2020 Annual Report for: Gelechiidae / Anomologinae
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is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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.
35.038 [B&F: 0789] Bryotropha domestica (Haworth, 1828) - Common
Common near buildings and around dry-stone walls throughout England, Wales and southern Ireland. Widespread and common in Hampshire. Recorded on the Isle of Wight for the first time since 1893 at Freshwater in 2009. Wingspan 11-14 mm. A light coloured species with slender forewing, contrasting markings and with the first discal above the second plical stigma, extremely pale forms of B. dryadella are distinguished from B. domestica by the much darker hindwing (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). Larva feeds on various mosses, often on walls, living within a silken gallery.
Records prior to 2020
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 5 | 3 | 1893 | 2017 |
| 11 | 1491 | 2328 | 1961 | 2019 |
| 12 | 439 | 701 | 1996 | 2019 |
2020 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 11 | 128 | 235 | 12 |
| 12 | 39 | 71 | 7 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Summary
VC10: Earliest: Bembridge Fort, 06 Aug, 1 (IOu) Max count: Bembridge Fort, 06 Aug, 1 (IOu)
VC11: Earliest: Totton, 19 May, 1 (LH) Latest: Southsea, 05 Sep, 1 (JGe) Max count: Portsmouth, 07 Aug, 6 (IRT)
VC12: Earliest: Anna Valley, Andover, 26 May, 1 (TJN) Latest: Yateley, 12 Aug, 2 (JHH) Max count: Harestock, 06 Aug, 7 (GRog)
35.040 [B&F: 0787] Bryotropha terrella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) - Common
Common in grassland and mossy areas throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 13-17 mm. A plain brown micro and therefore decidedly overlooked and under-recorded, the main confusion species are B. desertella and B. politella, but these are both extremely rare in Hampshire. Larva feeds on various grasses and mosses, living within a silken tube or tent.
Records prior to 2020
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 215 | 296 | 1856 | 2019 |
| 11 | 1532 | 2414 | 1971 | 2019 |
| 12 | 615 | 1096 | 1980 | 2019 |
2020 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 26 | 55 | 11 |
| 11 | 178 | 299 | 7 |
| 12 | 58 | 108 | 10 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Summary
VC10: Earliest: West High Down Quarry, 07 Aug, 4 (IOu) Latest: Bembridge Fort, 06 Aug, 1 (IOu) Max count: Shanklin Upper Chine, 31 Jul, 11 (IOu)
VC11: Earliest: Acres Down, 08 Aug, 6 (CWlk) Latest: Southsea, 01 Jun, 1 (JRL) Max count: Botley, 02 Aug, 7 (SLB)
VC12: Earliest: Cholderton, 17 Jul, 1 (TJN, HE) Latest: Yateley, 17 Aug, 1 (JHH) Max count: Pamber Forest, 31 Jul, 10 (GJD)
35.047 [B&F: 0779] Bryotropha affinis (Haworth, 1828) - Common
Common around old buildings and in urban areas throughout southern Britain, very local elsewhere. In Hampshire widely distributed, but not particularly common. Recorded on the Isle of Wight for the first time at Freshwater in 2010. Wingspan 9-12 mm. Main confusion species is B. similis, but B. affinis usually has small pale yellow patch adjacent to streak in centre of forewing. Larva feeds on various mosses, especially those growing on old walls, living within a silken gallery.
Records prior to 2020
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 70 | 106 | 2010 | 2019 |
| 11 | 1592 | 2744 | 1973 | 2019 |
| 12 | 686 | 1706 | 1993 | 2019 |
2020 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 9 | 10 | 2 |
| 11 | 98 | 153 | 20 |
| 12 | 54 | 155 | 21 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Summary
VC10: Earliest: Shanklin, 02 Jun, 1 (IOu) Latest: Shanklin Upper Chine, 14 Sep, 1 (IOu) Max count: Shanklin, 03 Sep, 2 (IOu)
VC11: Earliest: Woodlands, New Forest, 21 May, 0 (RBW) Latest: Southsea, 14 Sep, 1 (JRL) Max count: Fareham, 21 May, 20 (MLO)
VC12: Earliest: Anna Valley, Andover, 21 May, 1 (TJN) Latest: Yateley, 08 Aug, 2 (JHH) Max count: Basingstoke, 31 Jul, 21 (RHil)
35.050 [B&F: 0752] Aristotelia ericinella (Zeller, 1839) - Local
Local on heathland throughout England and Wales. In Hampshire fairly common on the heaths of the New Forest and the north-east, but very local elsewhere. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight since 1975. Wingspan 12-13 mm. Flies in afternoon, and occasionally comes to light. One of the more distinctive gelechiids, unlikely to be confused with any other species. Larva feeds on Heather, living between shoots spun together with silk, and over-wintering as an egg.
