2022 Annual Report for: Gelechiidae / Anacampsinae

For species seen in 2022 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is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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 2022 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 2022, 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.

35.003 [B&F: 0844] Aproaerema larseniella (Gozmány, 1957) - Local

Local in rough ground and damp open areas throughout much of southern and eastern England. In south Hampshire, first recorded from Wickham in 1975, and subsequently from Ashurst, Ampfield and Botley Wood; in north Hampshire, first recorded in Selborne in 1996; subsequently, found to be relatively widespread across the county, and doubtless under-recorded in some areas, but not recorded on the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 11-14 mm. The most likely confusion species are S. cinctella and S. taeniolella, which see for differences. Larva feeds on Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil, living between leaves spun together with silk.

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
101120112011
111049619732021
12354719942021

2022 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11100
12221

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Franchises Wood, NF, present, 08 Jul (RBW);

VC12: Hurstbourne Priors, one, 21 Jul (GCE); Fleet Pond, one, 18 Jul (MHals)

35.004 [B&F: 0847] Aproaerema taeniolella (Zeller, 1839) - Local

Local on rough ground in England, south of a line from Shropshire to the Wash, becoming less common northwards; rarely in Wales, Scotland and Ireland. In Hampshire recorded in both vice-counties, sometimes commonly; on the Isle of Wight, although it almost certainly still occurs there, no recent record has been received. Wingspan 11-14 mm. The most likely confusion species are S. larseniella and S. cinctella, neither of which has a fascia on the underside of the forewing nor a costal spot on the underside of the hindwing (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). Larva feeds on Bird's-foot Trefoil, Clover, Black Medick and Spotted Medick, living between leaves spun together with silk.

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10172719002020
11442719732021
12121519852011

2022 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10331
11122
12221

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: West High Down quarries, one, hind wing checked, 12 Jul; Osborne Wood, one, 23 Jun; one, 18 Jul (IOu);

VC11: Browndown Coastal Ranges, two, one checked, 08 Jul (RJD, ADT, DWal & KJW det. RJD);

VC12: Longparish*, one, 21 Jul (GCE); Blackwater*, one, 12 Jul (BGD)

35.006 [B&F: 0846] Aproaerema vinella Bankes, 1898 - pRDB1

Endangered (proposed as a future Red Data Book species) and thought possibly extinct, as it was known only from rough pastures and field edges on the Wealden clay in Sussex, being last recorded on Ditchling Common in 1990: the decline was believed to be associated with the loss of the foodplant to agriculture.

It was therefore surprising when larval webs of this species were discovered at a site on the Isle of Wight in June 2013 - some 70km distant from the previously known locality - during a successful search for the larvae of Agonopterix atomella, and subsequently at two other localities there in June 2014 (S. D. Beavan and R. J. Heckford, Entomologists Gazette 65: 209-214 (2014)). It has subsequently been found in other sites nearby on the island.

Wingspan 11-12 mm.
The larva feeds on Dyer's Greenweed, living between leaves spun together with silk.

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10152020132021

2022 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10133

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: Newtown Meadows, three, swept, gen. det, 23 Apr (PBar)

35.010 [B&F: 0843] Aproaerema anthyllidella (Hübner, [1813]) - Local

Local on rough grassland and dry pastures throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight fairly common and widely recorded, especially on the south coast, but like many species, doubtless under-recorded in the north-west of the county; the lack of records from the New Forest may, however, be a genuine reflection of the species' status there. Apart from one record from Noar Hill in 1975, it was unknown in north Hampshire until 2003, when single individuals were recorded in Pamber Forest and Basingstoke, since when increasingly recorded in the north of the county. Wingspan 10-12 mm. The most likely confusion species are Eulamprotes immaculatella and Syncopacma albipalpella, which see for differences. Larva mines leaves of Kidney Vetch, Red Clover, White Clover, Common Restharrow, Sainfoin and Lucerne, subsequently feeding on the flowers and seeds.

