2023 Annual Report for: Sphingidae / Smerinthinae
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is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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.
69.001 [B&F: 1979] Lime Hawk-moth Mimas tiliae (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common
Common in broad-leaved woodland, parks and gardens throughout much of southern England, north to Yorkshire. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight fairly common, especially in suburban areas, where the moth is sometimes seen newly emerged on lime trunks, and where the pupa can sometimes be dug from under lime and elm trees. Wingspan 70-80 mm. Unmistakable. Larva feeds on Lime, English Elm, Birch and Alder, over-wintering as a pupa.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 119 | 95 | 1856 | 2022 |
| 11 | 1381 | 1313 | 1949 | 2022 |
| 12 | 538 | 534 | 1951 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 34 | 33 | 2 |
| 12 | 14 | 11 | 2 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Ringwood, larva, one, field observation, 04 Sep (PWhtk); Blashford Lakes HIWWT NR, one, 17 May (CWri); Hale Purlieu, NF, present, 11 Jun; two, 10 Jun (JPuz); Marchwood, one, 09 Jun; one, 14 May; one, different individual to last week's. , 21 May (CTha); Stanbridge Earls, one, 24 May (JRM); Romsey, one, 18 May; one, 20 May (MJB); one, 24 May (NRJ); Dibden Purlieu, NF, one, 31 May (RAC); Swaythling, Southampton, two, 06 May; one, 07 May (MEdg); Chandler's Ford, one, 20 May (KArb); Allbrook, one, 12 Jun (SIng); Botley Wood, two, 09 Jun (F.M.G.); Fareham, larva, one, field observation, 15 Aug (DPH); one, 21 Jun (IMcP); one, 08 Jul (KJW); Bishop's Waltham, present, field observation, 25 Jul (iNat); Wickham, one, 04 Jun; one, 15 Jun (JRDS); Portchester, one, 18 May (DH-J); Lovedean, one, 16 Jun (ARJa); Staunton CP, one, 23 May (SJDa); Horndean, one, 09 Jun (PHog); Parley, Bournemouth, present, field observation, 25 Jun (iNat); Hurn, one, 11 Jun (MJef); Hurn Forest, present, field observation, 31 May (iNat); Hengistbury Head, one, 12 Jun (MJef); Burton, nr Christchurch, one, 09 Jun (JStw); New Milton, one, 03 Jun (RPH); Sway, one, 15 May (SKee);
VC12: The Hawk Conservancy, Weyhill, present, field observation, 15 Jul; Andover, present, field observation, 18 May (iNat); Malshanger, nr Basingstoke, larva, one, field observation, 11 Jul (CLW); Black Dam, Basingstoke, one, field observation, 11 May (JEH); Liss Forest, present, field observation, 28 May (iNat); Alton, one, 30 May (DBO); Whitehill, one, 27 May; one, 16 Jun (ASto); Alice Holt, present, 18 Jul (Bird); Fleet Pond, one, 14 May; two, 10 Jun (MHals); Blackwater, two, 11 Jun (BGD); Farnborough, one, 14 May (KBW)
69.002 [B&F: 1980] Eyed Hawk-moth Smerinthus ocellata (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common
Common in gardens, orchards, parks, fens, scrub and woodland throughout England and Wales. Widespread and fairly common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 75-95 mm. Larva feeds on most species of Salix and Malus, over-wintering as a pupa.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 299 | 332 | 1951 | 2022 |
| 11 | 1754 | 1810 | 1951 | 2022 |
| 12 | 472 | 542 | 1951 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 38 | 47 | 5 |
| 12 | 10 | 10 | 1 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Blashford Lakes HIWWT NR, one, 01 Jul (PWhtk); Fordingbridge, one, 26 May; one, 09 Jun; one, 15 Jun; two, 30 Jun (SCT); Marchwood, one, 15 Jun; five, 17 Jun (TDCh); one, 07 Jun; one, 18 Jun (CTha); Totton, one, 15 Jun (CNB); Lee, one, 09 Jun (CTha); North Baddesley, one, 01 Jun; one, 12 Jun (RWPas); Woodley, one, 14 Jun (NBin); Romsey, one, 13 May (MJB); Dibden Purlieu, NF, one, 12 Jun; two, 27 Jun (RAC); Swaythling, Southampton, one, 12 Jun; one, 15 Jun (MEdg); Allbrook, one, 28 May (SIng); Fareham, one, 10 Jun; one, 17 Jun (ADT); Botley, one, 18 Jun (SLB); Wickham, one, 16 Jun (JRDS); Portsmouth, one, 22 Jun (IRT); Hurn, one, 08 May; one, 16 Jun; Hengistbury Head, two, 20 Jun; one, 19 Jul (MJef); Sway, one, 22 May; one, 24 May; one, 15 Jun (SKee); Blackbush, Milford-on-Sea, one, 28 May (MBot); Pennington, three, 17 Jun (RFC); Needs Ore NNR, one, 30 Jun; one, 31 May; one, 10 Jun; one, 24 Jul (CNB);
VC12: Anna Valley, Andover, one, 10 Jun (TJN); Morn Hill, Winchester, one, 10 Jun (CRB, DAS, PDF et al); one, 10 Jun (CRB, PDF, DAS, LHur); Overton, one, 04 Jun; one, 14 Jun (ACr); Basingstoke, one, 10 Jun (MJW); Whitehill, one, 19 Jun (ASto); Fleet Pond, one, netted, 14 Jun; one, netted, 17 Jun; one, 10 Jun (MHals)
69.003 [B&F: 1981] Poplar Hawk-moth Laothoe populi (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common
Common in parkland, gardens, fens, woodland, heathland and moorland throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 72-92 mm. Unmistakable. Larva feeds on Aspen, White Poplar, Black Poplar, Goat Willow and Grey Willow, over-wintering as a pupa.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1311 | 2039 | 1849 | 2022 |
| 11 | 10234 | 14553 | 1951 | 2022 |
| 12 | 3124 | 5006 | 1949 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 372 | 493 | 7 |
| 12 | 144 | 200 | 5 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Summary
VC11: Earliest: Brockwood, 12 May, 1 (SDut) Latest: Southsea, 21 Aug, 2 (JGdr) Max count: Needs Ore NNR, 09 Aug, 7 (CNB)
VC12: Earliest: Cholderton, 20 May, 3 (TJN) Latest: Farnborough, 27 Jul, 1 (KBW) Max count: Sherborne St John, 16 Aug, 5 (MJW)