2020 Annual Report for: Oecophoridae / Oecophorinae

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taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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

28.008 [B&F: 0642a] Metalampra italica Baldizzone, 1977 - Migrant

An adventive species, which is spreading rapidly. On 17 August 2003, a worn specimen was found in a moth trap in a garden in Devon. The species had not previously been recorded outside Italy. Another specimen turned up in the same garden on 7 August 2004, and towards the end of July that year three specimens were found in and around a house at Welwyn, Hertfordshire, with one to a lighted window at Studham, Bedfordshire, on 3 July 2006. In Hampshire recorded for the first time at Over Wallop in August 2011. By 2016 there had been 19 reports, which had risen to over 100 three years later. It is now widespread across mainland Hampshire, and recorded from the Isle of Wight for the first time in 2020. Wingspan 13-14 mm. A similar species, M. cinnamomea, which occurs widely on the near continent and which is perhaps a more likely candidate to stray to the UK, has not occurred; neither species is prone to migration, and the origins of the British M. italica remain a mystery. Larva feeds within dead wood.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
118910420132019
12111320112019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10111
1148573
1216193

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC10: New Vice-county Record: Bonchurch*, one, 05 Aug (JHa);

VC11: Pig Bush, NF*, one, 17 Jul (CL); Woodlands, New Forest, present, 10 Aug (RBW); Totton, one, 27 May; two, 12 Jun; one, 11 Aug (LH); East Tytherley, one, to actinic, 10 Aug (GCE); Romsey, one, 16 Jul; one, 06 Aug; one, 16 Aug (MB); Dibden Purlieu*, one, to actinic, 17 Aug (RAC); Southampton*, one, to actinic, 01 Jul (MGP det. MJW); Eastleigh*, one, to actinic, 02 Jul; one, to actinic, 07 Aug; one, to actinic, 26 Aug; one, to actinic, 08 Sep (KArb); Allbrook*, one, to actinic, 12 Aug; one, to actinic, 14 Aug (SI); Fareham, one, to actinic, 09 Aug; one, to actinic, 23 Aug (MLO); one, 04 Jun; one, field observation, 06 Jun; one, 08 Jun; one, 09 Jun; one, 11 Jun; one, field observation, 13 Jun; one, field observation, 14 Jun; three, 25 Jun; one, 26 Jun; one, 11 Aug; one, 14 Aug (KJW); one, in flight, flying by day close to ground level at base of pellitory-of-the-wall, 04 Jul (RJD); Wickham, three, 08 Aug (JRDS); West Walk*, three, 14 Aug (F.M.G.); Southsea, one, 02 Jun; one, 08 Jun; one, 29 Jun; one, 28 Jul (JGe);

VC12: Cholderton*, one, 31 Jul (TJN, HE); Basingstoke, one, 26 Jun (MJW); Brighton Hill, Basingstoke, one, field observation, on a nearby Sycamore, 05 Aug; Tadley, one, field observation, 02 Aug (JHu); Pamber Forest, one, 31 Jul; one, 07 Aug (GJD); Liss Forest, one, field observation, 09 Jul (RJM); Alton*, one, to actinic, 31 Jul (BCA); Castle Bottom NNR*, one, to actinic, 16 Aug (JHH); Fleet*, one, netted, 11 Jul (MHals); Yateley, one, 07 Aug; two, 12 Aug; one, 13 Aug; three, 31 Jul; one, 08 Aug (JHH)

28.009 [B&F: 0648] White-shouldered House-moth Endrosis sarcitrella (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common

Common in houses, and around sheds and outhouses throughout the British Isles. Widespread and rather common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 13-20 mm. A familiar and easily recognised inhabitant of many houses, distinguished from the more frequent Brown House Moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella by the white head and thorax. Larva feeds on detritus and refuse, as well as dried goods, such as cereals and grain.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
1031153618502019
113119413919712019
12967118319772019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1029322
112052445
1241544

