2020 Annual Report for: Ypsolophidae / Ypsolophinae

For species seen in 2020 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is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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 2020 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 2020, 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.

17.001 [B&F: 0451] Ypsolopha mucronella (Scopoli, 1763) - Local

Local in woodland on chalky soils throughout southern England. Fairly widely distributed across Hampshire, wherever the foodplant is found, but decidedly uncommon on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 26-33 mm. The distinctive attenuated resting posture is shared by a few other species of Ypsolopha, and most closely resembles Y. nemorella, which has a distinct dark spot on the forewing. Larva feeds on Spindle, beneath a silken web.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10101019002019
11685519712019
12727919822019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10111
11771
12221

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: Bonchurch, one, 09 May (JHa);

VC11: Timsbury, one, 07 Apr (TRa); Broughton, one, to actinic, 18 Oct; Kings Somborne, one, to actinic, 17 Mar (GCE); Portchester, one, 27 Apr; one, 28 Apr; one, 29 Apr; one, 30 Apr (JGe);

VC12: Crawley, one, to actinic, 18 Mar (GCE); Alton, one, to actinic, 16 Apr (BCA)

17.002 [B&F: 0452] Ypsolopha nemorella (Linnaeus, 1758) - Local

Local in woodland throughout the British Isles, except the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland; rare in Ireland (MBGBI Vol 3). In Hampshire and Isle of Wight widespread but usually uncommon in woodland, principally in the south of our region. Wingspan 21-24 mm. Larva feeds on Honeysuckle, beneath a silken web, over-wintering as an egg.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10181919262019
11786719582018
12121219942018

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11221

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Pig Bush, NF, one, 17 Jul (CL); West Walk, one, field observation, 23 Jun (RJD)

17.003 [B&F: 0453] Honeysuckle Moth Ypsolopha dentella (Fabricius, 1775) - Common

Common in woodland, hedgerows and gardens throughout the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight present in small numbers in most ten-kilometre squares. Wingspan 20-22 mm. Unmistakable, with characteristic upturned wingtips. Larva feeds on Honeysuckle, beneath a silken web, over-wintering as an egg.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10363718562019
1143247519712019
1222228119942019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10331
11431
12441

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: Shanklin, one, 26 Jul; one, 06 Aug; one, 07 Aug (IOu);

VC11: Woodlands, New Forest, present, 26 Jul (RBW); Romsey, one, 23 Jul (NRJ); Kings Somborne, one, to actinic, 31 Jul (GCE); Teg Down, one, to actinic, 30 Jul (EmPe);

VC12: Cholderton, one, 17 Jul; present, 24 Jul; one, 31 Jul; three, 08 Aug (TJN, HE); Chilbolton, one, to actinic, 17 Aug (GCE); Anna Valley, Andover, one, 07 Aug (TJN); Wherwell, one, to actinic, 29 Jul (GCE); Cheriton, one, to actinic, 07 Aug (DAS); Alton, one, to actinic, 31 Jul (BCA)

17.005 [B&F: 0455] Ypsolopha scabrella (Linnaeus, 1761) - Common

Common in gardens and open woodland throughout England and Wales, but less numerous in the northern uplands. Fairly well distributed, with a southerly bias, in Hampshire, but recorded very infrequently on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 15-21 mm. Distinguished from all other Ypsolophinae by the three sets of raised scale tufts on the dorsal part of the forewing, but even when these have worn away, is still fairly unmistakable. Larva feeds on Hawthorn, Apple and Cotoneaster, beneath a silken web, over-wintering as an egg.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10171419002018
1128532819712019
1220623819762019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1031210
11562
12771

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: West High Down Quarry, 10, 07 Aug (IOu); Cranmore, present, to actinic, 20 Jul (CHic); Shanklin, two, 07 Aug (IOu);

VC11: Totton, one, 21 Jul (LH); Kings Somborne, one, to actinic, 07 Aug (GCE); Fareham, one, to actinic, 22 Jul (MLO); West Meon, one, 31 Jul (F.M.G.); Tuckton, Bournemouth, two, 23 Jul (APar);

