72.076 [B&F: 2451] Clifden Nonpareil (Blue Underwing) Catocala fraxini (Linnaeus, 1758) - Recent colonist

A species that was a rare immigrant, temporarily established in Kent and the Norfolk Broads in the past, but which since c. 2005 now appears be making a comeback as a resident species in places. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight historically a rare immigrant with up to 1995 about twenty records altogether. Since 2006, the species has started to be recorded more regularly, for example, at Ventnor and Totland on the Island, and at Brockenhurst in the New Forest, and sightings have increased year on year. It is almost certainly resident in a number of localities across southern England (including our area) and while there is the possibility that some of these individuals may have originally originated from deliberate release of captive stock, it is most likely that most populations originate from migrants remaining to breed in this country. Wingspan male 84-100 mm, female 98-112 mm. The original name for this species, Blue Underwing, sums up the identification criteria nicely! Larva feeds on Aspen, no evidence of breeding in the UK.

Record Details

VC11: Blashford Lakes HIWWT NR, one, field obs., 20 Sep (PWhtk); Marchwood, one, 17 Sep; one, 14 Oct (CTha); North Baddesley, one, 18 Oct (RWPas); Romsey, one, 24 Sep; one, 01 Nov (NRJ); Botley Wood, one, 19 Oct (AMD); one, 01 Nov (F.M.G.); Waterlooville, one, 07 Oct; one, 24 Oct (DWhe); Sway, one, 01 Oct (SKee); Lymington, one, 09 Oct; one, 11 Oct; one, 18 Oct (ASH);

VC12: Over Wallop, one, field obs., 12 Sep (CMap); Bransbury, one, field obs., 29 Aug (EGle); North Waltham, one, 22 Sep (AJon); Passfield Common, Bordon, present, field obs., 10 Oct (iNat); Farnham, dead, present, indoors, 02 Sep (Bird); dead, present, indoors, 10 Sep; present, field obs., , 10 Sep (iNat)

72.078 [B&F: 2452] Red Underwing Catocala nupta (Linnaeus, 1767) - Common

Common in woodland, parks, scrub, marshes and gardens throughout much of England and Wales. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight The most widely distributed of the Catocala group, but less so than formerly. Not particularly attracted to light, which may result in it being under-recorded, but it isn't seen by day resting on tree-trunks in the profusion of a few decades back. Wingspan 75-94 mm. The most likely confusion species are the very much less common Light Crimson Underwing C. promissa and Dark Crimson Underwing C. sponsa, in both of which the subterminal line is strongly dentate, and Rosy Underwing C. electa, in which the forewing is uniformly pale grey, without ochreous tint, the reniform stigma less clearly defined and the postmedian line more strongly dentate subcostally, with a costally directed tooth (MBGBI Vol 10). Larva feeds on Black Poplar, White Poplar, Aspen, Crack Willow and White Willow, over-wintering as an egg.

Record Details

VC11: Poulner, Ringwood, two, field obs., 31 Aug (PWhtk); Marchwood, one, 19 Sep; one, 08 Sep (CTha); Paultons Park, Romsey, present, field obs., 15 Oct; Testwood Lakes, present, field obs., , 10 Aug (iNat); Romsey, one, field obs., 15 Oct (KPea); Lee-on-Solent, one, 31 Aug; one, 08 Sep (IHrg); Worlds End, Denmead, one, field obs., 16 Aug; one, field obs., 30 Aug (MHarg); Lovedean, one, 23 Sep (ARJa); Strouden Park, Bournemouth, present, field obs., , 24 Aug (Unkn.); Hengistbury, Bournemouth, present, field obs., , 11 Aug (SOD); Hengistbury Head, one, field obs., 07 Aug (BKin); Sinah Common, Hayling, one, field obs., 20 Aug (BHed); Hayling Island, present, field obs., , 20 Aug (JHed);

VC12: Andover, one, field obs., 29 Aug (TJN); Itchen Abbas, present, field obs., , 01 Sep (iNat); Farnborough, one, 23 Aug (MThmp)

72.079 [B&F: 2453] Rosy Underwing Catocala electa (Vieweg, 1790) - Vagrant/Accidental

Rare immigrant from southern Europe, appearing in southern England irregularly in the 20th Century. In the past two decades occurrences have been almost annual and signs that it may be on the verge of local colonisation. In our area, there have been six recorded on the Isle of Wight since 2009. Surprisingly, Hampshire had to wait until 2022 for the first mainland record, and in line with national trends it appears to becoming more regular on an annual basis. Wingspan 65-80 mm. The main confusion species are the very much more common Red Underwing C. nupta, which has the forewing more mottled and fasciae less deeply dentate, hindwing with dark marginal band somewhat narrower and its distal edge more irregular, and Dark Crimson Underwing C. sponsa, which has the forewing darker with reniform stigma large and pale (MBGBI Vol 10). Larva feeds on Grey Willow, Crack Willow, Black Poplar and White Poplar.

