2023 Annual Report for: Geometridae / Geometrinae
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is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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.
70.297 [B&F: 1665] Grass Emerald Pseudoterpna pruinata (Hufnagel, 1767) - Common
Common on heathland, moorland, open woodland, scrub, shingle beaches, gravel pits, roadside verges and embankments throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight found mainly on damp heathland in the New Forest and north-east Hampshire, also along the coast and in the west and south-east of the Island; fairly common in these areas, but a rare wanderer elsewhere. Wingspan 35-40 mm. The only similar species is Jersey Emerald P. coronillaria, which occurs only on Jersey and which see for differences. Larva feeds on Gorse, Broom and Petty Whin.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 73 | 82 | 1951 | 2022 |
| 11 | 808 | 784 | 1946 | 2022 |
| 12 | 101 | 103 | 1951 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 19 | 18 | 2 |
| 12 | 6 | 10 | 3 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Brockwood, one, 10 Jul (SDut); Waterslade Bottom, NF, present, field observation, 25 Jun (ASho); Ogden's Purlieu, NF, present, several, 29 Jun (AMD); Brockenhurst, NF, present, field observation, 13 Jul (iNat); Pig Bush, NF, one, 06 Jul (NRJ); Marchwood, one, 24 Jul (TDCh); Needs Ore NNR, one, 01 Jul (PCra); Dibden Purlieu, NF, one, 12 Jun; one, 18 Jun; one, 22 Jun; one, 23 Jun; one, 20 Jul (RAC); Hengistbury Head, one, 28 Jun; one, 10 Jul; two, 27 Jun (MJef); Sway, one, 10 Aug (SKee); Needs Ore NNR, two, 01 Jul; one, 09 Aug (CNB); one, 01 Jul (PCra);
VC12: Pamber Heath, two, 07 Jul; Lord's Wood, Pamber Forest, three, 07 Jul; Silchester Common, two, 07 Jul (WLan); Ludshott Common, one, 11 Jul (KBW, HthRT det. KBW); Fleet Pond, one, 07 Jul (MHals)
70.299 [B&F: 1666] Large Emerald Geometra papilionaria (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common
Common in woodland, scrubby heathland, hedgerows, gardens and parks throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight widespread and common. Wingspan 50-64 mm. Unmistakable. Larva feeds on Downy Birch, Silver Birch, Hazel and Alder.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 176 | 227 | 1951 | 2022 |
| 11 | 1516 | 1504 | 1951 | 2022 |
| 12 | 656 | 910 | 1951 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 53 | 69 | 5 |
| 12 | 21 | 26 | 4 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Blashford Lakes HIWWT NR, one, 08 Jul; one, 15 Jul (PWhtk); Blashford, one, 23 Jun (RWT); Hale Purlieu, NF, present, 11 Aug; one, 10 Aug (JPuz); Latchmore, one, field observation, 28 Jun (NTO); Marchwood, one, 26 Jun; Lee, one, 01 Jul; one, 28 Jul (CTha); North Baddesley, one, 01 Jul (RWPas); East Tytherley, two, 11 Jul; two, 21 Jun; two, 11 Jul (GCE); Romsey, one, 07 Aug (KPea); one, 07 Jul (NRJ); Broughton, one, 21 Jun (GCE); Needs Ore NNR, three, 02 Jul; one, 23 Jul (PCra); Dibden Purlieu, NF, one, 20 Jun; one, 26 Jun; one, 27 Jun; one, 02 Jul (RAC); Allbrook, one, 20 Jul; one, 10 Aug (SIng); Brownwich cliffs, one, 07 Jul; Brownwich Cliffs, Titchfield, one, 07 Jul (F.M.G.); Botley Wood, two, 04 Aug (AMD); two, 28 Jul (F.M.G.); Funtley, one, 24 Jun; two, 29 Jun (TDC); Botley, one, 