2023 Annual Report for: Saturniidae / Saturniinae
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is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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.
68.001 [B&F: 1643] Emperor Moth Saturnia pavonia (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common
Common on heathland, marshes, bogs, moorland, woodland rides and sand-dunes throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight frequent on the heaths, less so in marshes, occasional elsewhere, where wandering females are sometimes taken at light. Wingspan male 58-64 mm, female 68-88 mm. Unmistakable. Larva feeds on Heather, Meadowsweet, Alder Buckthorn, Bramble, Hawthorn and Blackthorn, over-wintering as a pupa.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 5 | 0 | 1856 | 1981 |
| 11 | 309 | 333 | 1951 | 2022 |
| 12 | 71 | 211 | 1951 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 15 | 24 | 6 |
| 12 | 6 | 18 | 10 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Withybed Bottom, NF, one, field observation, 05 May (ENes); Denny Wood, NF, four, field observation, 03 May (PDB); Shatterford, NF, larva, present, field observation, 19 Aug (Unkn.); Beaulieu Road Station, one, to pheromone lure, 24 Apr; Beaulieu Road Station, NF, one, to pheromone lure, 24 Apr (TDCh); Shatterford, NF, six, field observation, 17 May (NBur); Furzy Brow, NF, larva, present, field observation, 22 Aug (TGib); Yew Tree Heath, NF, larva, one, field observation, 13 Jul (NAdd); Longdown, NF, three, to pheromone lure, 09 May; North Gate, NF, one, to pheromone lure, 14 May; one, to pheromone lure, 27 May (TDCh); Paultons Park, Romsey, present, field observation, 04 May (iNat); Dibden Purlieu, NF, three, to pheromone lure, attracted to unmated female. , 20 Apr (RAC); Butser Hill, one, field observation, 07 May (NBur); Hengistbury Head, one, 11 May (HengistH);
VC12: Beaulieu Heath, NF, one, field observation, female, 23 Apr (PEH); Longmoor Inclosure, Greatham, 10, field observation, 02 May (DAS); Whitehill, one, to pheromone lure, 07 Apr (ASto); Liphook, one, to pheromone lure, 17 May (SEP); Fleet Pond, one, female - 4W black light, 04 May; larva, four, field observation, on bramble, 01 Jun (MHals)