Record Details

VC11: Lymington, one, 02 Sep; one, 03 Sep; one, 14 Sep (MWhi det. ASH)

72.081 [B&F: 2455] Dark Crimson Underwing Catocala sponsa (Linnaeus, 1767) - Nationally Rare

A vulnerable Red Data Book species, in ancient oak woodland in parts of New Forest, also appearing as a migrant in the south, a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Confined as a breeding species to the New Forest in Hampshire. Formerly there were colonies in south Wiltshire until at least 1949. Occasional specimens reported from elsewhere in southern England, including several from north Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, are believed to be migrating or dispersing individuals. Wingspan 58-78 mm. The most likely confusion species are Red Underwing C. nupta and Light Crimson Underwing C. promissa, which see for differences. Larva feeds on Pedunculate Oak and Sessile Oak, over-wintering as an egg.

Record Details

VC11: Romsey, two, 08 Sep (MJB); Baffins, Portsmouth, one, 04 Aug (RTof); Hengistbury Head, one, 30 Jul (MJef);

VC12: Goodworth Clatford, one, photograph taken., 28 Jul; Wherwell, one, photograph taken., 28 Jul; Cole Henley, one, 10 Aug (GCE); Whitehill, Bordon, one, 01 Aug (ASto); Southwood Woodlands, Rushmoor, one, field obs., 19 Jul (MThmp)

72.082 [B&F: 2454] Light Crimson Underwing Catocala promissa ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) - Nationally Rare

A once rare but now increasing species, associated with ancient oak woodland in parts of southern England, a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. At the turn of the century it was very much confined to the New Forest and two large woodlands in south Wiltshire, with occasional records from elsewhere in southern England, which may have resulted from internal dispersal or migration from the continent. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight the 21st century has seen increasing scattered records throughout the county, still centred on the New Forest but now appearing well away from the historical locus here, likely to be a result of increased immigration from across the Channel and localised breeding in new locations. Wingspan 50-66 mm. The most likely confusion species are Red Underwing C. nupta and Dark Crimson Underwing C. sponsa, and best distinguished from this by the shallow ‘W’ shape of the black postmedian cross-band of the hindwing. C. sponsa is larger (a subjective characteristic unless both seen together), and generally has a darker, more uniformly coloured forewing, with fewer patches of white scales near reniform stigma. Larva feeds on Pedunculate Oak and Sessile Oak, over-wintering as an egg.

Record Details

VC11: North Poulner, Ringwood, present, , 18 Aug (ASho); Linford Bottom, one, 05 Aug (CLew); Marchwood, one, 24 Jul; two, 30 Jul (TDCh); Cromarty Pond area, Lord's Hill, one, 02 Aug (JClx); Mottisfont Abbey NT, nr Romsey, one, 20 Jul (TSto); Romsey, one, 22 Jul; one, 05 Aug; one, 10 Aug (NRJ); Dibden Purlieu, one, 16 Aug (RAC); Blackfield, one, 19 Jul; one, 01 Aug (SJJ); Swaythling, Southampton, one, 02 Aug; one, 10 Aug (MEdg); Chandlers Ford, one, 07 Aug (MWelf); Allbrook, one, 10 Aug (SIng); Fareham, one, 22 Jul; one, 23 Aug (ADT); Waterlooville, one, 12 Jul; one, 15 Jul; one, 17 Jul; one, 26 Jul; two, 30 Jul; one, 13 Aug (DWhe); Lovedean, one, 01 Sep (ARJa); St Georges Drive, Bransgore, one, 11 Aug (SPMC); Sway, one, 02 Aug; one, 10 Aug (SKee);

VC12: Goodworth Clatford, one, photograph taken., 14 Jul; one, photograph taken., 28 Jul (GCE); Grayshott, two, 02 Aug (THard det. MJW); Cole Henley, one, 10 Aug; one, 10 Aug (GCE); Ecchinswell, one, 30 Jul; one, 01 Sep (MJN); Great Haughurst Copse, Axmansford, one, 02 Jul; one, 19 Jul (ACB); Basingstoke, one, photo, 29 Jul (RHil); Basingstoke: Crabtree Plantation, one, 24 Jul (BGD); Upper Inhams Copse, Pamber Forest, one, 29 Jul (GJD); Selborne, one, 26 Jul (CJP); Whitehill, Bordon, one, 20 Jul; one, 31 Jul (ASto); Bordon, larva, one, field obs., email 30/05/24, 23 May (MEdg); Hammer Vale, Woolmer, two, 01 Aug; two, 05 Aug; one, 15 Aug; one, 23 Aug; one, 25 Aug (ASwa); Farnborough, one, 22 Jul (MThmp); one, first record for the garden, 03 Jul (KBW);

Bordon
23/05/2024
Field observation
Mark Edgeller
Photo © Mark Edgeller

72.083 [B&F: 2463] Burnet Companion Euclidia glyphica (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common

Common in grassland, flower meadows, downland, woodland rides, roadside verges and embankments throughout England, Wales and Ireland. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 28-32 mm. Unmistakable. Day-flying. Larva feeds on White and Red Clover, Common Bird's-foot Trefoil, Black Medick, Lucerne and Tufted Vetch, over-wintering as a pupa.

