2023 Annual Report for: Ypsolophidae / Ypsolophinae
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is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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.
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 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 11 | 11 | 1900 | 2020 |
| 11 | 85 | 72 | 1971 | 2022 |
| 12 | 82 | 89 | 1982 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 12 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Woodley, one, 17 Mar (NBin); Horndean*, one, field observation, 16 Apr; one, field observation, 17 Apr (PHog);
VC12: Longstock, one, 07 May (KArb); Magdalen Hill Down NR, one, 30 Apr (AMD); Silchester Common*, one, 07 Jul (WLan); Frogmore*, one, to artificial light, 01 Apr (BGD)
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 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 46 | 55 | 1856 | 2022 |
| 11 | 473 | 529 | 1971 | 2022 |
| 12 | 252 | 316 | 1994 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 6 | 7 | 2 |
| 12 | 6 | 7 | 2 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Winter Down Copse, Little Somborne, one, 31 Jul (GCE); Horndean, one, 22 Aug (PHog); Hurn, one, 22 Jul; Hengistbury Head, one, 28 Jun; one, 19 Jul (MJef); Needs Ore NNR, two, 01 Jul (CNB);
VC12: Cholderton, two, 29 Jul (TJN); Newton Stacey, one, 16 Aug (GCE); Overton, one, 10 Aug (ACr); North Waltham, one, 16 Aug (AJon); Castle Bottom NNR, one, field observation, 26 Aug (AMD); Hammer Vale, Woolmer, one, 18 Aug (ASwa)
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 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 23 | 32 | 1900 | 2022 |
| 11 | 300 | 345 | 1971 | 2022 |
| 12 | 259 | 299 | 1976 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| 12 | 25 | 39 | 12 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Marchwood, one, 15 Aug (CTha); Romsey, one, 23 Jul (MJB); Waterlooville, one, 27 Jul; one, 31 Jul (DWhe); Sway, one, 23 Aug (SKee);
VC12: Cholderton, 12, 29 Jul (TJN); Littleton, one, 20 Jul; Barton Stacey, one, 08 Aug; one, 08 Aug; one, 08 Aug (GCE); Magdalen Hill Down NR, one, 23 Jul (AMD); Morn Hill, Winchester, one, 28 Jul (CRB, PDF, DAS, LHur); one, 11 Aug (CRB, DAS); one, 09 Sep (CRB, PDF, DAS, LHur); North Waltham, two, 23 Jul; one, 27 Jul; one, 16 Aug (AJon); Ecchinswell, two, 10 Aug (MJN); Alton, one, 11 Jul; one, 16 Jul; one, 20 Jul; two, 27 Jul (DBO); Chawton, one, field observation, 31 Aug (DAS); Selborne, one, 17 Aug (CJP); Noar Hill HIWWT NR, Selborne, one, 11 Aug (AMD, FHay det. AMD); Whitehill, one, 08 Aug (ASto); Hammer Vale, Woolmer, one, 23 Jul; one, 10 Aug; one, 18 Aug (ASwa); Fleet Pond, one, 17 Aug (MHals)
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 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 5 | 7 | 2001 | 2020 |
| 11 | 10 | 8 | 1976 | 2021 |
| 12 | 9 | 8 | 1998 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 12 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Waterlooville, one, 31 Jul (DWhe);
VC12: Littleton*, one, 10 Aug; Barton Stacey, one, 08 Aug (GCE); North Waltham*, one, 27 Jul (AJon)
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 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8 | 9 | 1951 | 2022 |
| 11 | 102 | 95 | 1972 | 2022 |
| 12 | 27 | 29 | 1995 | 2021 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 12 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Marchwood, one, 07 Sep (CTha); Waterlooville, one, 11 Sep (DWhe);
VC12: Great Haughurst Copse, Axmansford, one, 12 Aug (ACB det. GJD); Pamber Forest, one, 10 Aug (GJD); Whitehill, one, 17 Aug (ASto); Hammer Vale, Woolmer*, one, 12 Sep (ASwa)
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 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 4 | 1 | 1856 | 2013 |
| 11 | 33 | 31 | 1980 | 2022 |