02 Jul (SLB); Wickham, five, 23 Jun (F.M.G.); one, 21 Jun; one, 22 Jun; one, 02 Jul; four, 09 Jul; one, 11 Jul; two, 12 Jul (JRDS); Purbrook, one, 16 Aug (ARam); Waterlooville, one, 24 Jun; one, 16 Jul; one, 24 Jul; one, 31 Jul; one, 03 Aug (DWhe); Southleigh Forest, Emsworth, one, field observation, 10 Jul (TGut); Stroud, Petersfield, one, 01 Jul; one, 09 Jul (RAll); Hurn, one, 12 Jul; one, 29 Jul; Hengistbury Head, two, 27 Jun (MJef); Pennington, one, 17 Jun (RFC); Needs Ore NNR, one, 23 Jul (PCra);
VC12: Andover, one, field observation, 16 Jun (GTet); Barton Stacey, one, 09 Jul; Cole Henley, one, 07 Jul (GCE); Morn Hill, Winchester, one, 08 Jul (CRB, PDF, DAS, LHur); Ecchinswell, one, 07 Jul (MJN); Great Haughurst Copse, Axmansford, one, 24 Jun; four, 12 Jul (ACB); Lyeway Farm, Ropley, one, field observation, 07 Jul (EBell det. iNat); Pamber Heath, one, 07 Jul; Lord's Wood, Pamber Forest, two, 07 Jul; Silchester Common, one, 07 Jul (WLan); Pamber Forest, one, 18 Jul; two, 25 Jul; one, 21 Aug (GJD); Liphook, one, 27 Jun; one, 09 Jul (SEP); Hammer Vale, Woolmer, one, 04 Aug (ASwa); Fleet Pond, one, 03 Aug; one, 10 Aug; one, 17 Aug (MHals)
70.300 [B&F: 1667] Blotched Emerald Comibaena bajularia ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) - Local
Local in oak woodland, hedgerows and gardens throughout England; widespread and common in Hampshire and Isle of Wight. Wingspan 29-33 mm. The pale creamy tornal patches are unmistakable. Larva feeds on Oak, principally Pedunculate Oak.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 147 | 258 | 1951 | 2022 |
| 11 | 1308 | 1859 | 1949 | 2022 |
| 12 | 477 | 1130 | 1900 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 65 | 124 | 5 |
| 12 | 33 | 51 | 8 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Ogden's Purlieu, NF, one, 17 Jun (AMD); Marchwood, three, 15 Jun; five, 17 Jun (TDCh); two, 17 Jun (CTha); Totton, one, 12 Jun; two, 15 Jun; one, 21 Jun (CNB); North Baddesley, four, 12 Jun; one, 14 Jun (RWPas); East Tytherley, two, 21 Jun (GCE); Stanbridge Earls, one, 13 Jun (JRM); Fishlake Meadows, four, 15 Jun (NRJ); Romsey, two, 18 Jun (KPea); five, 11 Jun (NRJ); Dibden Purlieu, NF, one, 07 Jun; one, 10 Jun; one, 15 Jun; one, 16 Jun (RAC); Swaythling, Southampton, one, 12 Jun (MEdg); Chandlers Ford, one, 12 Jun (MWelf); Allbrook, three, 10 Jun; one, 11 Jun; five, 12 Jun; two, 13 Jun; four, 15 Jun; one, 17 Jun; one, 20 Jun; one, 21 Jun (SIng); Winchester, one, 16 Jun (THW); Stubbington, one, 16 Jun (DPH); Funtley, one, 12 Jun; one, 14 Jun; one, 21 Jun (TDC); Wickham, one, 23 Jun (F.M.G.); three, 12 Jun; one, 15 Jun; three, 20 Jun; one, 21 Jun; one, 22 Jun (JRDS); Waterlooville, one, 09 Jun; two, 12 Jun; three, 14 Jun; one, 20 Jun (DWhe); Lovedean, one, 13 Jun; two, 15 Jun; one, 21 Jun (ARJa); Horndean, one, 23 Jun (PHog); Hurn, one, 08 Jun; three, 10 Jun; four, 11 Jun; two, 13 Jun; one, 14 Jun; three, 15 Jun; one, 18 Jun; one, 19 Jun; three, 20 Jun; one, 22 Jun; Hengistbury Head, two, 12 Jun (MJef); Burton, nr Christchurch, one, 16 Jun (JStw); Sway, two, 13 Jun; four, 15 Jun; two, 21 Jun (SKee); Battramsley, NF, three, 11 Jun (MWelf); Pennington, two, 16 Jun; three, 17 Jun (RFC);
