2020 Annual Report for: Crambidae / Scopariinae

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taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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

63.062 [B&F: 1332] Scoparia subfusca Haworth, 1811 - Common

Common in woodland edges, gardens and rough ground throughout much of Britain. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight widespread and common, but like its congeners either ignored or unidentified and so under-recorded. Wingspan 20-27 mm. One of the larger Scopariinae, and usually easy to recognise by the rather uniform light brownish grey colour, simple markings and lack of distinct subterminal line [Goater]. Larva feeds on roots of Oxtongue, Colt's-foot and Butterbur.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
1010814118562019
1127923219512019
1236141519512019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1062410
11331
1216182

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC10: West High Down Quarry, 10, 07 Aug; 10, 20 Aug; one, to light, 08 Sep (IOu); Bonchurch, one, 07 Jun (JHa); Shanklin, one, 07 Aug; one, 08 Aug (IOu);

VC11: Acres Down, one, 08 Aug (CWlk); Broughton, one, to actinic, 06 Aug (GCE); Eastleigh, one, to actinic, 04 Aug (KArb);

VC12: Cholderton, one, 24 Jul (TJN, HE); Anna Valley, Andover, one, 23 Jun; one, 25 Jun (TJN); Goodworth Clatford, one, to actinic, 19 Jul; Wherwell, one, to actinic, 19 Jul; one, to actinic, 19 Jul; two, to actinic, 29 Jul; one, to actinic, 29 Jul; one, to actinic, 29 Jul; Harewood Forest, two, to actinic, 23 Jul; Chilbolton, one, to actinic, 14 Jul; Barton Stacey, one, to actinic, 11 Aug; Wonston, one, to actinic, 17 Jul (GCE); Pamber Forest, one, 23 Jun; one, 31 Jul (GJD); Hammer Vale, Woolmer, one, 27 May (ASw)

63.063 [B&F: 1334a] Scoparia basistrigalis Knaggs, 1866 - Local

Local in deciduous woodland throughout England, less numerous in the north. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight much less common than S. ambigualis, but reported widely across the region. Wingspan 20-23 mm. This species is usually easy to recognise though some individuals are very close indeed to S. ambigualis; in general, S. basistrigalis is a little larger, broader-winged, with apex of forewing blunter, greyer, without ochreous hue, more heavily irrorate blackish and with fringe more strongly chequered [Goater]. Larva feeds on various mosses.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
1010717719222019
1145454019512019
1210918719512019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10662
1122294
1211174

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC10: Cranmore, present, to actinic, 07 Jul (CHic); Haseley Manor, two, 09 Jun; Shanklin, one, 02 Jun; one, 16 Jun; one, 30 Jul; Borthwood Copse, Winford, one, 23 Jun (IOu);

VC11: Woodlands, New Forest, present, 13 Jun (RBW); Ashurst, NF, one, 15 Jun; one, 24 Jun (SAB); Totton, one, 02 Jul (LH); Ashley, one, to actinic, 22 Jul (GCE); Romsey, four, 30 May; one, 25 Jul (NRJ); Ashley, one, to actinic, 22 Jul (GCE); Dibden Purlieu, one, to actinic, 24 Jun (RAC); Allbrook, one, to actinic, 25 Jun; two, 07 Jul (SI); Kings Somborne, two, to actinic, 15 Jul (GCE); Catisfield, one, to actinic, 25 Jun; one, 13 Jul (ALR); Wickham, four, 07 Aug (F.M.G. det. RJD); Botley, one, to actinic, 11 Jun; one, to actinic, 26 Jun (SLB); West Meon, one, 31 Jul (F.M.G.);

VC12: Chilbolton, one, to actinic, 14 Jul; Crawley, one, to actinic, 21 Jul; two, to actinic, 21 Jul; one, to actinic, 30 Jun (GCE); Axmansford, one, 13 Jul (ACB); Pamber Forest, two, 01 Jul; two, 03 Jul; one, 08 Jul; one, 19 Jul; one, 24 Jul (GJD); South Warnborough, four, 22 Jul (DLee)

