72.076 [B&F: 2451] Clifden Nonpareil (Blue Underwing) Catocala fraxini (Linnaeus, 1758) - Recent colonist

A species that was a rare immigrant, temporarily established in Kent and the Norfolk Broads in the past, but which since c. 2005 now appears be making a comeback as a resident species in places. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight historically a rare immigrant with up to 1995 about twenty records altogether. Since 2006, the species has started to be recorded more regularly, for example, at Ventnor and Totland on the Island, and at Brockenhurst in the New Forest, and sightings have increased year on year. It is almost certainly resident in a number of localities across southern England (including our area) and while there is the possibility that some of these individuals may have originally originated from deliberate release of captive stock, it is most likely that most populations originate from migrants remaining to breed in this country. Wingspan male 84-100 mm, female 98-112 mm. The original name for this species, Blue Underwing, sums up the identification criteria nicely! Larva feeds on Aspen, no evidence of breeding in the UK.

Records prior to 2021

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	First Record	Last Record
10	101	106	1866	2020
11	201	207	1871	2020
12	107	117	1850	2020

2021 records

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	Max Quantity
10	9	9	2
11	28	36	6
12	7	7	1

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC10: Totland, , present, 11 Sep (NWel); Freshwater, one, 15 Sep (DCoo); Brook, one, 25 Sep (DWes & REJ); Cranmore, one, 08 Oct (KNow det. NKow); Newport, one, 22 Sep (DNor); Bonchurch, two, 15 Sep; one, 16 Sep (JHa); Alverstone, one, 08 Sep; one, 09 Sep (DFai);

VC11: Ringwood, one, 25 Sep (BWT); Fordingbridge, one, 08 Oct (SCT); Woodlands, NF, one, 07 Sep; one, 25 Sep (RBW); Romsey, one, 08 Sep; one, 17 Oct (NRJ); Broughton, one, indoors, 16 Sep (Unknown det. MJW); Stanbrige Earls, one, 07 Sep; one, 10 Sep (JRM); Sholing, Southampton, one, 05 Sep (ARC); Chandlers Ford, one, 14 Sep; six, 15 Sep (BEll); Allbrook, one, 02 Sep; one, 17 Sep; one, 22 Sep; one, 07 Oct (SIng); Titchfield Haven NNR, one, field observation, 13 Sep (RCar); Botley Wood, one, 10 Sep (RJD, MLO, DWal, KJW); Fareham, one, 02 Sep; one, 09 Sep (MLO); Botley, one, 30 Aug (SLB); West Walk, three, 24 Sep (RJD, MLO, ADT, KJW); Hurn, one, 14 Oct (MJef); Holmsley, NF, one, field observation, 11 Oct (MBri); Pennington, one, 10 Sep; one, 15 Sep; one, 25 Sep; two, 06 Oct (RFC);

VC12: Over Wallop, one, 07 Oct (CMap); Chilbolton, one, 09 Sep; Crawley, one, 09 Oct (GCE); Kempshott, one, 07 Sep (GAH); Ecchinswell, one, 22 Sep (MJN); Blackwater, one, 01 Sep; one, 12 Sep (BDal)

72.078 [B&F: 2452] Red Underwing Catocala nupta (Linnaeus, 1767) - Common

Common in woodland, parks, scrub, marshes and gardens throughout much of England and Wales. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight The most widely distributed of the Catocala group, but less so than formerly. Not particularly attracted to light, which may result in it being under-recorded, but it isn't seen by day resting on tree-trunks in the profusion of a few decades back. Wingspan 75-94 mm. The most likely confusion species are the very much less common Light Crimson Underwing C. promissa and Dark Crimson Underwing C. sponsa, in both of which the subterminal line is strongly dentate, and Rosy Underwing C. electa, in which the forewing is uniformly pale grey, without ochreous tint, the reniform stigma less clearly defined and the postmedian line more strongly dentate subcostally, with a costally directed tooth (MBGBI Vol 10). Larva feeds on Black Poplar, White Poplar, Aspen, Crack Willow and White Willow, over-wintering as an egg.

