45.006 [B&F: 1502] Hoary Plume Platyptilia isodactylus (Zeller, 1852) - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce (Nb) in fens and marshes and widely distributed albeit local throughout the British Isles, although apparently absent from mainland Scotland. In Hampshire it has been recorded from the Lower Test and the fringes of the New Forest. Recorded on the Isle of Wight for the first, and so far only, time at Freshwater in 1951. Wingspan 19-29 mm. Larva feeds on flowers, stems and leaves of Marsh Ragwort

Record Details

VC11: Stanpit Marsh LNR, one, 13 Aug (MJef)

45.008 [B&F: 1504] Yarrow Plume Gillmeria pallidactyla (Haworth, 1811) - Common

Common in a wide range of habitats, both dry and damp, including waste ground and gardens, throughout the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight widely distributed, but not particularly common. Wingspan 23-27 mm. Similar to P. ochrodactyla but hindleg plain below middle spur, and forewing plainer. Larva feeds on stems and leaves of Yarrow and Sneezewort.

Record Details

VC11: Furzey Gardens, NF, one, field obs., 13 Jul (RAC); Mottisfont, one, 23 Jun (TSto); Portsmouth, one, 11 Jul (IRT); Sway, one, 25 Jun (SKee);

VC12: Goodworth Clatford, one, photograph taken., 22 Jun (GCE); Magdalen Hill Down NR, two, 23 Jun (AMD); Morn Hill, Winchester, one, 22 Jun (CRB,DAS,PDF); North Waltham, one, 09 Jul; one, 11 Jul; one, 16 Jul (AJon)

45.009 [B&F: 1503] Tansy Plume Gillmeria ochrodactyla ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce (Nb) in flower meadows and gardens in parts of England and Wales. In Hampshire the foodplant is very local and so, therefore is the moth, which is known only from the Portsmouth area, where it is common amongst the foodplant. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 24-28 mm. Similar to G. pallidactyla but the third pair of legs in the latter is largely one colour, in the present species it is banded brown and white below the middle spur, and the forewing is more distinctly marked. Gillmeria ochrodactyla flies around tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), and therefore also on ruderal grasslands. G. pallidactyla lives on yarrow (Achillea).

Record Details

VC11: Stanpit Marsh LNR, one, swept, on Tansy. , 13 Aug (PAB); Stanpit Recreation and Depot, two, swept, gen det. , 13 Aug (RPH det. RJD)

45.010 [B&F: 1497] Beautiful Plume Amblyptilia acanthadactyla (Hübner, [1813]) - Common

Common in woodland, heaths and mountains throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight widespread and generally more common than A. punctidactyla. Wingspan 17-23 mm. Very similar to A. punctidactyla, which see for differences. Larva feeds on flowers and leaves of Hedge Woundwort, Common Restharrow, Spiny Restharrow and Meadow Crane's-bill.

Record Summary

VC10: Earliest: Shanklin, 28 Jan, 1 (IOu) Latest: Shanklin, 01 Sep, 1 (IOu) Max count: Shanklin, 30 Jul, 3 (IOu)

VC11: Earliest: Woodley, 02 Jan, 1 (NBin) Latest: Christchurch, 18 Dec, 1 (NBro) Max count: Romsey, 02 Aug, 3 (MJB)

VC12: Earliest: Whitehill, Bordon, 28 Jan, 1 (ASto) Latest: Alton, 04 Nov, 1 (DBO) Max count: Farnborough, 23 Jun, 3 (KBW)

45.011 [B&F: 1498] Brindled Plume Amblyptilia punctidactyla (Haworth, 1811) - Local

Local in woodland, heaths and river-banks throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight widespread, but generally less common than A. acanthadactyla. Wingspan 18-23 mm. Confusable with A. acanthadactyla. A. punctidactyla has a greyish or, when fresh, dark greenish tinge, whereas A. acanthadactyla is reddish; also, A. punctidactyla has a lot of speckling on the basal half of the forewings, A. acanthadactyla has very little. Larva feeds on flowers and seeds of Hedge Woundwort, Common Restharrow, Spiny Restharrow and Meadow Crane's-bill.

Record Details

VC12: Anna Valley, Andover, one, 10 Aug (TJN);

45.012 [B&F: 1509] Brown Plume Stenoptilia pterodactyla (Linnaeus, 1761) - Common

Common in downland, open woodland and dry pastures throughout much of the British Isles, more numerous in the south. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight recorded from all three vice-counties, but with few records from the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 20-26 mm. Larva feeds on flowers, leaves and seeds of Germander Speedwell.