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Summary

VC10: Earliest: Totland, 18 Sep, 1 (RTe) Latest: Shanklin Upper Chine, 20 Aug, 1 (IOu) Max count: Freshwater, 18 Sep, 2 (PBa)

VC11: Earliest: Brockwood, 16 May, 1 (SDut) Latest: Southsea, 01 Jun, 1 (JRL) Max count: Southsea, 12 Apr, 5 (JRL)

VC12: Earliest: Harestock, 22 May, 1 (GRog) Latest: Yateley, 31 Jul, 1 (JHH) Max count: Yateley, 07 May, 4 (JHH)

28.010 [B&F: 0647] Brown House-moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella (Stainton, 1849) - Common

Common outdoors, in woodland, hedgerows and grassland, and indoors, in houses and barns, throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 16-25 mm. A widespread and familiar insect, originally an inhabitant of Asia. Larva feeds on detritus and refuse, both animal and vegetable.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
1041164019772019
114978764119712019
121753316819822019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1021376
113544976
121171666

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Summary

VC10: Earliest: West High Down Quarry, 07 Aug, 1 (IOu) Latest: Bembridge Fort, 06 Aug, 1 (IOu) Max count: Shanklin, 24 Jun, 6 (IOu)

VC11: Earliest: Pig Bush, NF, 17 Jul, 1 (CL) Latest: Southsea, 02 Jun, 0 (JRL) Max count: Totton, 09 Aug, 6 (LH)

VC12: Earliest: Cholderton, 31 Jul, 0 (TJN, HE) Latest: Yateley, 08 Aug, 3 (JHH) Max count: Anna Valley, Andover, 25 Jun, 6 (TJN)

28.012 [B&F: 0644] Borkhausenia fuscescens (Haworth, 1828) - Common

Common in woodland, hedgerows, farmland and farm buildings throughout the British Isles. In Hampshire widespread and reasonably common, but probably under-recorded on the Isle of Wight were reports have increased in recent years. Wingspan 9-12 mm. A consistent feature is the large, distinct discal stigma. Larva feeds on dead leaves, detritus in bird nests and vegetable waste, living within a silken case.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10425719002019
1145759819732019
12809819852019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10111
1138433
1215194

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC10: Shanklin, one, gen det, 25 Jun (IOu);

VC11: Brockwood*, one, 05 Jun (SDut); Totton, one, 02 Jul; two, 06 Jul; one, 16 Jul; one, 17 Jul; one, 31 Jul; one, 01 Aug; two, 06 Aug; one, 07 Aug; one, 08 Aug; one, 09 Aug; one, 30 Aug (LH); Timsbury, one, 13 Jun; one, 31 Jul (TRa); Dibden Purlieu, one, to actinic, 24 Jun (RAC); Allbrook, one, 08 Jun (SI); Catisfield, one, 23 Jun; one, to actinic, 25 Jun (ALR); Fareham, one, indoors, 25 Jun; one, to a lighted window, ♂, gen det, 01 Aug (RJD); Portsmouth, one, 14 Jun; one, 11 Jul; one, 12 Jul; one, 30 Jul; one, 07 Aug (IRT); Tuckton, Bournemouth, one, 06 Jul (APar); Sway, one, 24 Jun (SKe); Southsea, one, 28 Jun (JGe);

VC12: Harestock, one, to actinic, 26 Jun; one, to actinic, 09 Jul; one, to actinic, 15 Jul; one, to actinic, 16 Jul; one, to actinic, 17 Jul; one, to actinic, 20 Jul; one, to actinic, 01 Aug; two, to actinic, 06 Aug; one, to actinic, 14 Aug; one, to actinic, 15 Sep (GRog); Basingstoke, one, 26 Jun (MJW); four, to actinic, 26 Jun (JHu); Warren Hill, Liss Forest*, one, 14 Jun (RJM); Yateley, one, 12 Aug (JHH)