Records prior to 2020
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 10 | 15 | 1938 | 2018 |
| 11 | 135 | 787 | 1973 | 2019 |
| 12 | 27 | 33 | 1976 | 2019 |
2020 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 11 | 23 | 46 | 15 |
| 12 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC10: Freshwater Cliffs, one, 09 Aug (SDa);
VC11: Bagnum, Burley, present, 15 Jul; Brown Loaf, Burley, NF, present, field observation, 02 Aug (DAS); Furze Hill, NF, present, 19 Jul (RBW, MWa); one, 20 Jul (RBW); Hale Purlieu, two, to actinic, 13 Aug (MCu); Acres Down, six, 08 Aug (CWlk); Bramshaw, NF, 15, field observation, swept from heathland vegetation, 01 Jul (MB); Shatterford, NF, one, 14 Jul (RBW, MWa); Pig Bush, NF, four, 17 Jul; one, 18 Jul; Culverley, NF, present, millions (literally) at dusk, 19 Jul (CL); Ashurst, NF, one, 10 Aug (SAB); Totton, one, 11 Aug (LH); Dibden Purlieu, one, to actinic, 12 Aug; one, to actinic, 14 Aug (RAC); Tuckton, Bournemouth, one, 08 Aug (APar); Pennington, six, 07 Aug; one, 08 Aug; one, 13 Aug; one, 14 Aug (RFC); Norleywood, NF, present, 09 Aug (RBW, MWa);
VC12: Cholderton, one, 31 Jul (TJN, HE); Pamber Forest, one, 06 Aug (GJD); Farnborough, one, 10 Aug (KBW); Yateley*, one, 12 Aug (JHH)
35.052 [B&F: 0753] Aristotelia brizella (Treitschke, 1833) - Nationally Scarce B
Nationally scarce (Nb) in saltmarshes on the south and east coasts of England, from Cornwall to Durham, and from Lancashire on the west coast (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). In Hampshire still found in small numbers on the south coast from Hurst Castle in the west to Hayling Island in the east. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight since 1970. Wingspan 9-10 mm. Fairly frequent at light, and also occasionally netted during the day; a reasonably distinctive gelechiid. Larva feeds within flowers of Thrift and Common Sea-lavender, over-wintering as a pupa.
Records prior to 2020
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 11 | 19 | 1856 | 2019 |
| 11 | 24 | 26 | 1985 | 2019 |
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: Freshwater Cliffs, one, 02 Jul (SDa)
35.053 [B&F: 0729] Isophrictis striatella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) - Nationally Scarce B
Nationally scarce (Nb) on waste ground, roadside verges, gardens, damp grassland and fens in Britain, from Devon to Norfolk, with isolated populations in north Wales, northern England and Aberdeenshire. In Hampshire the majority of records come from around Southsea, Portsmouth and Fareham, with only one single record from north Hampshire; the species is perhaps overlooked away from the south-east corner of vice-county 11. Reported new for the Isle of Wight in 2022. Wingspan 11-13 mm. Outwardly oblique white streak from costa at four-fifths to middle of termen, extending into cilia; two or three white specks on costa between streak and apex; distinct circular discal spot (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). Larva feeds within seedheads of Tansy and Sneezewort, over-wintering in a silken chamber.
Records prior to 2020
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 77 | 94 | 1974 | 2019 |
| 12 | 1 | 1 | 1999 | 1999 |
2020 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 5 | 6 | 2 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Portsmouth, one, 15 Jul; one, 30 Jul; one, 07 Aug; one, 08 Aug; two, 09 Aug (IRT)
35.056 [B&F: 0724] Metzneria lappella (Linnaeus, 1758) - Local
Local in waste ground, gardens, open woodland and downland throughout England and north Wales; rare in Scotland. Widespread and common in Hampshire, except for the New Forest, and in the western half of the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 16-20 mm. The main confusion species is M. metzneriella, which differs in the much darker general appearance, especially in apical and terminal areas. Larva feeds within the seedheads of Greater and Lesser Burdock, over-wintering in a cocoon.
