73.001 [B&F: 2450] Spectacle Abrostola tripartita (Hufnagel, 1766) - Common

Common in gardens, heathland, rough grassland, fens, woodland edges and waste ground throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 34-38 mm. The main confusion species is Dark Spectacle A. triplasia, which see. Larva feeds on Stinging Nettle, over-wintering as a pupa.

Record Summary

VC10: Earliest: Shanklin, 13 Apr, 1 (IOu) Latest: Shanklin Upper Chine, 02 Sep, 2 (IOu) Max count: Freshwater Bay, 01 Aug, 3 (SDav)

VC11: Earliest: Lee, 09 Apr, 1 (CTha) Latest: Lovedean, 07 Oct, 1 (ARJa) Max count: Sway, 13 Aug, 5 (SKee)

VC12: Earliest: Basingstoke, 07 May, 1 (MJW) Latest: Basingstoke, 24 Oct, 1 (MJW) Max count: Goodworth Clatford, 03 Aug, 11 (WLid, TJN, LFom)

73.002 [B&F: 2449] Dark Spectacle Abrostola triplasia (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common

Common in a wide range of habitats, including river-banks, hedgerows and gardens throughout the British Isles, but rare in Scotland; far less numerous and less widely distributed in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight than Spectacle A. tripartita. Wingspan 34-40 mm. Similar to A. tripartita, but ground-colour is brownish black, base of forewing is dull straw or reddish brown and cross-lines are edged with reddish brown (MBGBI Vol 10). Larva feeds on Stinging Nettle and Hop, over-wintering as a pupa.

Record Summary

VC10: Earliest: Bonchurch, 28 May, 1 (JHa) Latest: Shanklin, 09 Oct, 1 (IOu) Max count: Shanklin Upper Chine, 02 Sep, 2 (IOu)

VC11: Earliest: Marchwood, 11 May, 1 (TDCh) Latest: Romsey, 16 Oct, 1 (SRC) Max count: Hurn, 02 Sep, 4 (MJef)

VC12: Earliest: Basingstoke, 26 Jun, 1 (MJW) Latest: North Waltham, 22 Sep, 1 (AJon) Max count: Goodworth Clatford, 03 Aug, 3 (WLid, TJN, LFom)

73.008 [B&F: 2428] Golden Twin-spot Chrysodeixis chalcites (Esper, [1803]) - Migrant

Immigrant from southern Europe, appearing in southern England: up to 1980, there were about 18 records, all in September and October, between 1980 and 2001 over 100 specimens were recorded. In 1977 and 1978 some 20 larvae or pupae were found on house plants imported from the Canary Islands and Kenya. The first in our area was in 1965, on Wight, and there have been 8 further records on the island, five this century. In Hampshire the first was in 1981, with an increase in recent years: all but two have been since 2014 Wingspan 33-44 mm. The most likely confusion species is Tunbridge Wells Gem C. acuta, which see for differences. Larva feeds on a wide variety of plants.

Record Details

VC10: Freshwater Bay, one, 04 Nov (SDav); Bonchurch, one, trapped n/o 31 July (JH/MH), 31 Jul (JHa det. IOu);

VC11: Funtley, one, 30 Nov (TDC); Portsmouth, one, new to the garden, 29 Oct (IRT); Northney, Hayling Island, present, 09 Aug (JWP)

73.010 [B&F: 2436] Dewick's Plusia Macdunnoughia confusa (Stephens, 1850) - Recent colonist

Historically a rare immigrant from mainland Europe, appearing in south-eastern England for the first time at Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, on 3 October 1951. From about 1920 had spread rapidly into Western Europe from the central Palaearctic, and has been seen increasingly in Britain, especially in the last ten years. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight recorded for the first time in August 1991, and then again in 1998, 1999 and 2001 (the first for Wight); 2003 to 2006 saw a further six, with another six in 2007, 11 in 2008 and another six in 2009. This pattern has been maintained up to the present year and increasingly extending its range across the county, which may be originating from the London population spreading west. Wingspan 32-38 mm. Fairly distinctive. Larva feeds on herbaceous plants such as Stinging Nettle, Yarrow, Corn Chamomile, Stinking Chamomile and Wormwood; breeding has been confirmed in Middlesex and is probably established elsewhere.