28.013 [B&F: 0637] Crassa tinctella (Hübner, 1796) - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce (Nb) in ancient woodland throughout much of southern Britain, from Kent to Devon in the south and Lincolnshire and North Wales in the north (MBGBI Vol 4 part 1). In Hampshire sparsely recorded in the south of the county, with only one recent record from the north and none from the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 14-16 mm. Resembles Batia unitella, but ochreous-orange rather than golden-brown, and lacks the contrasting orange head and palps of B. unitella; also, the costa is convex in B. unitella, straight in C. tinctella. Larva feeds on lichens growing on Willow.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
101019001900
11111119722018
12121719752017

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11441
12232

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC11: Ashurst, NF, one, 26 May (SAB); Romsey*, one, 26 May (SLay); one, 02 May (MB); Kings Somborne, one, to actinic, 26 May (GCE);

VC12: Pamber Forest, two, 30 May (GJD); Yateley*, one, ♀, gen det, 26 May (JHH det. AMD)

28.014 [B&F: 0642] Crassa unitella (Hübner, 1796) - Common

Common wherever there are trees throughout southern England and Wales, north to Yorkshire. Widespread and common in Hampshire but rather scarce on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 13-17 mm. Only confusable with the rare and local Crassa tinctella, which see. Larva feeds on fungi growing on and under the dead bark of various deciduous trees.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
109311018562019
11941114319742019
12665116319712019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1017368
111151836
1211828130

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Summary

VC10: Earliest: West High Down Quarry, 07 Aug, 5 (IOu) Latest: Shanklin Upper Chine, 08 Aug, 1 (IOu) Max count: Shanklin, 09 Aug, 8 (IOu)

VC11: Earliest: Woodlands, New Forest, 16 Jul, 0 (RBW) Latest: Southsea, 17 Jul, 1 (JGe) Max count: Kings Somborne, 07 Aug, 6 (GCE)

VC12: Earliest: Cholderton, 10 Jul, 1 (TJN, HE) Latest: Yateley, 08 Aug, 4 (JHH) Max count: Preston Candover, 07 Aug, 30 (MJW)

28.015 [B&F: 0640] Batia lunaris (Haworth, 1828) - Common

Common in woodland, plantations, parklands and urban areas throughout much of England and Wales. Widespread and common in Hampshire but rather scarce on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 9-11 mm. Most likely to be confused with B. lambdella, which is mainly restricted to the coast, and B. internella, which is very restricted in its range; see these species accounts for details. Larva feeds on lichens growing on trees, fence posts, and in rotten wood under the bark.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10385019002019
1169885519742019
1218928819802019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10221
1130302
1233455

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: Kingston*, one, 16 Jul (ENes); Bonchurch, one, 25 Jun (JHa);

VC11: Marchwood, one, 24 Jun (CTh); Woodlands, New Forest, present, 24 Jun (RBW); Ashurst, NF, one, 24 Jun (SAB); Totton, one, 01 Jul; one, 07 Jul (LH); Romsey, one, 24 Jun (SLay); one, 01 Jun (MB); Winchester, one, 07 Jul; one, 17 Jul; one, 24 Jul; one, 07 Aug (THW); Catisfield, one, 06 Aug (ALR); Fareham, one, 25 Jun (ADT); one, 16 Jun (IMcP); one, to actinic, 16 Jun; one, to actinic, 06 Jul; one, to actinic, 15 Jul (MLO); Botley, one, to actinic, 25 Jun (SLB); Portsmouth, one, 24 Jun (IRT); Tuckton, Bournemouth, one, 07 Jul (APar); Burton, nr Christchurch, one, 23 Jun (JSw); Sway, one, 24 Jun; one, 01 Jul (SKe); Milford on Sea, one, 19 Jun; one, 17 Jul (MMcM); Pennington, two, 24 Jun (RFC); Southsea, one, 25 Jun (JGe);

