2021 Annual Report for: Erebidae / Scoliopteryginae

For species seen in 2021 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is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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 2021 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 2021, 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.

72.001 [B&F: 2469] Herald Scoliopteryx libatrix (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common

Common in broad-leaved woodland, fens, heathland, parks and gardens throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight widespread and generally common, and comes freely to sugar, and also to light before and after hibernation; hibernating moths can be found in sometimes large groups in cellars, garages and outhouses. Wingspan 46-52 mm. Unmistakable. Larva feeds on Grey Willow, Creeping Willow, Aspen, White Poplar and Black Poplar; often found on bushes of sallow, willow and poplar in late summer.

Records prior to 2021

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
1025627119782020
112216219419512020
1248945119512020

2021 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1012122
11558115
1220191

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: Totland, one, 26 Jul; one, 29 Jul (RTer); Cranmore, one, 19 Jul (CHic); Cowes, one, field observation, 17 Jul (DNor); Bonchurch, one, 31 May (JHa); Shanklin, one, 27 May; two, 17 Jul; one, 20 Jul; one, indoors, 09 Oct; Shanklin Upper Chine, one, 18 Jul; Osborne Valley Walk, one, 22 Jul (IOut);

VC11: Ashley Heath, one, 08 Jul (SDut); Furzehill, NF, 15, field observation, 05 Oct (SLoa); Bank, one, to light, 10 Jul (RPeg); Marchwood, one, 13 Aug (CTha); Woodlands, NF, present, 28 May (RBW); Totton, one, 14 Jul; one, 15 Jul; one, 19 Jul; one, 21 Jul; one, 22 Jul; one, 25 Jul; one, 04 Sep (LHan); Lee, nr Nursling, one, 01 Apr; one, 28 May (CTha); Woodley, one, 16 Jul (NBin); Romsey, one, 31 May; one, 15 Jul (MBak); Broughton, one, 30 Mar; Houghton, one, 05 Sep (GCE); Blackfield, one, 22 Sep (SJJ); Southampton, one, 22 Aug (MGP); Allbrook, one, 08 Jul; two, 22 Jul (SIng); Brownwich cliffs, one, 16 Jul (MLO, RJD, KJW); two, at over-ripe blackberries by torchlight, 17 Sep; Botley Wood, nine, by torchlight, 4 on guelder rose berries, 5 on blackberries by torchlight, 15 Oct (RJD, MLO, DWal, KJW); six, by torchlight, 6 to guelder rose berries by torchlight, 22 Oct (RJD, MLO, ADT, DWal, KJW); Fareham, one, 23 Apr; one, 22 Jul; one, 14 Aug (ADT); one, 21 Jul; one, 20 Aug; one, 08 Sep (IMcP); one, 28 Feb; one, 12 Sep (MLO); Bridgemary, Totton, present, field observation, 21 Sep (iNat); Botley, one, 27 May; one, 11 Jul; one, 27 Jul; one, 23 Sep (SLB); Wickham, one, 31 May (JRDS); Portsmouth, one, 22 Jul (IRT); Petersfield, one, 07 May (RAll); Winton Recreation Ground, Christchurch, one, 13 Jul (JCla); Hurn, one, 19 Jul (MJef); Tuckton, Christchurch, one, 29 Mar; one, 17 Jul (APar); Burton, nr Christchurch, one, 22 Jul; one, 30 Jul (JStw); New Milton, one, 22 Jul (RPH); Sway, present, field observation, 11 Oct (DMui); Lymington, one, field observation, 01 Oct (MFus); Pennington, one, 09 May; one, 27 Jul (RFC); Eastoke, Hayling Island, one, indoors, 01 Oct (STho);

VC12: Over Wallop, one, 14 Aug (CMap); Anna Valley, Andover, one, 10 Oct (TJN, LFom); Goodworth Clatford, one, 12 Aug (JMor); Harewood Forest, one, 21 Jul; one, 21 Jul; Crawley, one, 08 Nov (GCE); Harestock, one, field observation, 07 Aug (MWil det. MWi); one, 02 Aug; one, 03 Aug (GRog); Malshanger, nr Basingstoke, one, field observation, 03 Nov (CLW det. CLW); Great Haughurst Copse, Axmansford, one, 20 Apr (ACB); Basingstoke, one, 19 Mar (DLev); one, 22 Jul (MJW); Liss, one, 23 Apr (LBen); Chawton, one, field observation, 12 Aug (DAS); Alton, one, 24 Mar (NDP); Whitehill, one, 31 Mar (ASto); Bordon, present, field observation, 02 Aug (LWea); Blackwater, one, indoors, 05 Nov (BDal); Farnborough, one, 18 Jul (KBW)