VC12: Grayshott, one, 24 Jun (THard); Whitchurch, one, 21 Jun (SuBro); Cole Henley, one, 17 Jun; two, 17 Jun; one, 17 Jun (GCE); Overton, one, 14 Jun (ACr); North Waltham, two, 16 Jun (AJon); Ecchinswell, one, 09 Jun; one, 24 Jun (MJN); Great Haughurst Copse, Axmansford, seven, 24 Jun (ACB); Sherborne St John, one, 16 Jun (MJW); Oakridge, Basingstoke, one, 16 Jun (IFS); Pamber Heath, one, 10 Jun (WLan); Lord's Wood, Pamber Forest, four, 10 Jun (MBot); Silchester Common, one, 10 Jun (WLan); Pamber Forest, six, 13 Jun (GJD); Alton, one, 21 Jun (DBO); Windmill Hill, Chalton, one, 15 Jun (CJP); Whitehill, one, 16 Jun; one, 19 Jun (ASto); Hammer Vale, Woolmer, one, 15 Jun; two, 17 Jun (ASwa); Farnham, present, 14 Jun; present, 15 Jun (Bird); present, field observation, 17 Jun (iNat); present, 19 Jun (Bird); present, field observation, 24 Jun; present, field observation, 18 Jun (iNat); Fleet Pond, eight, 14 Jun; one, 10 Jun (MHals); Blackwater, one, 11 Jun; one, 17 Jun (BGD); Farnborough, one, 18 Jun (KBW)
70.302 [B&F: 1673] Small Emerald Hemistola chrysoprasaria (Esper, 1795) - Local
Local on heathland, downland, open woodland, scrubland and in gardens throughout much of southern England, spreading into northern England, a species of conservation concern under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight frequent amongst Clematis on the chalk, and occasional elsewhere, where it possibly uses cultivated Clematis as its larval foodplant. Wingspan 33-40 mm. Distinguished from all other medium-sized emeralds by the rounded wings and curved cross-lines. Larva feeds on Traveller's-joy and cultivated Clematis.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 240 | 286 | 1981 | 2022 |
| 11 | 1227 | 1255 | 1951 | 2022 |
| 12 | 797 | 962 | 1940 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 40 | 48 | 2 |
| 12 | 35 | 47 | 4 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: East Tytherley, two, 11 Jul (GCE); Marchwood, one, 24 Jun (CTha); Romsey, one, 21 Jun; two, 23 Jun (MJB); Broughton, two, 23 Jun; two, 19 Jul; one, 19 Jul (GCE); Blackfield, one, 12 Jun (SJJ); Bitterne, Southampton, one, field observation, 30 Jun (RNic); Winchester, one, 30 Jun; two, 08 Sep (THW); Colden Common, one, field observation, 29 Jun (BHed); Fareham, one, 20 Jun; one, 25 Jun (ADT); one, 26 Jun (IMcP); one, 13 Jun (MLO); one, 28 Jun (KJW); Portsmouth, one, 06 Jul; one, 04 Sep (IRT); Lovedean, one, 24 Jun; one, 25 Jun; one, 26 Jun; one, 27 Jun; one, 07 Jul (ARJa); Horndean, one, 30 Jun; one, 21 Jul; one, 25 Jul (PHog); Clanfield, one, field observation, 27 Jun (MBer); Stroud, Petersfield, one, 26 Jun; one, 27 Jun (RAll); Muscliffe, one, 17 Jul; two, 21 Aug; two, 22 Aug; one, 05 Sep (KingB); Pennington, two, 27 May; one, 03 Jun; one, 10 Jun; one, 17 Jun; one, 21 Jun (RFC);
VC12: Cholderton, one, 29 Jul (TJN); Chilbolton, two, 23 Jun (GCE); Anna Valley, Andover, one, 07 Jul (TJN); Littleton, one, 20 Jul; one, 27 Jun; Wonston, one, 13 Jul; Barton Stacey, two, 09 Jul; one, 09 Jul; Cole Henley, two, 07 Jul; one, 07 Jul (GCE); Magdalen Hill Down NNR, one, 24 Jun (KArb, ARho, PPea); one, 07 Jul (SIng, NRJ, PPea); Morn Hill, Winchester, four, 08 Jul (CRB, PDF, DAS, LHur); Cheriton, one, 16 Jun (DAS); North Waltham, one, 27 Jun; four, 07 Jul (AJon); Ecchinswell, one, 07 Jul (MJN); Basingstoke, one, 07 Jul (CWor); one, 12 Jul; one, 17 Jul; one, 27 Jul (MJW); one, 20 Jul (RHil); Sherborne St John, one, 16 Aug (MJW); Oakridge, Basingstoke, one, 30 Jun; one, 12 Aug (IFS); Lord's Wood, Pamber Forest, one, 07 Jul (WLan); Alton, one, 13 Jun; one, 23 Jun; two, 29 Jun (DBO); Windmill Hill, Chalton, two, 01 Jul; two, 07 Jul; one, 13 Jul (CJP); Whitehill, one, 07 Jul (ASto); Liphook, one, 27 Jun (SEP); Fleet Pond, one, 23 Aug (MHals)