63.064 [B&F: 1334] Scoparia ambigualis (Treitschke, 1829) - Common

Common in deciduous woodland and on moorland throughout Britain. Widespread and very common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 15-22 mm. Most likely to be confused with S. basistrigalis and S. ancipitella, which see, and Eudonia truncicolella, which has darker markings and no ochreous wash. Larva feeds on various mosses.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
1024151818562019
112430476819512019
121705424519512019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1010197
1162754
128217023

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Summary

VC10: Earliest: Parkhurst Forest, 19 May, 1 (IOu) Latest: Firestone Copse, 21 Jul, 1 (IOu) Max count: Broadley Copse, 25 Jun, 7 (JBa)

VC11: Earliest: Brockwood, 04 Jul, 2 (SDut) Latest: Sway, 25 Jun, 1 (SKe) Max count: Kings Somborne, 11 Jun, 4 (GCE)

VC12: Earliest: Anna Valley, Andover, 20 May, 1 (TJN) Latest: Yateley, 23 Jun, 2 (JHH) Max count: Pamber Forest, 30 May, 23 (GJD)

63.066 [B&F: 1333] Scoparia pyralella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) - Common

Common on chalk downland and waste ground throughout much of Britain, less numerous in Scotland. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight widespread and common. Wingspan 17-20 mm. Although this is a variable species, it is usually easy to recognise by the rather short, broad wings, contrasting pattern and the distinctly ochreous rather than grey hue [Goater]. Despite most published literature stating that the larva feeds on various mosses and decaying vegetable matter, Bob Heckford (pers comm) has said that there is no confirmed record of the larva feeding on any moss species that he is aware of. In fact he and Stella Beavan may be the only people alive in Britain who have found the larva, feeding on dead leaves of Plantago lanceolata.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
1022047818562019
11890249219512019
12828241919512019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1014253
1140402
125811822

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Summary

VC10: Earliest: Tennyson Down, 19 May, 1 (SDa) Latest: Haseley Manor, 09 Jun, 3 (IOu) Max count: Bonchurch, 02 Jun, 3 (JHa)

VC11: Earliest: Brockwood, 27 May, 1 (SDut) Latest: Fareham, 02 Jul, 1 (MLO) Max count: Ashley, 23 Jun, 2 (GCE)

VC12: Earliest: Over Wallop, 21 May, 2 (CM) Latest: Yateley, 21 May, 1 (JHH) Max count: Ropley, 14 Jun, 22 (TJN, LF)

63.067 [B&F: 1338] Eudonia lacustrata (Panzer, 1804) - Common

Common in a wide range of habitats throughout most of Britain, south of the Scottish Highlands. Common across much of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 16-18 mm. Similar to Eudonia mercurella, but that species has slightly narrower, more pointed forewing, is usually darker coloured, and subterminal line is not interrupted [Goater]. Larva feeds on various mosses, often on walls and tree trunks.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10291118819802019
112350552119512019
121546569219512019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1058631140
1122642525
1217841412

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Summary

VC10: Earliest: West High Down Quarry, 07 Aug, 20 (IOu) Latest: Bembridge Fort, 06 Aug, 1 (IOu) Max count: Shanklin, 09 Aug, 140 (IOu)

VC11: Earliest: Brockwood, 13 Jun, 1 (SDut) Latest: Southsea, 23 Jul, 1 (JGe) Max count: West Meon, 31 Jul, 25 (F.M.G.)

VC12: Earliest: Cholderton, 10 Jul, 1 (TJN, HE) Latest: Yateley, 07 Aug, 1 (GHa) Max count: Cholderton, 17 Jul, 12 (TJN, HE)

63.069 [B&F: 1342] Eudonia angustea (Curtis, 1827) - Common

Historically associated with coastal sand-dunes and rough ground throughout the British Isles, this species in recent decades has been increasingly common inland. This picture is mirrored in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight and it is generally regular to traps across the two counties, and is the only scopariid to be seen in winter. Wingspan 17-22 mm. Easily recognised by the narrow, pointed, brown-tinted forewing [Goater]. Larva feeds on various mosses, often on walls and sand dunes.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10820148818562019
114038606119512019
1248360919512019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1010625417
1138561111
1230459

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Summary

VC10: Earliest: Totland, 19 Sep, 2 (RTe) Latest: Sandpit Copse, 20 May, 1 (IOu) Max count: Shanklin, 19 Sep, 17 (IOu)