Record Details

VC10: Whitwell Road, Ventnor, one, field obs., 05 Oct (MGT);

VC11: East Tytherley, one, photograph taken., 27 Jul (GCE); Marchwood, one, 03 Aug (TDCh);

VC12: Cholderton, one, 26 Jul (TJN); Morn Hill, Winchester, two, 18 Jul (CRB,DAS,PDF,LHur); one, 28 Jul (CRB, DAS); Cheriton, one, 23 Jul (DAS); East Worldham, present, field obs., , 13 Jul (EPil); one, field obs., 13 Jul (RAng)

45.013 [B&F: 1508] Twin-spot Plume Stenoptilia bipunctidactyla (Scopoli, 1763) - Common

Common on damp heathland, downland and in flower meadows throughout much of the British Isles, where suitable habitat exists. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight the species is found sparsely in all three vice-counties. Wingspan 17-25 mm. Larva feeds on flowers and seeds of Devil's-bit Scabious, Field Scabious and Small Scabious.

Record Details

VC11: Winter Down Copse, Little Somborne, one, photograph taken., 17 Jul (GCE);

VC12: Cholderton, present, 06 Jul (TJN); Stockbridge Down, larva, one, field obs., field Scabious. , 18 Aug; Magdalen Hill Down NNR, larva, 10, field obs., field Scabious. , 18 Aug (JOug); Magdalen Hill Down NR, one, 13 Aug (AMD); Basingstoke: Down Grange Meadow, one, 13 Aug (BGD det. CHart)

45.021 [B&F: 1507] Dowdy Plume Stenoptilia zophodactylus (Duponchel, 1840) - Local

Local on sea cliffs, dry grassland and sand-dunes throughout much of England. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight has been recorded in the past from all three vice-counties, but there are no recent records from north Hampshire, and the species is probably under-recorded in the south and on the Island. Wingspan 16-23 mm. Larva feeds on flowers and seeds of Centaury, Yellow-wort and Gentian.

Record Details

VC10: Compton Down, one, gen Det. Photo 45.021-10-30Jun24-1 (Genitalia only)., 30 Jun (PBard)

45.023 [B&F: 1495] Crescent Plume Marasmarcha lunaedactyla (Haworth, 1811) - Local

Local on downland, shingle beaches and sand-dunes throughout much of southern England and southern Wales, where suitable habitat exists. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight probably occurs wherever the foodplant occurs. Wingspan 18-22 mm. Recognised by the cream-coloured moon-shaped marking on outer part of forewing. Larva feeds on stems and leaves of Common Restharrow.

Record Details

VC10: Needles, six, field obs., on plants of Ononis repens., 23 Jun; Freshwater Bay, one, 01 Jul; Brook Down, one, 25 Jun (PBard); Osborne Wood, four, 01 Jul (IOu);

VC11: Stubbington, one, 25 Jun (WMay); Lee-on-Solent, one, 23 Jun; two, 25 Jun (IHrg); Fort Nelson, Portchester, present, field obs., 29 Jun (PPir);

VC12: Longparish, one, photograph taken., 30 Jul (GCE); Morn Hill, Winchester, four, field obs., 14 Jul (DAS); Whitehill, Bordon, one, 25 Jun (ASto)

45.025 [B&F: 1490] Small Plume Oxyptilus parvidactyla (Haworth, 1811) - Nationally Scarce B

Local, on heaths, dry pastures and chalk downland, throughout the British Isles. In Hampshire, locally common on unspoilt downland, but not recorded recently from the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 13-18mm. Difficult to differentiate from other Oxyptilus, unless reared from the host plant or via dissection. A diurnal moth, and can be seen in afternoon sunshine, until dusk. The flight period is June to July. Larva feeds on Mouse-ear Hawkweed, living within a spun or rolled leaf.

Record Details

VC11: Romsey, one, 02 Aug (TJN)

45.028 [B&F: 1494] Wood Sage Plume Capperia britanniodactylus (Gregson, 1869) - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce (Nb) in southern Britain, occurring uncommonly and only where the foodplant grows out in the open, for instance on shingle, or in open woodland rides. In Hampshire reasonably common in the New Forest and along the southern coast of the county, but reporting frequency is very low. Also on the northern coast of the Island, although not recently reported. Wingspan 18-21 mm. Larva feeds on Wood Sage, biting through stems and feeding on the wilted leaves.