VC12: Cholderton, four, 17 Jul; three, 24 Jul (TJN, HE); Anna Valley, Andover, one, 23 Jun (TJN); Harestock, one, to actinic, 23 Jun; two, to actinic, 26 Jun; one, to actinic, 29 Jun; one, to actinic, 08 Jul; one, to actinic, 17 Jul (GRog); Barton Stacey, one, to actinic, 25 Jun; one, to actinic, 16 Jul (GCE); Whitchurch, one, field observation, 01 Jul (SBr); Wonston , one, to actinic, 17 Jul (GCE); Axmansford, one, 04 Jul (ACB); Basingstoke, one, 20 Jun; five, 24 Jun; two, 26 Jun; one, 07 Jul; one, 06 Aug (MJW); two, 24 Jun; one, 16 Jul (RHil); Pamber Forest, one, 13 Jul (GJD); Liss Forest, one, 27 Jun; one, 18 Jul (RJM); Alton, one, to actinic, 31 Jul (BCA); Whitehill, one, to actinic, 13 Jul (ASto); Hook, one, 03 Jul (PAV); Castle Bottom NNR, present, 25 Jun (JHH, AMD); Farnborough, two, 23 Jun; one, 25 Jun; one, 14 Jul (KBW); Yateley, one, 23 Jun; one, 31 Jul (JHH)

28.017 [B&F: 0641] Batia lambdella (Donovan, 1793) - Local

Local on heathland, scrub and open woodland throughout the British Isles, more numerous in the south. In Hampshire fairly common on the south coast and around the New Forest, and still reported occasionally from around Totland on the Isle of Wight, but not recorded in north Hampshire to date. Wingspan 13-18 mm. The main confusion species are B. lunaris, from which differs in coloration rather more orange-tinged, costal suffusion narrower, base of dorsum not darker than ground colour, triangular base of black lambda mark merging more gradually to upper process which is relatively broader; and B. internella, which see. Larva feeds within bark of Gorse

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10141318932018
1112011019742019
124520102012

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10111
1111132
1231210

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: Bonchurch*, one, 11 Jun (JHa);

VC11: Brockwood, one, 07 Aug (SDut); Dibden Purlieu, two, to actinic, 09 Aug (RAC); Old Winchester Hill*, one, field observation, 01 Aug (JHH, AMD det. JHH); Tuckton, Bournemouth, one, 04 Aug (APar); Sway, one, 26 May; one, 24 Jun; one, 04 Jul (SKe); Pennington, one, 24 Jun; one, 13 Aug (RFC); Pilley Bailey, NF, one, 03 Aug (RBW, MWa);

VC12: Cholderton*, one, 17 Jul (TJN, HE); Pamber Forest*, 10, 25 Jun (GJD); Long Valley, Fleet, one, netted, 20 Jun (JHH, AMD)

28.019 [B&F: 0649] Esperia sulphurella (Fabricius, 1775) - Common

Common in woodland, hedgerows and gardens throughout the British Isles, north to central Scotland. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 12-15 mm. Day-flying, although may come to light. Unmistakable. Larva feeds in the decaying wood and associated fungi of many native deciduous trees.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10666818562019
1155560419712019
1220124719732019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1013163
1142483
1211122

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: Bonchurch, one, 11 Apr; one, 21 Apr; three, 24 Apr; one, 27 Apr; two, 28 Apr; one, 02 May; one, 09 May; one, 18 May; one, 21 May (JHa); Luccombe, one, emerged from a pupa found under the bark of fallen Ash tree on 03 March, 11 Mar; Shanklin, one, 23 Apr; one, 25 Apr; one, 27 Apr (IOu);