VC11: Earliest: Brockwood, 16 May, 1 (SDut) Latest: Southsea, 10 Nov, 1 (JRL) Max count: Pennington, 28 Sep, 11 (RFC)

VC12: Earliest: Cholderton, 08 Aug, 1 (TJN, HE) Latest: Yateley, 14 Sep, 9 (JHH) Max count: Yateley, 14 Sep, 9 (JHH)

63.072 [B&F: 1343] Eudonia delunella (Stainton, 1849) - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce (Nb) on heathland and in woodland in parts of the British Isles. In Hampshire rather frequent on the coast, but very local inland except on the New Forest heaths. There have been no recent records from the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 17-18mm. An easily-recognised species with strongly contrasted black-and-white pattern and prominent discal blotch [Goater]. Larva feeds on various mosses and lichens, often on tree trunks.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10111318802019
1138051219512019
12213319512019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10100
115911810
12462

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC10: Cranmore, present, to actinic, 17 Jul (CHic);

VC11: South Oakley Inclosure, Burley, NF, one, field observation, 05 Jun (JHC); Marchwood, one, 20 Jun; three, 24 Jun (CTh); Woodlands, New Forest, present, 31 May (RBW); Ashurst, NF, one, 27 May; one, 11 Jun; one, 24 Jun; one, 02 Jul; one, 23 Jul (SAB); Totton, one, 31 May; two, 01 Jun; two, 07 Jul; one, 15 Jul; three, 16 Jul; one, 17 Jul; one, 23 Jul; one, 30 Jul; one, 07 Aug; two, 09 Aug (LH); Stanbrige Earls, one, to actinic, 22 Jul (JRMi); Romsey, one, 16 Jul (NRJ); Dibden Purlieu, one, to actinic, 24 Jun (RAC); Eastleigh, one, to actinic, 17 Jun; one, to actinic, 19 Jun (KArb); Allbrook, three, 01 Jun; two, 08 Jun; two, 13 Jun; two, 14 Jun; three, 15 Jun; one, 23 Jun; two, 24 Jun; 10, to actinic, 25 Jun; two, 15 Jul; two, 16 Jul (SI); Sway, two, 22 Jun; one, to actinic, 22 Jul (S&SL); two, 09 Jun; one, 11 Jun; four, 15 Jun; three, 17 Jun; one, 22 Jun; six, 23 Jun; five, 24 Jun; seven, 25 Jun; four, 29 Jun; two, 01 Jul; two, 02 Jul (SKe); Pennington, three, 24 Jun; two, 31 Jul; one, 05 Aug; one, 13 Aug; one, 14 Aug (RFC); Pilley Bailey, NF, one, 03 Aug (RBW, MWa);

VC12: Anna Valley, Andover, one, 25 Jun (TJN); Crawley*, two, to actinic, 30 Jul (GCE); Cheriton*, one, to actinic, 16 Jul (DAS); Yateley*, two, 23 Jun (JHH)

63.073 [B&F: 1340] Eudonia truncicolella (Stainton, 1849) - Common

Common in a wide variety of habitats, including woodland and gardens, throughout Britain. Wingspan 18-23 mm. Very difficult to distinguish from E. murana, a very much rarer species which has, to 2008, yet to be recorded reliably in Hampshire or the Isle of Wight, but which has a less markedly zigzag postmedian line; can also be confused with Scoparia ambigualis, which see. Larva feeds on various mosses.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10405919592019
1188316772002019
1229672119512019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1053325
1132728
12881

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC10: West High Down Quarry, two, 20 Aug; Parkhurst Forest, three, 29 Jun; Haseley Manor, one, 11 Aug; Shanklin, two, 17 Jun; 25, 09 Aug (IOu);

VC11: Totton, two, 22 Jun; two, 24 Jun; one, 28 Jun; one, 29 Jun; two, 30 Jun; one, 07 Jul; two, 07 Jul; two, 08 Jul; three, 09 Jul; one, 10 Jul; two, 11 Jul; one, 12 Jul; one, 14 Jul; three, 15 Jul; seven, 16 Jul; three, 17 Jul; one, 20 Jul; two, 22 Jul; three, 23 Jul; two, 24 Jul; one, 27 Jul; one, 30 Jul; six, 31 Jul; two, 01 Aug; one, 04 Aug; five, 07 Aug; one, 09 Aug; two, 10 Aug; one, 11 Aug (LH); Romsey, one, 19 Aug (NRJ); West Walk, eight, 14 Aug (F.M.G.);