Record Details

VC11: Denny Lodge, NF, present, field obs., 08 Jul (RAC)

Forest Front, NF
08/07/2024
field observation
Bob Chapman
Photo © Bob Chapman

45.029 [B&F: 1493] Sundew Plume Buckleria paludum (Zeller, 1839) - Nationally Scarce A

Nationally scarce (Na) on damp heathland and mosses in parts of England and Wales, more numerous in the south. In Hampshire widespread in the bogs of the New Forest in the vicinity of the foodplant: elsewhere, two adults reported from Shortheath Common, Oakhanger in August 2023 were the first sightings for North Hampshire since Fassnidge reported it from Woolmer Forest in 1928. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 11-13 mm. The moth is easily disturbed in daytime, and flies naturally just before dusk. Larva feeds on leaves of Round-leaved Sundew.

Record Details

VC11: Beaulieu Heath, NF, one, field obs., flushed on sundew rich fringe of bog, late afternoon, around 6pm. , 08 Jun (WLan); Matley Bog, NF, one, field obs., 26 Jul (NRJ); Linford Bottom, one, at dusk, 05 Aug (CLew)

45.030 [B&F: 1513] White Plume Pterophorus pentadactyla (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common

Common in dry grassland, waste ground and gardens throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight, wherever bindweed is well-established. Wingspan 24-35 mm. Flies at dusk and through the night, often appearing at lighted windows at dusk. The only completely all-white plume moth. Larva feeds on Bindweed.

Record Details

VC10: Freshwater, one, field obs., 27 Jun; one, 22 Jun; one, 24 Jun; one, 29 Jun; one, 30 Jun; one, 01 Jul; one, 02 Jul; Brook Down, one, 25 Jun; two, 01 Jul (PBard); Whitwell Road, Ventnor, one, 29 Jun (MGT); Little Duxmore, present, 18 Jun (HMak); Shanklin, one, field obs., 27 Jun; one, 17 Jul; one, 29 Jul (IOu);

VC11: Marchwood, one, 18 Jun (CTha); Mottisfont, one, 27 Jun (TSto); Blackfied, one, to lighted window, 18 Jun (PGS); Swaythling, Southampton, one, 24 Jun (MEdg); Southampton, two, 16 Aug (MGP); Allbrook, one, 11 Jul (SIng); Titchfield, one, field obs., 29 Jun (IHrg); Botley, one, 20 Jun; one, 21 Jun; one, 25 Jun; one, 07 Jun; one, 25 Jun; one, 11 Jul (SLB); Dean, Bishop's Waltham, present, 18 Jun (CMor); Horsea Island, one, 07 Jun (F.M.G.); Portsmouth, one, 25 Jun; one, 26 Jun (IRT); Lovedean, one, 25 Jun (ARJa); Stroud, Petersfield, one, 01 Jul (RAll); Hengistbury Head NNR, one, 01 Jul (BKin det. RPH); Sway, one, 09 Jul; one, 14 Jul (SKee); Pennington, one, field obs., 11 Aug (MHay);

VC12: Wherwell, one, 22 Jul; Wherwell: SU3440: Westover Farm: S of Flint Farm, one, 22 Jun (GCE); Andover, present, field obs., , 06 Jul (iNat); Barton Stacey, one, 11 Jun; Wonston, two, 24 Jun; Lower Wyke Farm, St Mary Bourne, one, 23 Jul; Barton Stacey, one, 11 Jun (GCE); Magdalen Hill Down NR, two, 19 Jul (AMD); North Waltham, one, 25 Jun; one, 27 Jun; one, 29 Jun; one, 09 Jul (AJon); Alton, one, to artificial light, 29 Jun; one, 14 Jul (DBO); Chawton, two, 04 Jul (DAS); East Worldham, present, field obs., , 29 Jun (EPil); one, field obs., 29 Jun (RAng);

45.031 [B&F: 1514] Spotted-white Plume Porrittia galactodactyla ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce (Nb) in open woodland and dry pastures throughout much of southern England and southern Wales. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight recorded from all three vice-counties but not recently from the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 20-25 mm. Forewing pale with diagnostic backward-pointing rear lobe, but imago seldom encountered, and the species is much more likely to be recorded in the larval stage, when feeding signs are relatively easy to find where they are present. Larva feeds on Lesser and Greater Burdock, making characteristic large holes in the leaves and often found nearby, resting along the edge of a vein on the underside of the leaf.

Record Details

VC11: Ridges Grove NT, larva, one, field obs., 16 May (AJB, DJH);

VC12: Stockbridge Down, larva, two, field obs., on underside of burdock leaf showing classic peppered holes feeding damage. Photos., 16 May (AJB, DJH)

45.034 [B&F: 1512] Dingy White Plume Merrifieldia baliodactylus (Zeller, 1841) - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce (Nb) on chalk downland and waste ground, mainly in the southern counties of England. In Hampshire restricted to the few areas of unimproved grassland at sites such as Oxenbourne, Stockbridge and Magdalen Hill Down. Recently recorded on the Isle of Wight for the first time since 1981. Wingspan 20-27 mm. Very similar to several other species of plume moth, from which separable only by dissection of the genitalia. Larva feeds on stems of Wild Marjoram.