70.303 [B&F: 1674] Little Emerald Jodis lactearia (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common
Common in open woodland, mature hedgerows, scrubby heathland, moorland and grassland throughout much of England, Wales and western Scotland. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight still widespread in all three vice-counties but surely much less common than formerly. Wingspan 23-26 mm. The most likely confusion species is Small Grass Emerald Chlorissa viridata, which see for differences. Larva feeds on Downy Birch, Silver Birch, Hazel, Hawthorn and Blackthorn, over-wintering as a pupa.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 80 | 142 | 1981 | 2022 |
| 11 | 435 | 508 | 1951 | 2022 |
| 12 | 114 | 112 | 1951 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 6 | 7 | 2 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: King's Copse Inclosure, NF, present, field observation, 23 Jul (iNat); Botley Wood, two, 09 Jun; Wickham, one, 23 Jun (F.M.G. det. MLO); one, 11 Jun; one, 14 Jun; two, 20 Jun (JRDS)
70.305 [B&F: 1669] Common Emerald Hemithea aestivaria (Hübner, 1789) - Common
Common in woodland, hedgerows, scrubby heathland, downland, gardens and parks throughout much of lowland England and Wales; widespread and often fairly common throughout Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 29-34 mm. Unmistakable. Larva polyphagous on the foliage of many deciduous trees and shrubs, including Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Hazel.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 562 | 1156 | 1951 | 2022 |
| 11 | 5005 | 7208 | 1951 | 2022 |
| 12 | 1102 | 1631 | 1951 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 173 | 269 | 16 |
| 12 | 21 | 29 | 5 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Summary
VC11: Earliest: Botley Wood, 09 Jun, 1 (F.M.G.) Latest: Stubbington, 23 Aug, 1 (DPH) Max count: Wickham, 23 Jun, 16 (F.M.G.)
VC12: Earliest: Blackwater, 11 Jun, 1 (BGD) Latest: Conford, 19 Jul, 1 (KBH) Max count: Overton, 17 Jun, 5 (ACr)
70.306 [B&F: 1670] Small Grass Emerald Chlorissa viridata (Linnaeus, 1758) - Nationally Scarce
Nationally scarce (Na) in damp heathland and mosses in parts of southern England and in north-western England, where now very rare. Fairly common in boggy areas of the New Forest, and eastwards to Emer Bog although not in recent years; formerly on heathy ground in Botley Wood, but not since 1960. No recent record from the Isle of Wight, and the old record for northern Hampshire remains unconfirmed. Wingspan 24-27 mm. Similar to Little Emerald Jodis lactearia, but cross-lines straighter. Larva feeds on Heather, Cross-leaved Heath, Creeping Willow, Gorse and other woody plants, over-wintering as a pupa.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 5 | 0 | 1800 | 1930 |
| 11 | 163 | 119 | 1800 | 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: Dibden Bottom, NF, one, field observation, 27 May (NAdd); Hurn, one, 11 Jun (MJef)