Records prior to 2020
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 16 | 11 | 1900 | 2019 |
| 11 | 163 | 207 | 1980 | 2019 |
| 12 | 121 | 241 | 1997 | 2019 |
2020 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 11 | 16 | 3 |
| 11 | 5 | 6 | 2 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC10: Bonchurch, one, 11 Jun (JHa); Shanklin, one, 15 Jun; one, 16 Jun; two, 17 Jun; two, 25 Jun; one, 07 Jul; three, 08 Jul; one, 16 Jul; Shanklin Upper Chine, one, gen det, 02 Jun; one, 08 Aug; St Helens*, pupa, two, field observation, two pupa found in the seed heads of Greater Burdock, presumed to be this species. Pupa retained., 31 Jan (IOu);
VC11: Winchester, one, 23 Jun (THW); Portsmouth, one, 18 Jun; two, 25 Jun; one, 26 Jun; one, 13 Jul (IRT)
35.058 [B&F: 0726] Metzneria metzneriella (Stainton, 1851) - Common
Common on grassland, downland, waste ground and roadside verges throughout the British Isles, north to Inverness-shire. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight fairly widespread and common. Wingspan 14-19 mm. The main confusion species is M. lappella, which differs in the much lighter general appearance, especially in the apical and terminal areas. Larva feeds within seedheads of Common Knapweed and Saw-wort, over-wintering in a cocoon.
Records prior to 2020
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 37 | 37 | 1900 | 2019 |
| 11 | 187 | 211 | 1974 | 2019 |
| 12 | 124 | 197 | 1971 | 2019 |
2020 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 12 | 6 | 7 | 2 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Itchen: Peartree Green, one, 19 Jun (PAB);
VC12: Goodworth Clatford, one, 30 May (GCE); Crawley, one, 30 May (TNo); Barton Stacey, one, to actinic, 27 May (GCE); Ropley, one, 26 May (TJN, LF); Farnborough, two, 16 Jun (KBW); Yateley, one, 31 Jul (JHH)
35.060 [B&F: 0730] Apodia martinii Petry, 1911 - Local
Local in damp meadows, open downland and saltmarshes throughout much of England and Wales. In Hampshire mainly confined to the south-east, very rare elsewhere in the county and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 9-12 mm. Flies in late afternoon. Characterised by a ferruginous-orange streak at tornus and outwardly oblique streak beyond on costa, often connected by scales of similar colour forming a Z-shaped fascia (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2), but these markings are sometimes obscure, in which case identification is possible only by dissection of the genitalia. Larva feeds within seedheads of Common Fleabane, Ploughman's-spikenard and Sea Aster.
Records prior to 2020
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 29 | 65 | 1893 | 2018 |
| 11 | 123 | 360 | 1973 | 2019 |
| 12 | 37 | 95 | 1984 | 2019 |
2020 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 11 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| 12 | 6 | 8 | 2 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC10: Bonchurch, one, 05 Aug (JHa);
VC11: Dibden Purlieu, one, to actinic, 14 Aug (RAC); Eastleigh, one, to actinic, 26 Jul (KArb); Fareham, one, to actinic, gen det, 06 Oct (MLO det. RJD);
VC12: Cholderton, one, 08 Aug (TJN, HE); Basing Forest, one, field observation, 14 Aug (MDu); Castle Bottom NNR, two, to actinic, 16 Aug; Yateley*, one, 12 Aug; two, 08 Aug (JHH)
35.061 [B&F: 0748] Ptocheuusa paupella (Zeller, 1847) - Local
Local in damp grassland, ditches, woodland rides and saltmarshes throughout much of southern England, southern Wales and southern Ireland. In Hampshire still reasonably common in the south-east of the county, but it has become scarce in recent years in north Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 10-12 mm. Comes readily to light, and is fairly distinctive. Larva feeds within seedheads of Common Fleabane and Golden-samphire, over-wintering as a pupa.
Records prior to 2020
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 33 | 41 | 1847 | 2018 |
| 11 | 327 | 429 | 1973 | 2019 |
| 12 | 8 | 15 | 1989 | 2013 |
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: Portsmouth, one, 12 Aug (IRT)
35.065 [B&F: 0728] Monochroa cytisella (Curtis, 1837) - Local
Local in woodland and on heathland and hillsides throughout much of England, Wales and southern Ireland. In Hampshire widely distributed in the south of the county, notably in the New Forest and in and around Wickham Common; more thinly distributed in the north, where known from Harewood, Pamber and Woolmer Forests; one from the Isle of Wight in 2013 was the first for 80 years. Wingspan 10-12 mm. Larva feeds within stems of Bracken.
