2020 Annual Report for: Cosmopterigidae / Cosmopteriginae
For species seen in 2020 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is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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 2020 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 2020, 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.
34.004 [B&F: 0898] Limnaecia phragmitella Stainton, 1851 - Common
Common in fens, marshes and freshwater margins throughout the British Isles, but not in northern Scotland. Fairly widely distributed across Hampshire but perhaps under-recorded, and decidedly uncommon on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 16-22 mm. Rather difficult to assign to a family, perhaps, but once known, the species is easy enough to identify. Larva feeds within flowering spikes of Bulrush and Lesser Bulrush.
Records prior to 2020
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 20 | 26 | 1995 | 2019 |
| 11 | 200 | 269 | 1975 | 2019 |
| 12 | 68 | 150 | 1988 | 2019 |
2020 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 11 | 8 | 8 | 1 |
| 12 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC10: Haseley Manor, one, 11 Aug (IOu);
VC11: Kings Somborne, one, to actinic, 09 Jul; Stockbridge Down NT, one, to actinic, 24 Jul (GCE); Dibden Purlieu, one, to actinic, 25 Jun (RAC); Titchfield Haven NNR, one, 17 Jul (F.M.G.); Portsmouth, one, 25 Jun; one, 26 Jun (IRT); Tuckton, Bournemouth, one, 25 Jun (APar);
VC12: Anna Valley, Andover, one, 20 Jul (TJN)
34.005 [B&F: 0894] Cosmopterix zieglerella (Hübner, [1810]) - Nationally Scarce B
Nationally scarce (Nb) in hedgerows in south-eastern England, from Kent northwards to Norfolk and westwards to Berkshire. In Hampshire first reported in 2003, since when leaf mines have been found in scattered locations across the north and centre, and first reported from the Isle of Wight in 2014. Wingspan 8.5-10.5 mm. Very similar to C. schmidiella, which is now believed to be extinct in the British Isles, and C. orichalcea, which has a different arrangement of metallic markings in the basal area of the wing. Larva mines leaves of Hop, over-wintering in a cocoon.
Update: Status review, December 2019.
Records prior to 2020
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 5 | 46 | 2014 | 2019 |
| 11 | 2 | 31 | 2004 | 2010 |
| 12 | 24 | 150 | 2003 | 2018 |
2020 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 3 | 9 | 6 |
| 12 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC10: Afton Marsh, vacated mine, present, many vacant mine on leaves of Humulus lupulus, 14 Sep (PBa); six, field observation, 06 Jul (SDa); Alverstone, vacated mine, three, on leaves of Humulus lupulus near the bridge, 17 Sep (PBa);
VC12: Farnborough, one, 25 Jun (KBW)
34.007 [B&F: 0896] Cosmopterix orichalcea Stainton, 1861 - Nationally Scarce A
Nationally scarce (Na) in damp meadows, fens, marshes and by river-banks in parts of southern England and Wales, rare elsewhere. In Hampshire virtually restricted to the Leckford Estate, where known for many years; elsewhere, there is only one recent record, at Hurn near Christchurch in 2007. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 8-10 mm. The large triangular golden metallic spot on the forewing from base to the middle of the basal area, and an uninterrupted apical line in combination with the two white subapical rings of the antenna distinguish it from allied species (MBGBI Vol 4 part 1). Larva mines blades of Reed Canary-grass, Sweet Vernal-grass, Common Reed, Wood Millet and Holy-grass, over-wintering in a cocoon.
Records prior to 2020
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 6 | 4 | 1900 | 2015 |
| 12 | 6 | 2 | 1987 | 2011 |
2020 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Southsea*, one, 13 Aug (JGe)
34.008 [B&F: 0896a] Cosmopterix scribaiella Zeller, 1850 - Nationally Scarce A
Nationally scarce (Na) and restricted in Britain to alder carr and reed-beds in Hampshire and neighbouring counties. Almost exclusively coastal in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 10-11 mm. Differs from the less frequent C. zieglerella, C. schmidiella and C. orichalcea by the basal area on the forewing with four narrow longitudinal white lines (MBGBI Vol 4 part 1). Larva mines leaves of Common Reed.