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10395218502021
1119620619752021
12446419752021

2022 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1012132
1114163
1211122

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: West High Down quarries, one, 12 Jul (IOu); Totland, one, 1 x female gen. det, 01 Sep; one, 03 Sep (RTer); Freshwater, one, gen Det, 16 Sep (PBar); Ventnor, one, confirmed by dissection, 03 Oct (MGT); Bonchurch, one, gen. det, 12 Jul (JHa det. IOu); Shanklin, one, 18 Jul; one, 25 Aug; one, 02 Sep; two, confirmed by Gen. det. 13 September, 06 Sep; one, 27 Oct; Shanklin Upper Chine, one, 14 May (IOu);

VC11: Marchwood, one, 31 Aug; one, 27 Aug (CTha); Franchises Wood, NF, present, 22 Jul (RBW); Lee, two, 28 Aug (CTha); Fishlake Meadows, one, 26 Jul (NRJ); Fishlake, one, with Nigel Jones / Fishlake Meadows, 26 Jul (SIng); Portsmouth, one, 07 Jul; one, 10 Aug; one, 13 Aug; one, 04 Sep (IRT); Needs Ore NNR, one, 10 Jul; one, 19 Aug (CNB); Browndown Coastal Ranges, one, 08 Jul (RJD, ADT, DWal & KJW); three, 2 females 1 male. Genitalia 10,413 to 10,415. Ration of tegumen / aedeagus from tip to furthest point of bend = 0.5, 26 Aug (RJD, MLO, ADT & KJW det. RJD);

VC12: Cholderton, present, 19 Jul; one, 11 Sep; Anna Valley, Andover, one, 22 Sep (TJN); Morn Hill, Winchester, one, 09 Jul (CRB, DAS, PDF et al); Pamber Forest, two, 11 Jul; one, 18 Jul; one, 29 Jul (GJD); Blackwater, one, 18 Jul; two, 04 Sep; one, 15 Sep (BGD); Farnborough, one, 30 Aug (KBW)

35.011 [B&F: 0853] Anacampsis populella Clerck, 1759 - Common

Common in a wide range of habitats throughout much of Britain, but appears to be absent from the whole of southern Scotland (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). In Hampshire common and widespread, rather less common on the Isle of Wight, with only one recent record, at Cranmore in 2006. Wingspan 14-19 mm. Very variable with range of coloration and basic pattern the same as A. blattariella from which it can be reliably separated only by dissection of the genitalia, although the less strongly angled fascia (when visible) allows tentative identification (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). Larva feeds on Poplar, Aspen and Willow, living within a spun or rolled leaf.

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
1015418932020
1116813719702021
12314519762020

2022 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10133
11211
12221

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: Osborne Wood, three, 13 Aug (IOu);

VC11: Franchises Wood, NF, present, 16 Jul (RBW); Browndown Coastal Ranges, one, 12 Aug (KCok, RJD, MLO, ADT, DWal det. RJD);

VC12: Fleet Pond, one, s M Palmer conf, 20 Aug (MHals); Blackwater, one, 11 Jul (BGD)

35.012 [B&F: 0854] Anacampsis blattariella (Hübner, 1796) - Local

Local in heathland and woodland throughout much of England. Fairly widely recorded across much of Hampshire, but not particularly common, and remaining very rare on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 16-19 mm. Can be differentiated with certainty from A. populella only by the structure of the genitalia and the larval foodplant, although the more strongly angled fascia (when visible) allows tentative identification (MBGBI Vol 4 part 2). Larva feeds on Birch, living within a spun or rolled leaf.

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
102119952011
11878419762021
126311419762021

2022 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11551
12331

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Kings Somborne, one, 31 Aug; one, 31 Aug; Winter Down Copse, Little Somborne, one, 12 Jul; Crawley, one, 30 Jul (GCE); Allbrook, one, 17 Jul (SIng);

VC12: Crawley, one, 22 Jul (GCE); Hammer Vale, Woolmer, one, 25 Jul (ASwa); Fleet Pond, one, 01 Aug (MHals)

35.017 [B&F: 0797] Neofaculta ericetella (Geyer, [1832]) - Common

Common on heathland and moorland, also in gardens where heather is grown, throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire common on heathy ground, especially in the New Forest and on the heaths in the north-east of the county. On the Isle of Wight, only recorded in recent years from Headon Warren and Cranmore. Wingspan 15-18 mm. Larva feeds on flowers of Heather, Bell Heather and Cross-leaved Heath, subsequently living within a silken web.

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10175918902016
1114659419722021
1210323719742021

2022 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1121817
129163

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Totton, one, 16 Jun (LHan); Hengistbury Head, 17, 14 Jun (MJef);

VC12: Fleet Pond, one, field observation, 19 Apr (MHals); Yateley Common, two, field observation, 30 Apr; two, 27 May; one, 15 Apr; three, 30 Apr; three, 27 May; two, 14 May; Blackwater, one, 11 Jun; one, 23 Jun (BGD)

35.018 [B&F: 0858] Hypatima rhomboidella (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common

Common in woodland, heathland and scrub throughout the British Isles. The distribution in Hampshire mirrors those areas in which trapping effort is concentrated, and the moth is probably more widely distributed than the records suggest; very infrequently recorded from the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 15-19 mm. Superficially resembles the far more widespread and common Scrobipalpa costella, but H. rhomboidella is larger and has characteristic short, black, apical line. Larva feeds on Birch and Hazel, living within a spun or rolled leaf.