Record Details

VC11: Swaythling, Southampton, one, 30 Jul (MEdg); Sholing, one, 29 Jul (ARC); Allbrook, one, 28 Jul; one, 18 Sep (SIng); Titchfield, one, field obs., 17 Jul (LHar det. JPol); Fareham, one, 02 Oct (IMcP); one, 04 Oct (MLO); Botley, one, 15 Oct (SLB); Portchester, one, 12 Jul (DH-J); Portsmouth, one, 24 May (IRT); Northney, Hayling Island, present, 01 Aug; present, 15 Aug; present, 29 Aug; present, 02 Sep; present, 06 Oct (JWP); Hengistbury Head NNR, one, 15 Sep (HengistH det. MJef); Burton, nr Christchurch, one, 17 May (JStw); Lymington, one, 05 Oct (ASH);

VC12: Morn Hill, Winchester, one, 18 Sep (CRB,PDF,DAS,CJP); Windmill Hill, Chalton, one, 18 Sep (CJP); Odiham, one, 23 Sep (JuPat);

73.012 [B&F: 2434] Burnished Brass Diachrysia chrysitis (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common

Common in a wide variety of habitats, including gardens, hedgerows, river-banks, fens, woodland edges and rough grassland throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 35-43 mm. Superficially resembles the rare immigrant Slender Burnished Brass Thysanoplusia orichalcea and nationally scarce Scarce Burnished Brass Diachrysia chryson, which see for differences. Larva feeds on Stinging Nettle, White Dead-nettle, Wild Marjoram, Lesser Burdock and Spear Thistle.

Record Summary

VC10: Earliest: Shanklin, 26 May, 1 (IOu) Latest: Shanklin Upper Chine, 02 Sep, 4 (IOu) Max count: Haseley Manor, 16 Jun, 6 (IOu)

VC11: Earliest: Highbridge, Eastleigh, 17 May, 1 (SIng) Latest: Funtley, 07 Oct, 1 (TDC) Max count: Hurn, 30 Aug, 7 (MJef)

VC12: Earliest: North Waltham, 06 Jun, 1 (AJon) Latest: Upper Inhams Copse, Pamber Forest, 03 Oct, 2 (GJD) Max count: Morn Hill, Winchester, 17 Aug, 8 (CRB, PDF, DAS, LHur)

73.015 [B&F: 2441] Silver Y Autographa gamma (Linnaeus, 1758) - Migrant

Common immigrant from mainland Europe, appearing throughout the British Isles, in most years arriving in sufficient numbers to breed. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight sometimes abundant, with numbers boosted, in good years, by the offspring of earlier migrants. Wingspan 40-48 mm. A familiar and conspicuous moth, often seen by day nectaring in a wide range of habitats, when confusion with Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum is possible. Larva polyphagous on plants such as Stinging Nettle, Hedge Bedstraw, Clover, brassicas and legumes, causing sufficient damage to be a serious pest in some areas; unable to over-winter in significant numbers.

Record Summary

VC10: Earliest: Shanklin, 03 Jan, 1 (IOu) Latest: Shanklin, 10 Nov, 1 (IOu) Max count: Shanklin, 24 Jul, 16 (IOu)

VC11: Earliest: Dibden Purlieu, 12 Mar, 1 (RAC) Latest: Christchurch: Cross Way, 30 Nov, 1 (LPyk) Max count: Queen Elizabeth CP, 12 May, 51 (SJDa)

VC12: Earliest: Windmill Hill, Chalton, 03 Feb, 1 (CJP) Latest: North Waltham, 30 Nov, 1 (AJon) Max count: Magdalen Hill Down NR, 20 May, 20 (DAS)

73.016 [B&F: 2442] Beautiful Golden Y Autographa pulchrina (Haworth, 1809) - Common

Common in woodland, hedgerows, gardens, scrubby grassland, moorland and heathland throughout the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight fairly widespread and common. Wingspan 36-44 mm. The main confusion species is Plain Golden Y A. jota, in which reniform stigma is indistinct or absent. Larva feeds predominantly on Stinging Nettle, but also on Hedge Woundwort, Common Ragwort, Water Avens and Honeysuckle.