Record Summary

VC10: Earliest: Appley Park, 01 Jun, 1 (IOu) Max count: Appley Park, 01 Jun, 1 (IOu)

VC11: Earliest: Oxenbourne Down, 01 May, 1 (AdJon) Latest: Old Winchester Hill, 21 Jun, 1 (AMD) Max count: Deacon Hill, 24 May, 5 (AJB)

VC12: Earliest: Magdalen Hill Down NNR, 30 Apr, 1 (CRB) Latest: Froyle: chalk quarry, 01 Aug, 1 (BPC) Max count: Blacknest, Binstead, 23 May, 6 (SWom)

72.084 [B&F: 2462] Mother Shipton Callistege mi (Clerck, 1759) - Common

Common in open grassland, heathland, moorland, woodland rides and roadside verges throughout much of England, Wales and southern Scotland. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight this diurnal species is locally fairly common on downland, in rough grassland and waste places where clovers and trefoils or lucerne occur. Wingspan 30-34 mm. Day-flying. Named after old Mother Shipton, a 16th-century Yorkshire witch. Larva feeds on White Clover, Red Clover, Hare's-foot Clover, Black Medick, Lucerne and Common Bird's-foot Trefoil, over-wintering as a pupa.

Record Details

VC10: High Down: Main Bench, one, field obs., 23 Jun (PBard);

VC11: Hale Purlieu, NF, present, , 24 May (JPuz); Broughton Down HIWWT NR, one, field obs., 08 May (NBur); one, field obs., 08 Jun (BRob); Broughton Down, two, field obs., 18 May (NRJ); Pignal Inclosure, NF, one, field obs., 19 May (AJB, LB); Cromarty Pond area, Lord's Hill, two, field obs., 17 May; four, field obs., 17 Jun (JClx); Ridges Grove NT, one, field obs., 11 May; one, field obs., 16 May (AJB); Ashlett, two, field obs., 23 May (PGS); Old Cemetery, Southampton, one, field obs., 10 Jun (PAB); Peartree Green LNR, Southampton, one, field obs., 02 Jun; Miller's Pond, Sholing, one, field obs., 02 Jun; Botany Bay, Sholing, one, field obs., 08 Jun (NBur); Thornhill, Southampton, one, field obs., 19 May (PAB); West Wood, two, field obs., 10 May (AJB, LB); Farley Mount CP, one, field obs., 20 May (SEG); Yew Hill LNR, Winchester, one, field obs., 02 Jun (NBur); Deacon Hill, one, field obs., 16 Jun; one, field obs., 19 May; one, field obs., 16 Jun (CSull); Swanwick Lakes HIWWT NR, one, field obs., 31 May; one, field obs., 31 May (NBur); Bishop's Waltham, one, field obs., 15 May (DTru); Paulsgrove, Portsmouth, present, 09 Jun (TSto); Old Winchester Hill NNR, one, field obs., 02 Jun (PPir); present, field obs., , 08 Jun (iNat); Hengistbury Head, one, field obs., 23 May (CWha); Exbury Gardens, NF, one, field obs., 06 Jun (RGol);

VC12: Leckford Old Golf Course, one, field obs., 20 May (GCE); Stockbridge Down, one, field obs., 12 May (SPym); Pilot Hill, Faccombe, one, field obs., 15 May (GSut); Magdalen Hill Down NNR, one, field obs., 11 May (CRB); one, field obs., 20 May (NGoo); one, field obs., 17 May (SRei,MTho); one, field obs., 20 May (DSte); Beggarwood Park, Basingstoke, two, field obs., 20 May (DJew,DFee); Tidgrove Warren,nr Overton, one, field obs., 10 May; one, field obs., 16 May (ACB); Ashford Hill Meadows NNR, six, field obs., 15 May; one, field obs., 17 Jun (LoWoo); one, field obs., 25 May (ACB); one, field obs., 15 May (LoWoo); Basingstoke: Down Grange Meadow, one, field obs., 13 Aug (BGD); Little London, one, field obs., email 110524, 11 May (PSte); Pamber Forest, one, field obs., 17 May (GJD); Selborne, one, field obs., 17 May (CJP); Shortheath Common, Oakhanger, one, field obs., 20 May (NPat); Blacknest, Binstead, two, field obs., 19 May; three, field obs., 23 May (SWom); Bramshott Common, one, field obs., 20 May; one, field obs., 04 Jun; one, field obs., 12 May; one, field obs., 04 Jun; one, field obs., 04 Jun (AGre); West Minley, two, field obs., 17 May; one, field obs., 17 May (AJB); Ancells and Foxlease Meadows, present, field obs., 25 May (PCur); Foxlease South, Rushmoor, one, field obs., 13 May; Foxlease Meadows, Rushmoor, one, field obs., 17 May (AJB); Southwood, Rushmoor, present, 02 Jun (MThmp)