VC11: Ashurst, NF, one, 21 Apr (SAB); Totton, one, field observation, 02 Apr; two, field observation, 11 Apr; two, field observation, 14 Apr; three, field observation, 16 Apr; one, field observation, 23 Apr; two, field observation, 24 Apr; two, field observation, 25 Apr; one, field observation, 26 Apr; two, field observation, 04 May; one, field observation, 06 May; one, 19 May (LH); Romsey, one, 25 Mar; one, 16 Apr (MB); Kings Somborne, one, to actinic, 21 May; one, to actinic, 26 May (GCE); Swaythling, Southampton, present, field observation, 26 Apr (iNat); Southampton, one, 18 Apr (MEdg); one, to actinic, 12 Apr; one, to actinic, 19 Apr; one, to actinic, 03 May (MGP); Sholing, Southampton, one, 03 May (Unknown det. PBu); Eastleigh, one, to actinic, 16 Apr; one, to actinic, 08 May (KArb); Allbrook, one, 21 Apr (SI); Kings Somborne, one, to actinic, 26 May (GCE); Fareham, one, 09 Apr (ADT); one, field observation, 25 Apr; one, field observation, 14 May (MLO); one, ♂, 05 Apr (KJW); Wickham, one, 26 Apr (JRDS); Portchester, one, 24 Apr (JGe); Lovedean, one, 09 May (ARJ); Hinton Ampner, one, field observation, 26 Apr (DAS); Southsea, one, 15 Apr; one, 24 Apr (JGe);

VC12: Cheriton, one, 02 May (DAS); Axmansford*, one, 03 May (ACB); Pamber Forest, two, 27 Apr; one, 07 May (GJD); Alton, one, indoors, 19 May (BCA); Castle Bottom NNR, one, field observation, 29 May; Up Green Wood, Eversley*, one, field observation, 07 May (JHH); Farnborough, one, 12 Apr; one, field observation, 15 Apr (KBW); Yateley, one, 21 Apr; one, 19 May (JHH)

28.020 [B&F: 0650] Dasycera oliviella (Fabricius, 1794) - Nationally Scarce A

Nationally scarce (Na) in ancient woodland, especially where there are open areas with dead wood, and restricted to the south-east of England. In Hampshire the only recent records are from Harewood Forest and Ashurst. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 14-17 mm. Unmistakable. Day-flying. Larva feeds within bark of Oak, Hazel, Blackthorn and Pear.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
11415119772019
125419812019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11100

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Woodlands, New Forest, present, 02 Aug (RBW)

28.022 [B&F: 0652] Alabonia geoffrella (Linnaeus, 1767) - Common

Common in woodland, hedgerows and gardens throughout England and Wales. Widespread in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight, where often seen during the day in deciduous woodland in small numbers. Wingspan 18-21 mm. Day-flying, but may come to light. Unmistakable. Larva feeds within the bark of rotten wood.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
1010013518562019
1116720019722019
129317119742019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10452
1110101
12563

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: Parkhurst Forest, one, 29 Jun; Pan, two, 30 May; Shanklin, one, 05 Jun; one, 25 Jun (IOu);

VC11: Blashford Lakes, one, field observation, 24 May (MGo); Romsey, one, 01 Jun (MB); Kings Somborne, one, to actinic, 21 May; one, to actinic, 26 May (GCE); Itchen Valley CP, one, 11 May (AxHu); Bishop's Waltham, one, field observation, 25 May (DTr); Burton, nr Christchurch, one, 26 May (JSw); Sway, one, 26 May; one, 27 May; one, 28 May (SKe);

VC12: Ecchinswell, one, 21 May (MJN); Basingstoke, present, field observation, 28 May (iNat); Shortheath Common, one, field observation, 15 May (KBW); Odiham Common, three, netted, 24 May (JHH)

28.024 [B&F: 0656] Tachystola acroxantha (Meyrick, 1885) - Local

Naturalised and increasing, through accidental introduction in garden plants from Australia, throughout much of southern England, north to Lancashire; until recently only known from south-west England, this is a species which appears to have undergone a rapid range expansion. Since 1997, recorded frequently in Fleet, and since 2002 increasingly common along the south coast. Wingspan 13-18mm. The pinkish orange termen make this an unmistakable species. Larva feeds on fallen leaves and leaf litter. The pRDB3 status often indicated for this species is a misnomer and should be ignored.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10527148220022019
113508663519942019
12528138419972019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
109730914
11814173818
128520413