VC12: Cholderton, two, 24 Jul; present, 31 Jul; one, 08 Aug (TJN, HE); one, field observation, 11 Aug (TJN, LF); Chilbolton, one, to actinic, 02 Sep (SLE det. GCE); Wherwell, one, to actinic, 29 Jul; Barton Stacey, one, to actinic, 11 Aug (GCE); Axmansford, one, 13 Jul (ACB); Preston Candover, one, 07 Aug (MJW); Basingstoke, one, 29 Jul (RHil); Fleet, one, 24 Jul (MHals); Yateley, one, 08 Aug (JHH)

17.006 [B&F: 0456] Ypsolopha horridella (Treitschke, 1835) - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce (Nb) in open woodland and gardens throughout southern England and northern Wales. Barely annual in Hampshire, where recorded widely, but only regular on the coast in the south-east of the county; very rare on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 16-21 mm. Positioning and size of scale tufts on dorsum, and fuscous colouring distinguish Y. horridella from its congeners. Larva feeds on Apple and Blackthorn, beneath a silken web, over-wintering as an egg.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
103320012016
119719762012
124319982019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10243
11122

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: West High Down Quarry, three, 07 Aug; one, 20 Aug (IOu);

VC12: Yateley*, one, 08 Nov (JHH)

17.008 [B&F: 0458] Ypsolopha alpella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) - Local

Local in oak woodland throughout much of southern England and southern Wales, north to Yorkshire. Fairly frequent in south Hampshire, but uncommon in north Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 14-18 mm. The main confusion species are Y. lucella, from which Y. alpella can be distinguished by the thorax being concolorous with the base of the forewing, and by the presence of fasciae, although on worn specimens these can be inconspicuous; and Y. sylvella from which Y. alpella can be distinguished by its smaller and less conspicuous fasciae, and by the paler ground colour of its forewing (MBGBI Vol 3). Larva feeds on Oak, beneath a silken web, over-wintering as an egg.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
106719512019
11878019722019
12202219952019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10111
12111

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: Shanklin, one, 09 Aug (IOu);

VC12: Pamber Forest, one, 02 Sep (GJD)

17.009 [B&F: 0459] Ypsolopha sylvella (Linnaeus, 1767) - Local

Local in oak woodland throughout much of southern England and Wales, with records north to Yorkshire. In Hampshire there is a scattering of records generally away from the chalk and concentrated in the south and south-west of the county. Apart from one, possibly unconfirmed, record from 2013, not seen on the Island since Victorian times. Wingspan 17-19 mm. Similar to Y. alpella, but generally darker with more obvious fasciae (MBGBI Vol 3). Larva feeds on Oak, beneath a silken web, over-wintering as an egg.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
104118562013
11292719802019
12151719802019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
12111

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC12: Crawley*, one, to actinic, 30 Jun (GCE)

17.010 [B&F: 0460] Ypsolopha parenthesella (Linnaeus, 1761) - Common

Common in woodland throughout much of the British Isles, except the Outer Hebrides and Shetland. Common and widespread in Hampshire, though Isle of Wight records remain sparse. Wingspan 15-19 mm. Unicolorous forms can be distinguished from similar forms of Y. ustella

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
1011622418562019
1121925619712019
1220432219762019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1021406
118102
126103

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: Walter's Copse, Newtown, one, to actinic, 22 Sep; three, to actinic, 22 Sep (PBa); Parkhurst Forest, one, 08 Sep (IM det. TJN); two, 29 Jun; Shanklin, one, 26 Jun; one, 01 Jul; one, 05 Jul; one, 17 Jul; one, 26 Jul; one, 05 Aug; one, 09 Aug; one, 23 Aug; one, 08 Sep; one, 10 Sep; one, 12 Sep; one, 14 Sep; six, 15 Sep; one, 18 Sep; six, 19 Sep; five, 20 Sep; one, 06 Oct; three, 07 Oct (IOu);