VC12: Pamber Forest, one, 08 Jul; one, 13 Jul; one, 26 Aug; one, 07 Sep (GJD); Liss Forest, one, gen det, 29 Aug (RJM); Whitehill, one, 05 Sep (ASto); Castle Bottom NNR, one, to actinic, 16 Aug (JHH); Hammer Vale, Woolmer, one, 24 Jul (ASw)

63.074 [B&F: 1344] Eudonia mercurella (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common

Common in a wide range of habitats, including woodland and gardens, throughout Britain. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 16-19 mm. Distinguished from other Scopariinae by the generally dark forewings and X-shaped configuration of cross-lines which occupies the whole of the subterminal region [Goater]. Larva feeds on various mosses, often on walls and tree trunks.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10304108618932019
1143361166719512019
122138689519512019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10287420
113114737
1212228821

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Summary

VC10: Earliest: Freshwater, 18 Sep, 1 (PBa) Latest: Broadley Copse, 25 Jun, 1 (JBa) Max count: Shanklin, 09 Aug, 20 (IOu)

VC11: Earliest: Brockwood, 22 Aug, 1 (SDut) Latest: Southsea, 01 Jun, 2 (JRL) Max count: Kings Somborne, 31 Jul, 7 (GCE)

VC12: Earliest: Cholderton, 17 Jul, 3 (TJN, HE) Latest: Yateley, 17 Aug, 2 (JHH) Max count: Cholderton, 08 Aug, 21 (TJN, HE)

63.075 [B&F: 1336] Eudonia pallida (Curtis, 1827) - Local

Local in marshes, river-banks and damp areas throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight widespread and common. Wingspan 17-19 mm. One of the smallest British scopariines, easily recognised by the weak markings, pale coloration, and small, blackish stigmata [Goater]. Larva feeds on various mosses.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
1016925119002019
111245211919512019
12707158719512019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10342
1128271
1221295

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC10: Shanklin, one, 26 May; two, 01 Jun; Shanklin Upper Chine, one, 21 May (IOu);

VC11: Woodlands, New Forest, present, 31 May (RBW); Ashurst, NF, one, 27 May (SAB); Totton, one, 24 May; one, 24 Jun; one, 21 Jul; one, 10 Aug; one, 11 Aug (LH); Stanbrige Earls, one, to actinic, 12 Jul (JRMi); Romsey, one, 26 May (MB); Broughton, one, to actinic, 21 Sep; one, to actinic, 31 Aug; Kings Somborne, one, to actinic, 26 May; one, to actinic, 08 Sep (GCE); Southampton, one, 24 May (MEdg); Eastleigh, one, to actinic, 24 May; one, to actinic, 12 Sep (KArb); Ashley, one, to actinic, 26 May (GCE); Botley Wood, one, 18 Sep (F.M.G.); Fareham, one, to actinic, 09 Jul (MLO); Botley, one, to actinic, 11 Aug; one, to actinic, 27 May; one, to actinic, 03 Jun; one, to actinic, 13 Aug; one, to actinic, 28 Sep (SLB); Burton, nr Christchurch, one, 02 Jun (JSw);

VC12: Anna Valley, Andover, one, 26 May; one, 02 Jun (TJN); Goodworth Clatford, one, to actinic, 19 Jul; one, to actinic, 06 Sep; one, to actinic, 30 May; one, to actinic, 16 Aug; Crawley, one, to actinic, 09 Jun; Barton Stacey, one, to actinic, 27 May; two, to actinic, 19 May; Bullington, one, to actinic, 20 Sep; Wonston , one, to actinic, 20 Sep (GCE); Ecchinswell, one, 22 Jun (MJN); Cliddesden, five, 30 May; Basingstoke, two, 24 Jun; one, 26 Jun (MJW); three, 26 May; one, 16 Jul (RHil); Pamber Forest, one, 17 Jun; one, 26 Aug (GJD); Alton, one, to actinic, 14 Sep (BCA); Farnborough, one, 18 May (KBW)