Records prior to 2021

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	First Record	Last Record
10	110	81	1856	2020
11	929	941	1950	2020
12	251	215	1951	2020

2021 records

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	Max Quantity
10	8	8	1
11	19	18	1
12	11	9	1

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

Record Details

VC10: Totland, one, 03 Sep; one, 01 Oct (RTer); Freshwater, one, 12 Sep; one, 21 Sep (DCoo); Brook, one, 25 Sep (DWes & REJ); Cranmore, one, 03 Sep (CHic); Rookley, one, 23 Aug; one, 01 Sep (JRB);

VC11: Avon Heath Country Park, one, 17 Aug (JFal); Ringwood, one, field observation, 16 Aug; one, 31 Aug (BWT); Fordingbridge, one, 20 Aug (SCT); Marchwood, one, 29 Aug; one, 02 Sep; one, 06 Sep (CTha); Totton, one, 22 Sep (CNB); one, 25 Aug; one, 26 Aug (LHan); Romsey, one, field observation, 14 Aug (NRJ); North Baddesley, one, field observation, 03 Sep (AJB); Lee-on-Solent, one, 31 Aug; one, 01 Sep (IHrg); Fareham, one, 09 Sep (MLO); one, to light, 04 Sep; one, to light, 26 Sep (KJW); Hengistbury Head, one, field observation, 24 Aug (RPro); Sway, present, field observation, 06 Oct (DMui);

VC12: Over Wallop, one, field observation, 05 Sep; one, 07 Oct (CMap); Anna Valley, Andover, one, 18 Sep (TJN, LFom); Winchester, present, field observation, 10 Aug (iNat); Overton, one, field observation, 30 Sep (PEH); Alton, one, 04 Sep (NDP); East Worldham, present, field observation, 05 Sep (iNat); Whitehill, one, 01 Sep (ASto); Hammer Vale, one, 23 Sep (ASwa); Frensham, one, to light, 22 Sep (PHal); Blackwater, one, 01 Sep (BDal)

72.079 [B&F: 2453] Rosy Underwing Catocala electa (Vieweg, 1790) - Vagrant/Accidental

Rare immigrant from southern Europe, appearing in southern England irregularly in the 20th Century. In the past two decades occurrences have been almost annual and signs that it may be on the verge of local colonisation. In our area, there have been six recorded on the Isle of Wight since 2009. Surprisingly, Hampshire had to wait until 2022 for the first mainland record. Wingspan 65-80 mm. The main confusion species are the very much more common Red Underwing C. nupta, which has the forewing more mottled and fasciae less deeply dentate, hindwing with dark marginal band somewhat narrower and its distal edge more irregular, and Dark Crimson Underwing C. sponsa, which has the forewing darker with reniform stigma large and pale (MBGBI Vol 10). Larva feeds on Grey Willow, Crack Willow, Black Poplar and White Poplar, no evidence of breeding in the UK.

Records prior to 2021

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	First Record	Last Record
10	4	4	2009	2017

2021 records

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	Max Quantity
10	1	1	1

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC10: Freshwater Bay, one, 30 Aug (SDav)

72.081 [B&F: 2455] Dark Crimson Underwing Catocala sponsa (Linnaeus, 1767) - Nationally Rare

A vulnerable Red Data Book species, in ancient oak woodland in parts of New Forest, also appearing as a migrant in the south, a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Confined as a breeding species to the New Forest in Hampshire. Formerly there were colonies in south Wiltshire until at least 1949. Occasional specimens reported from elsewhere in southern England, including several from north Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, are believed to be migrating or dispersing individuals. Wingspan 58-78 mm. The most likely confusion species are Red Underwing C. nupta and Light Crimson Underwing C. promissa, which see for differences. Larva feeds on Pedunculate Oak and Sessile Oak, over-wintering as an egg.

Records prior to 2021

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	First Record	Last Record
10	16	16	1893	2020
11	279	498	1881	2020
12	18	25	1979	2020

2021 records

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	Max Quantity
10	1	1	1
11	6	5	1
12	7	10	3

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

Record Details

VC10: Bonchurch, one, 25 Aug (JHa);

VC11: Furzehill, NF, one, 12 Aug (SLoa); Woodlands, NF, present, 01 Sep (RBW); Romsey*, one, 27 Aug; one, 06 Sep (NRJ); Ashley, one, 04 Sep; Winter Down Copse, Little Somborne, one, 19 Jul (GCE);

VC12: Crawley, one, 03 Sep; Goodworth Clatford, one, 30 Aug; Harewood Forest, one, 21 Jul; two, 21 Jul (GCE); Pamber Forest, one, field observation, 11 Aug; three, field observation, 11 Aug; Blackwater, one, 25 Aug (BDal)

72.082 [B&F: 2454] Light Crimson Underwing Catocala promissa ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) - Nationally Rare

A rare Red Data Book species, in ancient oak woodland in parts of southern England, a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. It is now confined to the New Forest and two large woodlands in south Wiltshire. There are also occasional records near the south coast between Dorset and Kent, which may refer to migrants. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight now confined to the New Forest; formerly more widespread, including a few records from vice-county 12, and there are two records from the Isle of Wight, in 1979 and 1982. Wingspan 50-66 mm. The most likely confusion species are Red Underwing C. nupta and Dark Crimson Underwing C. sponsa, which see for differences. Larva feeds on Pedunculate Oak and Sessile Oak, over-wintering as an egg.

