2024 Annual Report for: Noctuidae / Psaphidinae

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taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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

73.065 [B&F: 2227] Sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx (Hufnagel, 1766) - Common

Common in broad-leaved woodland, gardens, and areas with scattered trees throughout England, a species of conservation concern under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight widely distributed, but not particularly common. Wingspan 38-50 mm. No other similar species has such a late flight period. Larva feeds on Pedunculate Oak, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Hazel, Goat Willow, Small-leaved Elm and Common Lime.

Records prior to 2024

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
1012758019032022
1135156319472023
1227554419502023

2024 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1114162
1212174

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: Little Duxmore, present, 11 Nov (HMak);

VC11: Romsey, one, 31 Oct; one, 03 Nov; two, 05 Nov; one, 09 Nov (NRJ); Ampfield Wood, present, field obs., 23 Oct (iNat); Funtley, one, 06 Nov (TDC); Waterlooville, two, 06 Nov; one, 12 Nov; one, 15 Nov; one, 16 Nov; one, 23 Nov; one, 24 Nov; two, 30 Nov (DWhe); Lovedean, one, 04 Nov (ARJa);

VC12: Chilbolton, one, 29 Oct; one, 04 Nov; one, 08 Nov (GCE); North Waltham, one, 29 Oct; one, 31 Oct; one, 10 Nov (AJon); Ecchinswell, three, 29 Oct; four, 13 Nov (MJN); Pamber Forest, two, 28 Oct; one, 02 Nov; one, 08 Nov (GJD); Abbots Wood Inclosure, Alice Holt Forest, larva, present, field obs., , 01 May (iNat)

73.068 [B&F: 2245] Green-brindled Crescent Allophyes oxyacanthae (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common

Common in broad-leaved woodland, scrub, hedgerows and gardens throughout the British Isles, a species of conservation concern under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight widely distributed, but not particularly common. Wingspan 38-48 mm. Occurs in two forms, and their intermediates, in any shade on a scale from green to brown, but always easy to recognise and unlike any other British moth. Larva feeds on Hawthorn and Blackthorn and, less frequently, other broad-leaved trees and shrubs.

Records prior to 2024

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10359125519792023
111828256519512023
12757131119512023

2024 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10342
1113620211
1228474

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Summary

VC10: Earliest: Shanklin, 09 Oct, 2 (IOu) Latest: Little Duxmore, 11 Nov, 0 (HMak) Max count: Whitwell Road, Ventnor, 05 Nov, 2 (MGT)

VC11: Earliest: Wootton Coppice Inclosure, NF, 12 Apr, 1 (SPMC) Latest: Christchurch: Cross Way, 08 Nov, 1 (LPyk) Max count: Botley Wood, 01 Nov, 11 (F.M.G.)

VC12: Earliest: Upper Inhams Copse, Pamber Forest, 03 Oct, 1 (GJD) Latest: North Waltham, 10 Nov, 1 (AJon) Max count: Wonston, 24 Oct, 4 (GCE)

73.069 [B&F: 2243] Early Grey Xylocampa areola (Esper, 1789) - Common

Common in broad-leaved woodland, scrub, hedgerows and gardens throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 32-40 mm. Larva feeds on Honeysuckle, over-wintering as a pupa.

Records prior to 2024

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10863197118562023
1179741818519502023
122483571519512023

2024 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10494
112875479
1210523511

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Summary

VC10: Earliest: Whitwell Road, Ventnor, 09 Mar, 1 (MGT) Latest: Shanklin, 11 May, 1 (IOu) Max count: Freshwater Bay, 30 Mar, 5 (SDav)

VC11: Earliest: Frogham, 10 Feb, 1 (NTO) Latest: Sway, 29 Feb 2, 1 (SKee) Max count: Waterlooville, 17 Mar, 9 (DWhe)

VC12: Earliest: Alton, 14 Feb, 1 (DBO) Latest: Basingstoke, 11 May, 1 (CWor) Max count: North Waltham, 30 Mar, 11 (AJon)