Record Details

VC11: Winter Down Copse, Little Somborne, one, 27 Jun (GCE); Allbrook, one, 23 Jun (SIng); Dean, Bishop's Waltham, present, 18 Jun (CMor); Lovedean, one, 17 Jun (ARJa); Stroud, Petersfield, two, 11 Jul (RAll);

VC12: Cole Henley, one, 25 Jun; one, 25 Jun (GCE); Bentley Station Meadow, two, 04 Jul (NDP, KBW)

73.017 [B&F: 2443] Plain Golden Y Autographa jota (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common

Common in a wide range of habitats, including woodland, downland, hedgerows and gardens throughout the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight fairly widespread and common. Wingspan 39-45 mm. The main confusion species is Beautiful Golden Y A. pulchrina, in which reniform stigma dark purplish brown, dorsal half at least finely outlined pale golden (MBGBI Vol 10). Larva feeds on a wide variety of plants, including Stinging Nettle, White Dead-nettle, Red Dead-nettle, Hogweed and Honeysuckle.

Record Details

VC12: Morn Hill, Winchester, two, 22 Jun (CRB,DAS,PDF); North Waltham, one, 29 Jun (AJon); Chawton, one, 04 Jul (DAS)

73.022 [B&F: 2439] Gold Spot Plusia festucae (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common

Common in marshes, fens, woodland rides and upland grassland, and on heathland, moorland and river-banks throughout the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight an uncommon resident, mainly in coastal marshes and less commonly in the river valleys, occasional wanderers may turn up elsewhere. Wingspan 35-40 mm. The main confusion species, Lempke's Gold Spot P. putnami, is rare in the south of England, and differs in having the more distal of the silver median spots smaller and more rounded, and the subapical silver streak shorter and thicker, but can often only be separated by dissection of the genitalia. Larva feeds on various sedges, including Tufted Sedge and Glaucous Sedge, and other waterside plants.

Record Details

VC10: Totland, one, 11 Aug (AiSmi); Freshwater Bay, one, 01 Aug (SDav); Shanklin, one, 01 Aug; Shanklin Upper Chine, one, 29 Jul (IOu);

VC11: Brockwood, one, 10 Aug (SDut); Linford Bottom, one, 05 Aug (CLew); Fishlake Meadows, one, 12 Aug (NRJ); Allbrook, one, 02 Jun; one, 11 Aug; one, 25 Aug; one, 27 Aug (SIng); Highbridge, Eastleigh, present, field obs., , 03 Aug (iNat); two, 02 Aug (SIng); Brownwich Cliffs, Titchfield, two, 16 Aug (F.M.G.); Botley, one, 09 Aug (SLB); Dean, Bishop's Waltham, present, 12 Aug (CMor); Portsmouth, one, 26 Aug (IRT); Langstone, one, 02 Aug (HuWhi); Northney, Hayling Island, present, 14 May; present, 10 Aug (JWP); Merritown Heath, present, 17 Aug (DFoo); Hurn, one, 25 May; one, 11 Aug; one, 16 Aug (MJef); Christchurch: Cross Way, one, 22 Jul; two, 11 Aug; one, 18 Aug (LPyk); Hengistbury Head NNR, one, 06 Aug (HengistH det. MJef); one, 08 Aug; Hengistbury Head, 13, 30 Jul; Stanpit Marsh LNR, one, 13 Aug (MJef); Burton, nr Christchurch, one, 27 Aug (JStw); Stanpit Marsh LNR, one, 27 Jul (PAB); Hengistbury Head, two, 27 Aug (MJef); Lymington, one, 29 Aug (ASH);

VC12: Wherwell, one, 26 Aug; one, 11 Aug; Chilbolton, one, 15 Aug (GCE); Anna Valley, Andover, one, 10 Aug (TJN); Goodworth Clatford, four, 3 traps, 03 Aug; six, 3 traps, 17 Aug (WLid, TJN, LFom det. TJN); Wherwell, one, 27 Aug; Forton, one, 03 Aug (GCE); Morn Hill, Winchester, one, 17 Aug (CRB, PDF, DAS, LHur); Cheriton, one, 11 Aug (DAS); North Waltham, one, 17 May (AJon)