Records prior to 2021

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	First Record	Last Record
10	13	12	1856	2020
11	746	1019	1800	2020
12	38	34	1800	2020

2021 records

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	Max Quantity
10	6	8	2
11	43	46	2
12	9	9	1

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

Record Details

VC10: Cranmore, one, 11 Aug (CHic); Walter's Copse, Newtown, one, 02 Jul (PBar); Parkhurst Forest, two, not previously recorded from Parkhurst, 03 Aug (IOut); Bonchurch, one, 14 Jul (JHa); Newport, two, 16 Aug (SuHug); Shanklin, one, field observation, 11 Aug (IOut);

VC11: Marchwood, one, 16 Jul; one, 01 Aug; one, 03 Aug; one, 09 Aug; two, 15 Aug; one, 19 Aug (TDCh); two, second individual identified, the first, presumed to be the same species flew from the trap before full identification was complete, 15 Jul; one, 17 Jul; one, 22 Jul; one, 26 Jul; one, 28 Jul; one, 05 Aug; one, 11 Aug; one, 15 Aug; one, 17 Aug; one, 04 Sep (CTha); Woodlands, NF, present, 28 Jul (RBW); East Tytherley, one, 14 Jul; one, 14 Jul; one, 14 Jul (GCE); Romsey, one, 01 Jul; one, 18 Jul; one, 27 Jul; one, 29 Jul; one, 30 Jul; one, 09 Aug; one, 11 Aug (NRJ); Winter Down Copse, Little Somborne, one, 11 Aug; one, 19 Jul; one, 11 Aug; one, 11 Aug (GCE); Allbrook, one, 16 Jul (SIng); Botley Wood*, two, 30 Jul (RJD, DWal, KJW det. KJW); two, 13 Aug (MLO, ADT, DWal, KJW); Fareham*, one, to light, male, 17 Aug (KJW); Botley*, one, 29 Jul (SLB); Wickham*, one, 17 Aug (JRDS); Highcliffe, one, 10 Aug (NMat); New Milton, one, 20 Aug (RPH det. GPal); Pennington, one, 19 Jul; one, 06 Aug; one, 13 Aug; one, 02 Sep (RFC);

VC12: Harewood Forest, one, 21 Jul; one, 21 Jul; Crawley, one, 04 Aug; one, 13 Jul (GCE); Burghclere, one, 14 Aug (PBlk); Hinton Ampner, one, 12 Aug (ASD); Great Haughurst Copse, Axmansford, one, 08 Jul (ACB, GJD); Pamber Forest, one, 01 Aug (GJD)

72.083 [B&F: 2463] Burnet Companion Euclidia glyphica (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common

Common in grassland, flower meadows, downland, woodland rides, roadside verges and embankments throughout England, Wales and Ireland. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 28-32 mm. Unmistakable. Day-flying. Larva feeds on White and Red Clover, Common Bird's-foot Trefoil, Black Medick, Lucerne and Tufted Vetch, over-wintering as a pupa.

Records prior to 2021

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	First Record	Last Record
10	100	83	1880	2020
11	535	913	1950	2020
12	1119	3103	1951	2020

2021 records

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	Max Quantity
10	7	10	2
11	16	24	4
12	65	126	11

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

Record Details

VC10: Stonewind footpath, Totland, two, field observation, 27 May (DCoo); Ningwood Common, one, 28 Jun; one, 23 Jun (KNow det. NKow); Cranmore, two, 28 May (NKow); two, 29 May; one, 08 Jun (KNow det. NKow); Kingston, one, 20 Jun (ENes);

VC11: Lower Test NR, one, transect, 10 Jun (SiKin); Nursling Substation, three, field observation, 02 Jun (JClx); Peartree Green LNR, Southampton, one, field observation, 05 Jun; one, field observation, 05 Jun; one, field observation, 02 Jun; one, field observation, 05 Jun; one, field observation, 13 Jun; Miller's Pond, Southampton, two, field observation, 11 Jun; one, field observation, 16 Jun (NBur); West Wood, two, field observation, 27 May; two, field observation, 28 May (A&LB); Compton Down, one, field observation, 28 May; Deacon Hill, four, field observation, 01 Jun (AJB); one, field observation, 17 May (A&LB); Speltham Down, Hambledon, one, transect, 26 May (PBru); Horndean, one, field observation, 06 Jun (PHog);