VC11: Pig Bush, NF, one, 17 Jul (CL); Kings Somborne, one, to actinic, 08 Sep; one, to actinic, 15 Jun; one, to actinic, 08 Sep (GCE); Botley Wood, one, 18 Sep; one, 18 Sep; West Walk, two, 14 Aug; Hen Wood, two, 04 Sep (F.M.G.);

VC12: Crawley, one, to actinic, 07 Sep (GCE); Pamber Forest, three, 02 Sep; one, 06 Aug; one, 17 Jun; two, 31 Jul; two, 07 Sep (GJD)

17.011 [B&F: 0461] Ypsolopha ustella (Clerck, 1759) - Common

Common in oak woodland and areas with scattered oaks throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 15-20 mm. Very variable, plain forms can be confused with plain forms of Y. parenthesella. Larva feeds on Oak leaves, beneath a silken web.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
106310118562019
1151662119712019
128211619742019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10452
1116223
12221

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: Parkhurst Forest, one, 29 Jun; Shanklin, one, 02 Feb; one, 21 Feb; two, 25 Jun (IOu);

VC11: Woodlands, New Forest, present, 30 Jan (RBW); Romsey, three, 07 Jan; one, 08 Jan; two, 10 Mar; one, 17 Mar (NRJ); Kings Somborne, one, to actinic, 28 Sep (GCE); Botley Wood, one, 13 Mar; Wickham, one, 07 Aug (F.M.G.); Botley, one, to actinic, 09 Jan (SLB); Wickham Common, two, 07 Feb; Hen Wood, one, 04 Sep (F.M.G.); Pilley Bailey, NF, one, 07 Jul (RBW, MWa); Southsea, one, 17 Nov (JRL);

VC12: Crawley, one, to actinic, 17 Nov (GCE); Harestock, one, to actinic, 26 Jun (GRog); Liss Forest, one, 23 Feb (RJM); Bramshill Forest, one, netted, 11 Aug; Castle Bottom NNR, one, to actinic, 16 Aug; Yateley*, one, 12 Aug; one, 31 Jul; two, 08 Aug (JHH)

17.012 [B&F: 0462] Ypsolopha sequella (Clerck, 1759) - Common

Common in woodland and urban areas, especially where Field Maple is planted, throughout England and Wales. Fairly widely distributed across Hampshire, but usually no more than about a dozen records annually, and decidedly uncommon on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 17-20 mm. Unmistakable. Larva feeds on the foliage of Field Maple, living beneath a silken web.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10505519262019
1114114219722019
1218923319892019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1010123
11342
12562

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC10: West High Down Quarry, one, to light, 08 Sep (IOu); Walter's Copse, Newtown, one, to actinic, 22 Sep; St Lawrence Undercliff, one, to actinic, 28 Sep; St Lawrence: Salem Close, one, to actinic, 28 Sep (PBa); Bonchurch, one, 09 Aug (JHa); Shanklin, one, 18 Aug; one, 14 Sep; one, 16 Sep; three, 19 Sep; one, 21 Sep (IOu);

VC11: Kings Somborne, two, to actinic, 28 Sep; Broughton, one, to actinic, 06 Aug (GCE); Eastleigh, one, to actinic, 11 Sep (KArb); Fareham, one, to actinic, 16 Sep (MLO); Wickham, one, 07 Sep (JRDS);

VC12: Cholderton, one, field observation, 12 Sep (TJN, LF); Chilbolton, two, to actinic, 15 Sep (GCE); Harestock, one, to actinic, 08 Aug; one, to actinic, 09 Aug; one, to actinic, 15 Aug (GRog); Beech, one, 28 Sep (NDP); Pamber Forest, one, 07 Sep (GJD); Alton, one, to actinic, 08 Aug; one, to actinic, 12 Sep; one, to actinic, 19 Sep (DBO)