Record Details

VC12: Magdalen Hill Down NR, one, 19 Jul (AMD); Morn Hill, Winchester, two, 29 Jun (CRB,DAS,PDF); two, 18 Jul (CRB,DAS,PDF,LHur); one, 28 Jul (CRB, DAS)

45.035 [B&F: 1515] Horehound Plume Wheeleria spilodactylus (Curtis, 1827) - pRDB2

Vulnerable (proposed as a future Red Data Book species) on a few sites on chalky ground in southern England and southern Wales. On the Isle of Wight, found on the cliffs between Freshwater and the Needles, where the foodplant is common in patches along the cliff-edge and the moth, in one or more stages of the life-cycle, can reliably be found. Not recorded from Hampshire. Wingspan 20-25 mm. Larva feeds on White Horehound.

Record Details

VC10: High Down: Main Bench, larva, one, field obs., photo 45.035-10-23Jun24-1. On upper surface of Marrubium vulgare leaf., 23 Jun; two, field obs., resting on Marrubium vulgare. Photo 45.035-10-23Jun24-1., 23 Jun (PBard); West High Down, one, trapped n/o 30 July (JH/MH), 01 Aug (IOu)

45.037 [B&F: 1523] Dusky Plume Oidaematophorus lithodactyla (Treitschke, 1833) - Local

Local on grassland, roadside verges and embankments throughout much of England and western Ireland. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight local amongst the foodplants, and found in all three vice-counties, but doubtless under-recorded. Wingspan 26-29 mm. Noticeable scale tufts on tibia. Larva feeds on flowers, stems and leaves of Common Fleabane.

Record Details

VC11: Botley Wood, one, 05 Aug (AMD); Stubbington, larva, one, field obs., on Fleabane. , 05 May (DPH); Waterlooville, one, to artificial light, 16 Jul (DWhe); Sway, one, 02 Aug (SKee);

VC12: Barton Stacey, one, photograph taken., 29 Jun (GCE)

45.039 [B&F: 1519] Citron Plume Hellinsia carphodactyla (Hübner, [1813]) - Local

Local on chalky ground in parts of southern England. This is true of Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight where recorded from all three vice-counties at low density. Wingspan 14-23 mm. Larva feeds within flowerheads of Ploughman's-spikenard.

Record Details

VC10: Compton Down, one, gen Det. Photo 45.039-10-30Jun24-1 (Adult only)., 30 Jun (PBard)

45.043 [B&F: 1517] Hemp Agrimony Plume Adaina microdactyla (Hübner, [1813]) - Common

Common on downland throughout England, more numerous in the south. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight locally common amongst Hemp-agrimony, especially where the plant is growing in drier localities. Wingspan 13-17 mm. Small size precludes confusion with most other species of plume moth. Larva feeds within stems of Hemp-agrimony, forming galls.

Record Details

VC10: Whitwell Road, Ventnor, one, gen det, 31 Jul (MGT); Bonchurch, one, 03 Jun (JHa);

VC11: Romsey, one, 12 Jul; two, 28 Aug (MJB); Stockbridge Down, gall, present, field obs., eupatorium cannabinum. , 18 Aug (JOug); Wickham, one, 30 Jul (JRDS);

VC12: Cholderton, one, 26 Jul (TJN); Morn Hill, Winchester, two, 18 Jul (CRB,DAS,PDF,LHur); one, 27 Aug (CRB, PDF, DAS, LHur); Headley Gravel Pit, mine, six, 18 Aug (GJD);

45.044 [B&F: 1524] Common Plume Emmelina monodactyla (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common

Common in gardens, rough ground, hedgerows and woodland edges throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight common to abundant throughout. Wingspan 18-27 mm. The imago hibernates and comes to light early in the year. Larva polyphagous on plants such as Bindweed, Knotgrass, Bilberry and Heather, living between shoots spun together with silk.

Record Summary

VC10: Earliest: Little Duxmore, 20 Mar, 0 (HMak) Latest: West High Down quarries, 17 Sep, 1 (IOu) Max count: Shanklin Upper Chine, 02 Sep, 2 (IOu)

VC11: Earliest: Swaythling, Southampton, 07 Jan, 1 (MEdg) Latest: Sway, 24 Dec, 1 (SKee) Max count: Barton on Sea, 26 Aug, 6 (SKee)

VC12: Earliest: North Waltham, 04 Feb, 1 (AJon) Latest: Alton, 24 Dec, 1 (DBO) Max count: North Waltham, 27 Aug, 9 (AJon)