VC12: Danebury Hill Fort, one, transect, 14 Jun (MGri); Leckford, one, transect, 30 May; one, transect, 05 Jun; one, transect, 23 Jun; seven, field observation, 13 Jun; two, field observation, 12 Jun (GCE); Vernham Dean, four, field observation, 08 Jun; Kiblet Down, 11, field observation, 08 Jun (A&LB); Magdalen Hill Down, one, transect, 23 Jun (CBey); two, transect, 25 May; Magdalen Hill Down NR, two, field observation, 25 May (AJB); Magdalen Hill Down, one, transect, 05 Jun (CBey); Litchfield, six, field observation, 08 Jun (A&LB); Great Litchfield Down, one, field observation, 22 Jun (CEll); Old Burghclere, two, field observation, 06 Jun (GJD); Magdalen Hill Down, one, transect, 25 May (AJB); two, transect, 30 May; one, transect, 05 Jun; one, transect, 23 Jun (CBey); one, transect, 25 May; two, transect, 25 May (AJB); one, transect, 30 May; two, transect, 05 Jun; one, transect, 13 Jun; two, transect, 23 Jun (CBey); Magdalen Hill Down NR, four, field observation, 25 May (AJB); eight, field observation, 27 May (DAS); Magdalen Hill Down, one, transect, 12 Jun; one, transect, 17 Jun (BJon); Magdalen Hill Down NR, one, field observation, 30 May; one, field observation, 25 Jun (A&LB); one, transect, 29 May; one, transect, 05 Jun; Magdalen Hill Down, one, transect, 17 Jun; Magdalen Hill Down NR, two, transect, 17 Jun; Magdalen Hill Down, one, transect, 24 Jun (BJon); one, transect, 28 Jun (TGra); Morn Hill, Winchester, present, field observation, 29 Jul (DAS); one, transect, 28 Jun (CBey); one, transect, 18 May (DSte); two, transect, 08 Jun; one, transect, 28 Jun; one, transect, 08 Jun; one, transect, 28 Jun; three, transect, 28 Jun; eight, transect, 08 Jun; six, transect, 28 Jun; two, transect, 08 Jun (CBey); Old Down, Basingstoke, two, transect, 12 Jun; two, transect, 23 Jun; one, transect, 12 Jun (JLinc); Malshanger, two, field observation, 01 Jul (KRyl); Axmansford, one, field observation, 30 May (ACB); Cheriton Wood, one, field observation, 25 Jun (DAS); Mapledurwell Fen HIWWT, two, field observation, 22 Jun (GJD); Alton, present, field observation, 07 Jun (CJP); Noar Hill, one, field observation, 19 May (NBur); Lower Froyle, one, field observation, 03 Jul (SFC); Bramshott Common, one, transect, 08 Jun; one, transect, 08 Jun (AGre); West Minley, one, field observation, 26 May; one, field observation, 26 May (AJB,ClWoo); Yateley Common, one, field observation, 16 Jun (PBam); Minley Wood, one, field observation, 09 Jun (BDal); Hawley Meadows, one, field observation, 11 Jun (PBam)

72.084 [B&F: 2462] Mother Shipton Callistege mi (Clerck, 1759) - Common

Common in open grassland, heathland, moorland, woodland rides and roadside verges throughout much of England, Wales and southern Scotland. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight this diurnal species is locally fairly common on downland, in rough grassland and waste places where clovers and trefoils or lucerne occur. Wingspan 30-34 mm. Day-flying. Named after old Mother Shipton, a 16th-century Yorkshire witch. Larva feeds on White Clover, Red Clover, Hare's-foot Clover, Black Medick, Lucerne and Common Bird's-foot Trefoil, over-wintering as a pupa.