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Summary

VC10: Earliest: Totland, 18 Sep, 1 (RTe) Latest: Sandown, 22 May, 1 (JMar) Max count: Bonchurch, 02 Jun, 14 (JHa)

VC11: Earliest: Brockwood, 09 May, 1 (SDut) Latest: Southsea, 10 Nov, 1 (JRL) Max count: Fareham, 09 May, 18 (MLO)

VC12: Earliest: Harestock, 27 May, 1 (GRog) Latest: Yateley, 08 Sep, 1 (JHH) Max count: Farnborough, 26 May, 13 (KBW)

28.025 [B&F: 0654] Pleurota bicostella (Clerck, 1759) - Local

Local on moorland and heathland throughout the British Isles. In Hampshire rather infrequently recorded on the heaths of the New Forest and in the north-east of the county, but remaining extremely rare on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 23-25 mm. Large labial palps, with upward pointing tips, white costal streak and pair of small black discal spots; superficially similar to Sophronia semicostella, which lacks the two discal spots. Larva feeds on Bell Heather and Cross-leaved Heath, living within a silken web.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
103219742007
1110014119712019
12163819802015

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1113195
12342

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC11: Bramshaw, NF, five, field observation, 14 May (MB); Beaulieu Road, NF, two, field observation, 15 May (NRJ); Marchwood, one, 22 May (CTh); Woodlands, New Forest, present, 19 May (RBW); Ashurst, NF, one, 21 May (SAB); Totton, one, 21 May (LH); Fareham, one, 17 May (ADT det. RJD); Burton, nr Christchurch, one, 15 May; one, 21 May; two, 26 May; two, 06 Jun (JSw);

VC12: Liss Common, two, netted, 16 Jun (JHH, AMD); Ludshott Common, one, field observation, 21 May (KBW)

28.027 [B&F: 0653] Aplota palpellus (Haworth, 1828) - pRDB2

Vulnerable (proposed as a future Red Data Book species) in woodland and hedgerows in southern England, a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Not recorded for almost 100 years until when, in 1986, a dead specimen was found hanging from a spider's web on an oak trunk in Savernake Forest, Wiltshire, and since then in a number of other southern English counties subsequently. Not least Hampshire, where, having been last recorded from the New Forest in 1884, single examples were recorded from different locations in Mottisfont Great Copse in 2010, and then again in the north of the New Forest in 2013. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 12-14 mm. Larva feeds on various mosses, on walls, rocks and tree trunks.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
118918822016

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11111

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC11: East Tytherley, one, to actinic, 10 Aug (GCE)

28.028 [B&F: 0656a] Barea asbolaea (Meyrick, 1883) - Adventive

Naturalised through accidental introduction in garden plants, south-western England. In 2006, a moth trap operated at a garden near Buryas Bridge, Cornwall, revealed an unfamiliar Oecophoridae species that was quite unfamiliar. The moth remained a mystery for some while, but in 2008 large numbers were caught in a Penzance trap and small numbers were also caught at Crows an Wra, four miles to the west. With the help of a number of experts in Britain and abroad, identification via dissection was confirmed. Subsequently a photograph has been traced of the moth in 2004; this appears to be the earliest recorded example. It has been recorded in some numbers at the original site annually since. The particular origins of British specimens may be a local garden and nursery where antipodean plants have been imported since the late 1800s.

In July 2014 Iain Outlaw trapped a mystery oecophorid in Parkhurst Forest, Isle of Wight. In order to confirm the species it was necessary to gen. det. a male specimen to compare with the reference specimen in BMNH; however, all examples retained each year were female, until finally in July 2017 two males were collected and proved to be this species. It seems to be well established in the area, and has possibly only recently arrived, with 2014 seeing one, 2015 two, 2016 five and a big jump to 26 in 2017.

Records prior to 2020

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10117120142019

2020 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10276

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC10: Parkhurst Forest, six, 29 Jun; one, 28 Jul (IOu)