxypteryx immaculatella (Douglas, 1850) - pRDB3

Rare (proposed as a future Red Data Book species) in a wide range of habitats, including sea cliffs, damp meadows, limestone pavements and grassland; widely but thinly distributed in scattered localities in the north and south of Britain. In Hampshire recorded for the first time at Horsea Island on 21 July 2006, where it was again seen in 2013. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 8-13 mm. Main confusion species are E. atrella and Aproaerema anthyllidella, from which difficult to separate on external characteristics. Larva feeds within stems of Slender St John's-wort.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
11132220062022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11221

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC11: Horsea Island, one, male gen det. , 04 Aug; one, male. , 04 Aug (F.M.G. det. RJD)