Records prior to 2021

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	First Record	Last Record
10	139	110	1951	2020
11	516	570	1951	2020
12	502	612	1951	2020

2021 records

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	Max Quantity
10	10	8	1
11	28	40	6
12	31	45	4

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

Record Details

VC10: Freshwater Bay, one, field observation, 05 Jun; one, field observation, 05 Jun (A&LB); Ningwood Common, one, 26 May; one, 07 Jun; Cranmore, one, 08 Jun (KNow det. NKow); Whale Chine, one, field observation, 04 Jun; one, field observation, 04 Jun (A&LB); Newtown Meadows, one, 11 Jun; one, 24 Jun (KNow det. NKow); Newtown, one, field observation, 06 Jun; one, field observation, 06 Jun (A&LB); Haddon's Pits, , present, 05 Jun; Laundry Lane, , present, 29 May (KVin);

VC11: Blashford Lakes, two, transect, 04 Jun (BJon); Mockbeggar, Ringwood, two, transect, 05 Jun (JLev); Bentley Wood, one, field observation, 09 Jun (A&LB); Foxbury, NF, one, transect, 05 Jun (CDC); Nursling Substation, two, field observation, 03 Jun (JClx); Ridges Grove NT, two, field observation, 15 May (A&LB); Keeping Marsh, NF, one, transect, 03 Jun (JAnn); Weston Shore, Southampton, one, field observation, 31 May; Peartree Green LNR, Southampton, one, field observation, 07 Jun; one, field observation, 18 May (NBur); Swaythling, Southampton, one, netted, 14 Jun (MEdg); Peartree Green LNR, Southampton, one, field observation, 07 Jun; Miller's Pond, Southampton, one, field observation, 16 Jun; one, field observation, 11 Jun (NBur); Wildern LNR, Hedge End, one, field observation, 03 Jun (TCrw det. SFin); Farley Mount, one, transect, 29 May (RBro); Yew Hill, Winchester, one, transect, 07 Jun (SMcL); Compton Down, four, field observation, 28 May; Deacon Hill, one, field observation, 01 Jun (AJB); Botley, one, field observation, 15 Jun (SLB); Queen Elizabeth CP, six, field observation, 27 Jun; one, field observation, 13 Jun (SJDa); Roydon Woods, NF, one, transect, 19 May; one, transect, 01 Jun; one, transect, 05 Jun; one, transect, 13 Jun (BSch); Normandy Marsh, one, transect, 25 Jun (SBum); Lepe Country Park, one, transect, 09 Jun (MSmi);

VC12: Leckford, one, transect, 05 Jun; two, field observation, 12 Jun (GCE); Kiblet Down, one, field observation, 08 Jun (A&LB); Pilot Hill, Faccombe, one, transect, 05 Jun (MGri); Magdalen Hill Down, one, transect, 19 May; one, transect, 19 May; one, transect, 05 Jun (CBey); Chilbolton, one, field observation, 31 May (GCE); Litchfield, one, field observation, 08 Jun (A&LB); Old Burghclere, two, field observation, 06 Jun (GJD); Magdalen Hill Down NR, three, field observation, 27 May (DAS); three, field observation, 30 May (A&LB); one, transect, 12 Jun (BJon); Magdalen Hill Down, one, transect, 25 May; four, transect, 05 Jun; one, transect, 05 Jun (DSte); Overton, three, field observation, 08 Jun (ACB); Ashford Hill Woods & Meadows, three, transect, 13 Jun (LoWoo); Selborne, one, transect, 03 Jun; two, transect, 03 Jun (CJP); Shortheath Common, one, field observation, 03 Jun (DAS); Bentley Station Meadow, one, transect, 09 Jun; one, transect, 09 Jun; one, transect, 09 Jun (JOat); Bartley Heath, one, transect, 31 May (KRic); one, transect, 13 Jun (JOat); Bramshott Common, one, transect, 01 Jun; one, transect, 26 May; one, transect, 08 Jun (AGre); Minley Wood, one, field observation, 10 Jun (BDal); Minley Meadows, one, field observation, 26 May (AJB)

72.086 [B&F: 2456] Lunar Double-stripe Minucia lunaris ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) - Migrant

Rare immigrant from southern Europe, appearing in south-eastern England and temporarily resident in east Kent from at least 1942 to 1958. Five immigrants were recorded in 1992. In Hampshire recorded twice, at Lee-on-Solent on 29 May 1954 and at Pennington Marsh on 9 June 2006, and 2020 saw the first for the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 55-62 mm. Larva feeds on Pedunculate Oak, no evidence of breeding in the UK.

Records prior to 2021

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	First Record	Last Record
10	1	1	2020	2020
11	2	2	1954	2006

2021 records

Vice County	#Records	#Individuals	Max Quantity
10	1	1	1

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC10: Bonchurch, one, 02 Jun (JHa)

Bonchurch, IoW
02/06/2021
to MV light
James Halsey
Photo © James Halsey

Bonchurch
02/06/2021
James Halsey
Photo © James Halsey