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is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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.
Common in broad-leaved woodland, parks and gardens throughout much of southern England, north to Yorkshire. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight fairly common, especially in suburban areas, where the moth is sometimes seen newly emerged on lime trunks, and where the pupa can sometimes be dug from under lime and elm trees. Wingspan 70-80 mm. Unmistakable. Larva feeds on Lime, English Elm, Birch and Alder, over-wintering as a pupa.
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 119 | 95 | 1856 | 2022 |
| 11 | 1418 | 1343 | 1949 | 2023 |
| 12 | 552 | 545 | 1951 | 2023 |
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 45 | 32 | 2 |
| 12 | 17 | 17 | 2 |
VC10: Bonchurch, one, 18 Jun; one, 19 Jun (JHa);
VC11: Frogham, one, 07 May (NTO); Wilverley Inclosure, NF, present, field obs., , 27 May (iNat); #REF!#REF!New Forest Wildlife Park, Ashurst, present, field obs., , 02 Jun (iNat); Southampton Hospital, larva, present, field obs., , 29 Jul (HWhe); Mottisfont Abbey NT, nr Romsey, one, 05 Jun (TSto); Romsey, one, 14 May; one, 16 May; one, 31 May (NRJ); Southampton, larva, present, field obs., 22 Jul (iNat); Southampton Sports Centre, larva, present, field obs., , 11 Aug (RRow); Southampton, larva, one, field obs., 22 Jul (SBlu); Bevois Valley, Southampton, one, 22 Jun (MCrei); larva, one, indoors, 01 Aug; Portswodd, Southampton, one, field obs., 01 Jun; Portswood, Southampton, larva, one, field obs., 20 Jul (RZar); Bitterne, Southampton, larva, present, field obs., 12 Aug (NBur); Sholing, one, 18 May; one, 03 Jun (ARC); Thornhill, Southampton, two, 03 Jun (PAB); West End, Southampton, larva, present, field obs., , 06 Aug; West End, Eastleigh, larva, present, field obs., 06 Aug (iNat); Allbrook, one, 17 May (SIng); Lee-on-Solent, one, 22 Jun (IHrg); Fareham, one, 27 Jun (ADT); one, 25 Jun (IMcP); Cemetery, Milton, Portsmouth, present, field obs., , 10 Jul (iNat); Portsmouth, one, 26 Jun (IRT); Waterlooville, one, 17 May; one, 19 May; one, 29 May (DWhe); Lovedean, one, 16 May (ARJa); Northney, Hayling Island, present, 19 May (JWP); Emsworth, larva, present, field obs., , 16 Aug (ReWor); Horndean, one, 25 May (PHog); Muscliffe, one, 18 Jun; two, 19 Jun (CMur,MLan det. CMur); Burton, nr Christchurch, one, 18 Jun (JStw); Stanpit Marsh LNR, one, 22 Jun (PAB); New Milton, one, 12 May (RPH); Lymington, NF, one, 14 May (JWar); Southsea, present, field obs., , 29 May (LTro); present, 18 May (KAnd);
VC12: Wherwell, one, 20 Jun (GCE); Grayshott, one, 09 May; one, 13 Jun (THard); North Waltham, one, 18 May (AJon); Basingstoke, two, 15 May; one, 17 May; one, 31 May (MJW); Eastrop Park, Basingstoke, larva, present, field obs., , 22 Jul (iNat); Selborne, larva, one, field obs., 02 Aug (CJP); Whitehill, Bordon, one, 05 May; one, 14 May; one, 16 May; one, 03 Jun; one, 09 Jun; one, 17 Jun (ASto); one, field obs., 19 May (DMurr); Farnborough, one, 10 May (MThmp)
Common in gardens, orchards, parks, fens, scrub and woodland throughout England and Wales. Widespread and fairly common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 75-95 mm. Larva feeds on most species of Salix and Malus, over-wintering as a pupa.
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 299 | 332 | 1951 | 2022 |
| 11 | 1805 | 1858 | 1951 | 2023 |
| 12 | 481 | 551 | 1951 | 2023 |
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 22 | 19 | 1 |
| 12 | 15 | 16 | 2 |
VC10: Freshwater Bay, one, 25 Jun (PBard); Ningwood Common, present, 02 Jun; Little Duxmore, present, 01 Jul (HMak); Shanklin, one, 24 Jun (IOu);
VC11: Marchwood, one, 18 Jun; Lee, one, 31 May (CTha); Romsey, one, 29 May (MJB); one, 09 Jun (NRJ); Allbrook, one, 03 Jun; one, 05 Jun (SIng); Fareham, one, 19 May; one, 09 Jun (ADT); one, 12 Jun; one, 01 Jul (MLO); Dean, Bishop's Waltham, present, 11 May; present, 12 May; present, 30 May (CMor); Portsmouth, one, 17 Jun (IRT); Waterlooville, one, 21 Jun (DWhe); Horndean, one, 25 Jun; one, 28 Jun (PHog); Hurn, one, 14 May (MJef); Sway, one, 03 May; one, 14 May; one, 01 Jun; one, 02 Jun (SKee);
VC12: Leckford Estate, one, 08 Jun; Wherwell, one, 23 Jun; one, 22 Jul (GCE); Stockbridge Down, one, 07 Jun (MEdg); Wherwell, one, 17 May (GCE); Anna Valley, Andover, one, 14 May; one, 25 Jun (TJN); Goodworth Clatford, two, 3 traps, 15 Jun (WLid, TJN, LFom det. TJN); Lower Wyke Farm, St Mary Bourne, one, 17 Jun; Forton, one, 03 Aug (GCE); North Waltham, one, 15 Jun; one, 01 Jul (AJon); Windmill Hill, Chalton, one, 15 May; one, 28 May (CJP); East Worldham, one, 01 May (RAng)
Common in parkland, gardens, fens, woodland, heathland and moorland throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 72-92 mm. Unmistakable. Larva feeds on Aspen, White Poplar, Black Poplar, Goat Willow and Grey Willow, over-wintering as a pupa.
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1312 | 2041 | 1849 | 2023 |
| 11 | 10717 | 15022 | 1951 | 2023 |
| 12 | 3269 | 5207 | 1949 | 2023 |
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| 11 | 407 | 474 | 5 |
| 12 | 153 | 227 | 8 |
VC10: Earliest: Shanklin, 06 May, 1 (IOu) Latest: Whitwell Road, Ventnor, 01 Sep, 1 (MGT) Max count: Shanklin, 18 May, 7 (IOu)
VC11: Earliest: Fareham, 10 Apr, 0 (iNat) Latest: Fareham, 29 Aug, 1 (ADT) Max count: Brockwood, 01 Jul, 5 (SDut)
VC12: Earliest: Chilbolton, 13 Apr, 1 (GCE) Latest: Beggarwood Park, Basingstoke, 17 Sep, 0 (BRos) Max count: Bullington, 12 Jul, 8 (GCE)