Records prior to 2020
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 3 | 2 | 1845 | 2013 |
| 11 | 65 | 101 | 1974 | 2019 |
| 12 | 23 | 36 | 1976 | 2019 |
2020 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 11 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 12 | 3 | 12 | 10 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC10: Shanklin*, one, 09 Aug (IOu);
VC11: Park Hill, NF, present, 01 Jul (RBW, MWa); Pig Bush, NF, two, 17 Jul (CL); Romsey, one, 22 Jul (MB);
VC12: Pamber Forest, 10, 25 Jun (GJD); Castle Bottom NNR*, one, 25 Jun (JHH, AMD)
35.066 [B&F: 0735] Monochroa tenebrella (Hübner, [1817]) - Local
Local in scrubland, unimproved grassland and heathland throughout much of the British Isles. In south Hampshire, widely distributed from Holmsley Inclosure in the west to Oxenbourne Down in the east, with a significant population in Botley Wood; in north Hampshire, recorded once, at Wildhern in July 1998; on the Isle of Wight, recorded on a few occasions on the south-west coast, but not since 1978. Wingspan 10-12 mm. Larva feeds within roots and lower stems of Sheep's Sorrel.
Records prior to 2020
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 3 | 3 | 1973 | 1978 |
| 11 | 55 | 113 | 1974 | 2017 |
| 12 | 5 | 4 | 1998 | 2016 |
2020 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC12: Pamber Forest, one, 25 Jun (GJD)
35.073 [B&F: 0737] Monochroa palustrellus (Douglas, 1850) - Nationally Scarce B
Nationally scarce (Nb) in waste ground, dry pastures and sand-dunes, south-east of a line from Somerset to Norfolk (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). In Hampshire the main population is found in the south of the county, notably at Southsea, Funtley and Lower Test Marshes, where first confirmed for Hampshire in 1992; there is one record from the north of the county, at Bramley Frith Wood in 1999, and a few from the Isle of Wight, after the first at Cranmore in 1997. Wingspan 15-19 mm. Larva feeds within roots and lower stems of Curled Dock and Dock, over-wintering as an egg or small larva.
Records prior to 2020
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8 | 9 | 1997 | 2019 |
| 11 | 49 | 49 | 1992 | 2019 |
| 12 | 1 | 1 | 1999 | 1999 |
2020 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 11 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC10: Brook, two, 16 Jul (IOu);
VC11: Portsmouth, one, 24 Jun; one, 07 Aug; one, 22 Sep (IRT)
35.080 [B&F: 0732] Oxypteryx unicolorella (Duponchel, [1843]) - Nationally Scarce B
Nationally scarce (Nb) in waste ground and dry open areas throughout much of southern England and Wales, rare elsewhere. In south Hampshire, the population is mainly centred around Botley Wood with outlying records from Queen Elizabeth Country Park and St Catherine's Hill HWT reserve, while in the north of the county, there are records from Micheldever Wood, Wildhern and Abbotstone Down. Reported new for the Isle of Wight in 2022. Wingspan 10-13 mm. Can be separated with care from Monochroa tenebrella, in which segment 3 of the labial palpus is shorter than segment 2, and, in the female, the apical third of the antenna is white. Larva feeds within stems of Perforate St John's-wort.
Records prior to 2020
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 72 | 90 | 1974 | 2018 |
| 12 | 5 | 3 | 1971 | 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: Catisfield, one, 15 Jun (ALR)
35.081 [B&F: 0731] Oxypteryx atrella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) - Local
Local on downland, rough ground, dry pastures and in woodland clearings throughout much of England and Wales; rare in Ireland. In Hampshire widespread and common; on the Isle of Wight, first recorded at Cranmore in July 2001. Wingspan 11-13 mm. The most likely confusion species is E. immaculatella, which differs in having a dark fuscous (ochreous in E. atrella) labial palpus, but often reliably separated only by dissection of the genitalia. Larva feeds within stems of Perforate St John's-wort and Hairy St John's-wort, over-wintering in a case made from leaf fragments.
Records prior to 2020
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 6 | 5 | 1977 | 2016 |
| 11 | 71 | 72 | 1977 | 2018 |
| 12 | 44 | 64 | 1971 | 2019 |
2020 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC12: Pamber Forest, two, 31 Jul; two, 31 Jul; two, 06 Aug; two, 06 Aug (GJD)