2022 Annual Report for: Heliozelidae / Heliozelinae

For species seen in 2022 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is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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 2022 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 2022, 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.

06.002 [B&F: 0159] Antispila petryi Martini, 1899 - Local

Local in woodland, and on downland and scrubland throughout southern England, north to Yorkshire. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight not uncommon where the foodplant grows, recorded mostly as vacated mines and leaf cut-outs. Wingspan 6 mm. May be separated from the other Cornus feeding Antispila A. metallella by its smaller size, darker and less coppery ground colour, the shape of the pre-apical spot, the colour pattern of the terminal cilia and the paler and less purple hindwings (MBGBI Vol 1). Larva mines leaves of Dogwood, subsequently living within a movable case, and over-wintering as a pupa. The mines are described in the following link:
leafmines.co.uk
.

Van Nieukerken et al (Nota Lepidopterologica 41, 2018) documented that the Cornus feeding Antispila species was in fact A. petryi (not previously on the British List) and not A. treitschkiella as previously assigned; therefore all historic records of A. treitschkiella have now been reassigned to petryi. True Antispila treitschkiella has only been found in the UK in London (2016). It feeds on Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas) and has two generations a year.

The forewing costal spot is usually triangular in treitschkiella, whereas it is trapezoid in petryi, but the two are best distinguished by male genitalia, larva and hostplant.

Leaf-mines can be found in August to October, the larva eating out a short gallery leading to a blotch, then cutting an oval case.

Link to article on the discovery of A. treitschkiella in Britain

Reference:van Nieukerken, Lees, Doorenweerd, Koster, Bryner, Schreurs, Martijn, Timmermans, Sattler (2018), Two European Cornus L. feeding leafmining moths, Antispila petryi Martini, 1899, sp. rev. and A. treitschkiella (Fischer von Raslerstamm, 1843) (Lepidoptera, Heliozelidae): an unjustified synonymy and overlooked range expansion, Nota Lepi. 41(1) 2018: 398.

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10351019182020
11543619762021
12263119402019

2022 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10122

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: Lower Hamstead, mine, two, on Dogwood, 27 Jul (KRyl)

06.003 [B&F: 0154] Heliozela sericiella (Haworth, 1828) - Local

Local in woodland, heathland and scrubland throughout much of England and Wales; rare in Scotland and Ireland. Probably under-recorded in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight, where the extent of known records correlate with those areas in which the recording effort is concentrated. Wingspan 6-8 mm. The adults emerge in May and are sometimes to be seen flying in numbers round the lower branches of oaks and over the surrounding undergrowth (MBGBI Vol 1). Adults are day-flying, and the species is more frequently recorded in the larval stage, when mines are relatively easy to find where they are present. Larva mines twigs and leaves of Oak, over-wintering as a pupa. The mines are described in the following link:
leafmines.co.uk
.

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
1012619292020
11857919732017
122823319402019

2022 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
12111

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC12: Pamber Forest, one, swept, 21 May (BGD)

06.004 [B&F: 0156] Heliozela resplendella (Stainton, 1851) - Local

Local on fens, marshes and river-banks in Britain, as far north as Perthshire. Probably under-recorded in Hampshire, where the extent of known records correlate with those areas in which the recording effort is concentrated; distinctly uncommon on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 5-7 mm. Adults are day-flying, and the species is more frequently recorded in the larval stage, when mines are relatively easy to find where they are present. Larva mines leaves of Alder, over-wintering as a pupa. The mines are described in the following link:
leafmines.co.uk
.

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
109319262020
11463119822019
121411419812020

2022 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11311
12111

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Titchfield Common, vacated mine, one, on alder, 07 Jul; Titchfield Common: Kites Croft LNR, vacated mine, present, 07 Jul; Titchfield Haven Canal Path, vacated mine, present, 19 Oct (DPH);

VC12: Fleet Pond, mine, one, 28 Jun (MHals)

06.005 [B&F: 0157] Heliozela hammoniella Sorhagen, 1885 - Local

Local on heathland, scrubland and fens in Britain as far north as the Lake District. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight restricted to a handful of sites, mainly in the south of the county, notably Botley Wood and Emer Bog, and very rare in the north and on the Island. Wingspan 5-7 mm. Adults are day-flying, and the species is more frequently recorded in the larval stage, when mines are relatively easy to find where they are present. Larva mines twigs and leaves of Birch, over-wintering as a pupa. The mines are described in the following link:
leafmines.co.uk
.

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
106019771977
11271619812013
1265120012020

2022 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11752
12111

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Botley Wood, vacated mine, one, on birch, 02 Jul; vacated mine, one, vacated mine on birch, edge of meadow east of the substation, 09 Jul; mine, two, 2 mines, one lacking the cutout and presumably tenanted, 03 Jul; vacated mine, present, different area to the 2 recorded on 03/07/2022, 09 Jul (DPH); vacated mine, one, on birch, 09 Jul (DWal det. DPH); Whiteley, mine, present, 02 Jul; vacated mine, present, 30 Jul (DPH);

VC12: Fleet Pond, mine, one, 15 Aug (MHals)