2023 Annual Report for: Gelechiidae / Dichomeridinae
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is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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.
35.022 [B&F: 0862] Juniper Webber Dichomeris marginella (Fabricius, 1781) - Local
Local on chalk and limestone downland, and, on cultivated forms of the foodplant, in gardens throughout much of England; also in South Wales and on the Burren. In Hampshire most likely to be encountered in the south-east and the extreme north-east of the county, and largely absent from the New Forest and much of north Hampshire. On the Isle of Wight, known only from Freshwater, where first recorded in 1989, and again in 1995 and 1996. Wingspan 15-17 mm. Unmistakable. Larva feeds within needles of Juniper, subsequently living within a silken web.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 4 | 3 | 1985 | 1996 |
| 11 | 314 | 393 | 1975 | 2022 |
| 12 | 24 | 26 | 1980 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 9 | 10 | 2 |
| 12 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Swaythling, Southampton, one, 20 Jun; one, 01 Jul (MEdg); Allbrook, one, 10 Jun; one, 17 Jul (SIng); Fareham, one, 25 Jun; one, 27 Jun (ADT); two, 21 Jun (IMcP); one, 10 Jun (MLO); Waterlooville, one, 27 Jul (DWhe);
VC12: Windmill Hill, Chalton, one, 24 Jun (CJP)
35.025 [B&F: 0851] Dichomeris alacella (Zeller, 1839) - Nationally Scarce B
A local species in a wide range of habitats throughout south-eastern England, north to Yorkshire and west to Herefordshire. In Hampshire historically known from only a handful of sites, mainly in the south of the county, most notably near Ashurst in the New Forest; and not recorded in north Hampshire until 2005. Since then, the species has seemingly undergone a range expansion and is widespread in scattered localities. Wingspan 13-14 mm. A relatively distinctive insect which when fresh should be identifiable without recourse to collection: the patterning of the scale tufts, and pale costal spots at 3/4 are diagnostic. Larva feeds on lichens growing on tree trunks and wooden fences.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 2 | 2 | 2015 | 2022 |
| 11 | 68 | 76 | 1897 | 2022 |
| 12 | 21 | 33 | 2005 | 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: Romsey, one, 09 Jul (NRJ); Hengistbury Head, one, 23 Jul (MJef)
35.026 [B&F: 0855] Acompsia cinerella (Clerck, 1759) - Local
Local in a wide range of habitats throughout the British Isles, with the exception of the Northern Isles. In Hampshire recorded less than annually from scattered locations, mainly in the north of the county. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 16-19 mm. An unmarked, wholly ochreous-brown gelechiid, superficially similar to Helcystogramma rufescens, but lacking this species pale veins. Larva feeds on various mosses, often at the base of trees.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 2 | 2 | 2010 | 2017 |
| 11 | 22 | 24 | 1962 | 2021 |
| 12 | 33 | 35 | 1971 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC12: Cholderton*, one, 29 Jul (TJN); Noar Hill HIWWT NR, Selborne*, one, 11 Aug (AMD, FHay det. AMD)
35.027 [B&F: 0861] Acompsia schmidtiellus (Heyden, 1848) - Nationally Scarce B
Nationally scarce (Nb) on chalk and limestone downland and roadside verges in southern England and south Wales. Restricted in Hampshire to sites such as Old Winchester, Portsdown and Magdalen Hill Down, and on Isle of Wight to a single site near Ventnor; claims from other areas of the county should be accompanied by photographic or other evidence. Wingspan 15-17 mm. Larva feeds on Wild Marjoram, living within a spun or rolled leaf.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 6 | 7 | 1900 | 2014 |
| 11 | 23 | 23 | 1988 | 2021 |
