For species seen in 2024 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is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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 2024 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 2024, 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.
Local in woodland throughout England and Wales as far north as the Lake District and Northumberland. Uncommon in Hampshire, where absent from the south-west and north-east, and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 8-11 mm. Adults have purple markings on a metallic golden ground and orange head tufts. The larval food is apparently unknown, various alternatives have been suggested, including the pollen of oak, sycamore and other plants, minute particles of leaf litter, and fungal hyphae; larvae have been found up to 10cm deep in stony woodland soil.
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 24 | 120 | 1978 | 2022 |
| 11 | 39 | 44 | 1900 | 2020 |
| 12 | 28 | 39 | 1950 | 2023 |
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
VC11: Romsey, one, 30 Apr (NRJ)
Nationally scarce (Nb) in very wet woodland, fens, marshes, river-banks and other freshwater margins throughout much of England. Restricted in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to the Leckford area, until 2023 when it was discovered in the north-east of the county Wingspan 7-9 mm. Fairly unmistakable. The larval food is apparently unknown.
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1 | 0 | 1947 | 1947 |
| 12 | 9 | 15 | 1974 | 2023 |
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
VC12: Rye Common, three, field obs., 04 May (AMD)
Common throughout the British Isles, excluding Orkney and Shetland, in generally dry habitats such as downland and hillsides (unlike its congeners which are mainly woodland species), feeding on the pollen of many herbaceous plants and hawthorn. Fairly widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 6-8 mm. Fairly unmistakable. Larva feeds on various liverworts and detritus.
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 35 | 63 | 1929 | 2021 |
| 11 | 91 | 258 | 1968 | 2023 |
| 12 | 75 | 253 | 1940 | 2023 |
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 6 | 13 | 3 |
VC11: Nr Shepton Bridge, NF, three, field obs., 08 May; three, field obs., 10 May (RAC); Cromarty Pond area, Lord's Hill, two, field obs., 17 May (JClx); Wildern LNR, Hedge End, two, field obs., 19 Jun (TCrw); two, field obs., 07 May (DAS); Flagpond Copse, Wickham, one, field obs., 01 Jun (DPH)
Common in damp woodland, woodland rides and woodland clearings throughout Britain and Ireland, often swarming on flowers of a wide range of herbaceous plants, such as buttercup, sedges and dog's mercury, feeding on the pollen. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight well distributed and fairly common, sometimes abundant. Wingspan 7-10 mm. Adults have metallic bronze forewings with purple blotch at base, and orange head tufts. Larva feeds on plant detritus and also, perhaps, various liverworts.
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 49 | 320 | 1929 | 2022 |
| 11 | 205 | 2910 | 1972 | 2023 |
| 12 | 161 | 3627 | 1974 | 2023 |
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 7 | 22 | 10 |
| 12 | 2 | 6 | 5 |
VC10: Ashey, five, field obs., 15 May (IOu);
VC11: Cromarty Pond area, Lord's Hill, eight, field obs., 17 May (JClx); Holbury, Southampton, present, field obs., , 25 May (iNat); Wildern LNR, Hedge End, four, field obs., 17 Apr (TCrw); Highbridge, Eastleigh, 10, field obs., on buttercup flowers, 18 May (SIng); The Moors NR, Bishop's Waltham, present, field obs., 20 Apr; present, field obs., on buttercups. , 18 May; present, field obs., on leaf of Yellow Iris. , 20 Apr (DTru);
VC12: Hammer Bridge, Woolmer, one, field obs., 08 May; five, field obs., 15 May (ASwa)