Records prior to 2020
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 27 | 85 | 2006 | 2019 |
| 11 | 125 | 121 | 1997 | 2019 |
| 12 | 7 | 7 | 2010 | 2019 |
2020 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC10: Afton Marsh, mine, present, 13 Sep (SDa);
VC11: Totton, one, 11 Jun (LH); Portsmouth, one, 25 Jun (IRT)
34.009 [B&F: 0896b] Cosmopterix pulchrimella Chambers, 1875 - Nationally Scarce A
Nationally scarce (Na) wherever the foodplant is found, around farm buildings, on old walls and in urban areas from Hampshire to the Isles of Scilly. First recorded in Britain at Walditch, Dorset on 13 October 2001, thereafter rapidly colonising southern England. Previously known from the Channel Islands and southern Europe, from where the British population is presumed to have originated, most likely arriving in this country as immigrants. In Hampshire recorded for the first time in 2007 at Portchester Castle, and on the Isle of Wight from several sites from 2006 onwards; it has been expanding in range since and was reported new for North Hampshire in 2022. Wingspan 6.5-9 mm. Larva mines leaves of Pellitory-of-the-wall, preferring plants growing in the shade.
Records prior to 2020
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 39 | 56 | 2006 | 2019 |
| 11 | 56 | 2001 | 2007 | 2019 |
2020 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 15 | 1156 | 1000 |
| 11 | 16 | 15 | 1 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC10: Needles, mine, present, mines in leaves of Parietaria judaica, 21 Sep (PBa); Totland, one, 18 Sep; two, 19 Sep; one, 20 Sep (RTe); Freshwater Bay, present, field observation, 17 Sep; mine, present, 17 Sep; larva, present, field observation, 17 Sep; pupa, present, field observation, 17 Sep (SDa); Freshwater, larva, 1000, field observation, mines, with larvae, on leaves of Parietaria judaica, 14 Sep; Carisbrooke Castle, 150, field observation, moths quite active on Parietaria judaica on afacing wall, 28 Sep; Niton, mine, present, several mines, one with a larva, in leaves of Parietaria judaica , 24 Sep; St Lawrence: Salem Close, present, field observation, adults and several mines on leaves of Parietaria judaica, 14 Sep; St Lawrence: Love Lane, larva, present, field observation, several mines, with larvae, on leaves of Parietaria judaica, 14 Sep (PBa); Bonchurch, one, 20 Jun (JHa); Shanklin, one, 18 Sep (IOu);
VC11: Winchester*, one, 31 Jul (THW); vacated mine, present, many mines on pellitory, 13 Mar (TJN); Fareham, vacated mine, one, on Pellitory on the Wall, 22 Nov (MLO); one, indoors, 28 Aug; one, to a lighted window, 19 Oct; one, seen by day, 22 Oct; one, to a lighted window, 31 Oct; one, to a lighted window, 01 Nov (KJW); Southsea, one, 21 Nov (JRL)
34.010 [B&F: 0897] Cosmopterix lienigiella Lienig & Zeller, 1846 - Nationally Scarce B
Nationally scarce (Nb) in reed-beds throughout south-eastern England. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight mainly confined to the coast and recorded inland in recent years only from the Leckford estate. Wingspan 10-13 mm. Similar to the other British Cosmopterix species, but yellowish brown, where the other species are black and orange. Larva mines leaves of Common Reed, over-wintering in a cocoon.
Records prior to 2020
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 23 | 99 | 1977 | 2019 |
| 11 | 16 | 25 | 1982 | 2017 |
| 12 | 2 | 0 | 1988 | 2003 |
2020 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC10: Afton Marsh, one, field observation, 01 Nov (SDa)