| 12 | 9 | 10 | 1996 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC12: Magdalen Hill Down NR, one, gen. det., 07 Aug (AMD); Morn Hill, Winchester, one, 28 Jul (CRB, PDF, DAS, LHur); one, 11 Aug (CRB, DAS); Noar Hill HIWWT NR, Selborne*, one, 11 Aug (AMD, FHay det. AMD)
35.028 [B&F: 0866] Brachmia blandella (Fabricius, 1798) - Common
Common in grassland and woodland throughout much of England and southern Wales. In Hampshire a widespread and often common species, but so far recorded only between Freshwater and Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 9-12 mm. Larva feeds on Gorse.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 90 | 150 | 1974 | 2022 |
| 11 | 682 | 1271 | 1973 | 2022 |
| 12 | 197 | 297 | 1977 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 28 | 39 | 6 |
| 12 | 15 | 25 | 6 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Marchwood, one, 20 Jun; one, 08 Jul; Lee, one, 17 Jun (CTha); Romsey, one, 09 Jul (NRJ); Needs Ore NNR, two, 02 Jul (CNB); two, 02 Jul (PCra); one, 23 Jul (CNB); two, 23 Jul (PCra); Dibden Purlieu, NF, one, 19 Jun (RAC); Allbrook, one, 18 Jul (SIng); Funtley, one, 24 Jun (TDC); Curdridge, one, 08 Jul (JCol); Portchester, one, 11 Jul (DH-J); Portsmouth, one, 11 Aug; one, 09 Sep (IRT); Hurn, one, 13 Jun; one, 26 Jun; one, 11 Jul; Hengistbury Head, one, 23 Jul; one, 27 Jun (MJef); Sway, one, 09 Jul (SKee); Needs Ore NNR, one, 30 Jun; four, 10 Jun; six, 16 Jun; one, 24 Jul (CNB); one, 24 Jul; one, 24 Jul (PCra);
VC12: Cole Henley, one, 07 Jul (GCE); Magdalen Hill Down NR, one, 23 Jul (AMD); Great Haughurst Copse, Axmansford, one, 24 Jun (ACB det. GJD); Basingstoke, one, 19 Jul; Sherborne St John, one, 16 Jun (MJW); Silchester Common, one, 07 Jul (WLan); Pamber Forest, three, 18 Jul; one, 25 Jul; one, 26 Jul (GJD); Hammer Vale, Woolmer, one, 20 Jul; one, 10 Aug (ASwa); Fleet Pond, one, 14 Jun; three, netted, 27 Jun; six, 07 Jul; two, 10 Aug (MHals)
35.031 [B&F: 0868] Helcystogramma rufescens (Haworth, 1828) - Common
Common in rough pastures, unimproved grassland, downland and woodland rides throughout much of the British Isles, except northern Scotland and northern Ireland. Fairly well distributed in Hampshire, but very rarely recorded on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 14-18 mm. The ochreous coloration of the forewing veins, and the whitish hindwing (in female only) distinguish from fresh examples of the rare and endangered H. lutatella, however, a worn, pale, female H. lutatella could be overlooked as H. rufescens (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). Larva feeds within leaves of various grasses, including False Oat-grass, Cock's-foot, False-brome, Tor-grass, Tall Fescue and Meadow-grass.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 95 | 106 | 1900 | 2022 |
| 11 | 950 | 1269 | 1972 | 2022 |
| 12 | 270 | 415 | 1981 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 21 | 31 | 3 |
| 12 | 15 | 20 | 2 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Marchwood, one, 30 Jun; Lee, one, 01 Jul; two, 14 Jul; one, 21 Jul (CTha); Fishlake Meadows, one, 13 Jul; Romsey, one, 09 Jul (NRJ); Needs Ore NNR, one, 01 Jul (PCra); two, 23 Jul (CNB); Botley, one, 23 Jul (SLB); Portsmouth, three, 20 Aug; one, 24 Aug; two, 05 Sep; three, 06 Sep; two, 07 Sep; one, 09 Sep; one, 10 Sep (IRT); Horndean, one, 04 Aug (PHog); Hengistbury Head, one, 19 Jul; two, 23 Jul (MJef); Needs Ore NNR, one, 01 Jul; two, 24 Jul (PCra);
VC12: Cholderton, two, 29 Jul; Goodworth Clatford, two, 01 Jul (TJN); Cole Henley, one, 27 Jul; one, 07 Jul; one, 07 Jul; two, 27 Jul; one, 27 Jul (GCE); Magdalen Hill Down NR, present, several, 23 Jul (AMD); Morn Hill, Winchester, one, 02 Sep (CRB, PDF, DAS); Basingstoke, one, 27 Jul (MJW); Sherborne St John, two, 17 Jul; two, 21 Jul; one, 23 Jul; two, 29 Jul (AWan); Hammer Vale, Woolmer, one, 31 Jul (ASwa det. MJW)