| 12 | 17 | 19 | 1980 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Romsey, three, 07 Sep (MJB); Winter Down Copse, Little Somborne, one, 31 Jul (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 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 175 | 341 | 1856 | 2022 |
| 11 | 241 | 285 | 1971 | 2022 |
| 12 | 219 | 342 | 1976 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 9 | 10 | 2 |
| 12 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Blashford Lakes HIWWT NR, one, 19 Aug (PWhtk); East Tytherley, one, 09 Aug (GCE); Romsey, one, 09 Sep; two, 19 Sep (NRJ); Winter Down Copse, Little Somborne, one, 31 Jul; Crawley, one, 10 Sep (GCE); Allbrook, one, 15 Sep (SIng); Waterlooville*, one, 08 Sep (DWhe); Hengistbury Head, one, 27 Jun (MJef);
VC12: Cholderton, one, 29 Jul (TJN); Tidgrove Warren,nr Overton, one, 15 Sep (ACB); Pamber Forest, one, 06 Sep (GJD); Fleet Pond, two, 16 Sep (MHals)
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 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 83 | 126 | 1856 | 2022 |
| 11 | 561 | 667 | 1971 | 2022 |
| 12 | 114 | 155 | 1974 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 27 | 36 | 6 |
| 12 | 9 | 9 | 1 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Marchwood, one, 24 Jun (CTha); Totton, one, 03 Jul (CNB); Romsey, one, 04 Jan; one, 17 Mar (NRJ); Needs Ore NNR, one, 02 Jul (CNB); Dibden Purlieu, NF, one, 19 Oct (RAC); Thornhill, Southampton, one, 06 Sep; one, 06 Sep (PAB); Chandler's Ford, one, 03 Feb (KArb); Botley Wood, six, 03 Feb; one, 03 Mar (F.M.G.); Funtley, one, 17 Mar (TDC); Fareham, one, 08 Aug (MLO); Botley, one, 31 Oct (SLB); Waterlooville, one, 28 Apr; one, 22 Nov; two, 08 Dec (DWhe); West Walk, two, 17 Feb; one, 17 Mar (F.M.G.); Hurn, one, 20 Feb; Hengistbury Head, one, 23 Jul; three, 27 Jun; one, 27 Jun (MJef); New Milton, one, field observation, 21 Aug; Sway, one, 10 Aug (SKee); Pennington, one, 07 Jul (RFC); Needs Ore NNR, one, 24 Jul (CNB);
VC12: Barton Stacey, one, 16 Sep (GCE); Tidgrove Warren, nr Overton*, one, 07 Jul (MJW, ACB); Whitehill, one, 08 Dec; one, 11 Dec (ASto); Hammer Vale, Woolmer, one, 29 Aug; one, 19 Oct (ASwa); Minley Wood, one, field observation, 11 Mar (BGD); Fleet Pond, one, 20 Apr (MHals); Blackwater, one, 27 Jun (BGD)
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 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 75 | 87 | 1926 | 2022 |
| 11 | 172 | 175 | 1972 | 2022 |
| 12 | 231 | 277 | 1989 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 24 | 28 | 2 |
| 12 | 23 | 27 | 2 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: East Tytherley*, one, 27 Aug (GCE); Romsey, one, 15 Jun; one, 15 Sep (MJB); one, 05 Sep (NRJ); Dibden Purlieu, NF, one, 10 Aug; one, 03 Sep; one, 07 Sep (RAC); Swaythling, Southampton, one, 07 Jul (MEdg); Allbrook, one, 07 Sep (SIng); Winchester, one, 10 Oct (THW); Fareham, one, 28 Jun; one, 27 Jul; one, 14 Aug; one, 22 Aug; one, 09 Sep; one, 30 Sep (MLO); Botley, one, 17 Aug (SLB); Wickham, one, 06 Sep (JRDS); Waterlooville, one, 03 Aug; two, 08 Sep; two, 23 Sep (DWhe); Muscliffe*, one, 17 Aug (KingB); Hurn, two, 18 Aug (MJef);
VC12: Anna Valley, Andover, one, 06 Sep (TJN); Littleton, one, 10 Aug; Wonston, one, 25 Sep; Barton Stacey, one, 08 Aug; one, 11 Sep (GCE); Magdalen Hill Down NNR*, two, 07 Jul (SIng, NRJ, PPea); Magdalen Hill Down NR*, one, 14 Aug (AMD); Morn Hill, Winchester, one, 09 Sep (CRB, PDF, DAS, LHur); Overton, one, 10 Aug; one, 28 Aug; one, 23 Sep (ACr); Ecchinswell*, one, 07 Oct (MJN); Great Haughurst Copse, Axmansford*, one, 30 Sep (ACB det. GJD); Pamber Forest, two, 21 Aug (GJD); Alton, one, 10 Sep (DBO); Windmill Hill, Chalton, two, 07 Jul; Selborne, one, 17 Aug; one, 06 Oct (CJP); Hammer Vale, Woolmer, one, 18 Aug; one, 06 Sep (ASwa); Blackwater, one, 27 Jun; two, 07 Jul; one, 09 Aug (BGD)