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10607018932021
119410219712021
12678019762021

2022 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10123725
11342
12352

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: Shanklin, one, 11 Jul; one, 23 Jul; two, 02 Aug; one, 05 Aug; one, 13 Aug; one, 15 Aug; one, 23 Aug; one, 30 Aug; one, field observation, 01 Sep; one, 17 Sep; one, 19 Sep; Osborne Wood, 25, 13 Aug (IOu);

VC11: Botley Wood, one, 23 Sep (RJD, MLO, DWal, KJW); The Hangers, Bishops Waltham, two, 06 Aug (SIng); Needs Ore NNR*, one, 29 Jul (CNB);

VC12: Little Somborne, two, 22 Jul; two, 22 Jul (GCE); Pamber Forest, one, 29 Jul (GJD)

35.0191 [B&F: 0857a] Anarsia innoxiella Gregersen & Karsholt, 2017 - Rare

A recently identified resident species, the larvae feeding on Acer species.

In Ent Rec J Var 129 (2017) a paper was published introducing Anarsia innoxiella as a species new to science, separated from the adventive A. lineatella.
Subsequently, a number of records of A. innoxiella have been discovered in southern England, with many more await confirmation. It is probably well established but local in south-east England. Since the separation of the two species, innoxiella has become reasonably widespread in Hampshire and was taken on Isle of Wight for the first time in 2021.

Most historic light-trapped specimens of the lineatella / innoxiella pair are most likely to refer to the latter, but this is by no means a hard and fast rule as there has been at least one specimen of the former at light (Dorset, 2003). Historic records without a supporting photo or specimen cannot be confirmed.

Distinguishable from lineatella by having a broadly longitudinal black spot followed by white in the middle of the wing (innoxiella has a straighter black streak in this area), but there is variation in both species. For other distinguishing features, see Ent Rec 129: 118.

Updated: July 2019 (taxonomic status)

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
101120212021
11516220062021
12121220182021

2022 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11761
1212132

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

No Adult records to show.

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC11: Marchwood*, one, 14 Jul (CTha); Woodlands, NF*, present, 12 Jul (RBW); Romsey*, one, 19 Jul (MJB); Vale Park, Chandler's Ford, one, 19 Aug (KArb); Titchfield Common, one, specimen in tube checked by RJDickson on 8.vii.2022, 07 Jul (DWal); Portsmouth, one, 07 Jul; one, 15 Jul (IRT);

VC12: Morn Hill, Winchester*, one, 09 Jul (CRB, DAS, PDF et al); Cheriton*, one, 12 Jul (DAS); North Waltham*, one, 07 Jul (AJon det. SFoo); Basingstoke, one, 08 Jul; one, 17 Jul; one, 18 Jul; one, 19 Jul (MJW); Alton, one, 26 Jun; two, 06 Jul; one, 08 Jul (DBO); Blackwater*, one, 30 Jul; one, 28 Aug (BGD)

35.020 [B&F: 0856] Anarsia spartiella (Schrank, 1802) - Local

Local on heathland, downland and waste ground throughout much of the British Isles. In Hampshire locally common in the south of the county, with the few records in the north-east at Yately, Bramshott and Ludshott Commons and in the Deadwater Valley. On the Isle of Wight, the only record since 1975, when found on Tennyson Down, is from Cranmore in 2004. Wingspan 12-15 mm. The female has long, exposed labial palps, which protrude conspicuously from the labial scale tufts. Larva feeds on shoots of Gorse, Broom and Dyer's Greenweed, living within a spinning.

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10252418992021
1113215919652020
12111219772020

2022 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
119114
12232

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Franchises Wood, NF, present, 16 Jun (RBW); Fareham, one, 11 Jul; four, 13 Jul (MLO); Hurn, one, 22 Jun; one, 06 Jul (MJef); Needs Ore NNR, one, 18 Jun; one, 03 Jul; one, 10 Jul; one, 07 Jun (CNB);

VC12: Fleet Pond, two, 06 Jul (MHals); Yateley Common, one, at dusk, 10 Jun (BGD)