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is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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 on sand-dunes and shingle beaches along the coasts of England, Wales and eastern Scotland, and inland on calcareous grassland in southern England. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight now a rare species, more or less confined to coastal localities and a few on the chalk, but occasional wanderers turn up at light away from established populations. Wingspan 34-41 mm. The most likely confusion species is Orange Sallow Xanthia citrago, which has forewing with antemedian and median fasciae almost straight and hindwing without black markings (MBGBI Vol 10). Larva feeds on flowers and seeds of Common Restharrow, Spiny Restharrow, Henbane and Sea Sandwort, over-wintering as a pupa.
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 213 | 253 | 1856 | 2023 |
| 11 | 433 | 471 | 1945 | 2023 |
| 12 | 33 | 23 | 1945 | 2023 |
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
VC11: Sholing, one, 24 Jun (ARC); Portsmouth, one, 31 May; one, 02 Jun (IRT)
Immigrant from mainland Europe, appearing in the south, with records north to Shetland. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight a fairly common migrant, which often produces a locally-bred generation. Larvae can be found on coastal shingle on Sticky Groundsel and sometimes on garden marigolds. Wingspan 34-42 mm. The most likely confusion species is Scarce Bordered Straw Helicoverpa armigera, which see for differences. Larva feeds on flowers of Common Restharrow, Ploughman's-spikenard, Scentless Mayweed and Sticky Groundsel, unable to over-winter in significant numbers.
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 188 | 601 | 1947 | 2022 |
| 11 | 694 | 774 | 1945 | 2023 |
| 12 | 135 | 145 | 1951 | 2023 |
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
VC11: Roe Inclosure, NF, three, field obs., 06 Aug (MCurn); Lymington, one, 28 Jan (ASH)
A moderately frequent immigrant from southern Europe, north to Shetland. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight recorded in small numbers in most years, although the outstanding migrant year of 2006 saw over 320 individuals recorded. Wingspan 30-40 mm. The main confusion species are Bordered Straw Heliothis peltigera, which has forewing with a distinctive marginal dot above the tornus, and with reniform stigma usually joined to the costa by a dark triangular wedge, and Eastern Bordered Straw Heliothis nubigera, which has forewing more mottled, subterminal band more indented, and pronounced marginal dots (MBGBI Vol 10). Larva polyphagous, most likely to be found in Britain on imported fruit and cut flowers, but in its native range can be of commerical importance damaging crops such as Tomato and Maize.
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 282 | 1145 | 1981 | 2023 |
| 11 | 612 | 789 | 1951 | 2023 |
| 12 | 188 | 257 | 1951 | 2023 |
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 6 | 27 | 9 |
| 11 | 67 | 72 | 4 |
| 12 | 14 | 20 | 6 |
VC10: Freshwater Bay, nine, 04 Nov; three, 09 Nov (SDav); Whitwell Road, Ventnor, nine, 15 Oct; one, 02 Nov; one, 03 Nov; six, 04 Nov; six, 05 Nov; four, 10 Nov (MGT); Little Duxmore, present, 10 Oct (HMak); Shanklin, two, 09 Oct; one, 23 Oct; two, 30 Oct; three, 01 Nov; one, 04 Nov; four, 06 Nov; four, 10 Nov (IOu);
VC11: Blashford Lakes HIWWT NR, one, 02 Nov; one, 09 Nov (PWhtk); North Poulner, Ringwood, present, 25 Oct (ASho); Marchwood, one, 03 Nov; one, 05 Nov (TDCh); one, 30 Sep; two, 05 Nov (CTha); North Baddesley, one, 24 Oct (RWPas); Romsey, present, 17 Oct; one, 06 Sep; present, 07 Sep; one, 16 Oct (SRC); one, 01 Sep; one, 08 Sep (MJB); one, 31 Oct (NRJ); Dibden Purlieu, one, 30 Sep; one, 24 Oct; one, 03 Nov (RAC); Sholing, one, 01 Sep; one, 09 Oct; one, 26 Oct (ARC); Allbrook, one, 24 Oct; Highbridge, Eastleigh, one, 01 Nov (SIng); Brownwich Cliffs, Titchfield, one, 16 Aug; two, 25 Oct (F.M.G.); Stubbington, one, 02 Nov (DPH); Lee-on-Solent, one, 01 Sep (IHrg); Fareham, one, 14 Oct; one, 15 Oct; one, 28 Oct; one, 29 Oct (ADT); one, 28 Aug (MLO); Botley, one, 15 Oct; one, 24 Dec; one, 11 Oct; one, 15 Oct (SLB); Portchester, one, 21 Oct; one, 31 Oct; one, 01 Nov (CEH, JGS); Portsmouth, one, 02 Jun (IRT); Waterlooville, one, 22 Sep; one, 24 Sep; one, 01 Oct; one, 07 Oct; one, 24 Oct; one, 27 Oct; four, 28 Oct (DWhe); Lovedean, one, 18 Oct; one, 07 Nov (ARJa); Northney, Hayling Island, present, 30 Sep; present, 01 Oct (JWP); Bournemouth, one, 13 Sep (TGG); Hurn, one, 01 Sep; one, 06 Oct (MJef); Christchurch: Cross Way, two, 14 Oct; two, 24 Oct (LPyk); Hengistbury Head NNR, one, 06 Oct (MJef); one, 23 Oct (RPH); Hengistbury Head, three, 05 Oct (MJef); Burton, nr Christchurch, one, 31 Oct (JStw); St Georges Drive, Bransgore, one, 24 Oct (SPMC); Sway, one, 09 Sep; one, 15 Oct; one, 16 Oct; two, 27 Oct; one, 28 Oct; one, 29 Oct (SKee);
VC12: Cholderton, six, 24 Oct; three, 28 Oct (TJN); Chilbolton, one, 23 Oct (GCE); Magdalen Hill Down NR, one, 01 Oct (AMD); Basingstoke, one, 11 Oct (MJW); Alton, one, 08 Aug; one, 14 Oct (DBO); Windmill Hill, Chalton, one, 05 Oct; one, 06 Oct; present, 23 Oct; Selborne, one, 15 Oct (CJP); Hammer Vale, Woolmer, one, 30 Sep; one, 28 Oct (ASwa); Farnborough, one, 20 Oct (KBW)