2022 Annual Report for: Ypsolophidae / Ypsolophinae

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taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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

17.001 [B&F: 0451] Ypsolopha mucronella (Scopoli, 1763) - Local

Local in woodland on chalky soils throughout southern England. Fairly widely distributed across Hampshire, wherever the foodplant is found, but decidedly uncommon on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 26-33 mm. The distinctive attenuated resting posture is shared by a few other species of Ypsolopha, and most closely resembles Y. nemorella, which has a strong basal streak, lacking in Y. nemorella. Larva feeds on Spindle, beneath a silken web.

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10111119002020
11816819712021
12798619822021

2022 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11441
12331

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Romsey, one, 09 May (NRJ); Winter Down Copse, Little Somborne, one, 28 Mar; one, 28 Mar; one, 28 Mar (GCE);

VC12: Barton Stacey, one, 02 May (GCE); Basingstoke, one, 28 Mar (GAH); Mapledurwell Fen HIWWT, one, field observation, 03 Apr (GJD)

17.002 [B&F: 0452] Ypsolopha nemorella (Linnaeus, 1758) - Local

Local in woodland throughout the British Isles, except the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland; rare in Ireland (MBGBI Vol 3). In Hampshire and Isle of Wight widespread but usually uncommon in woodland, principally in the south of our region. Wingspan 21-24 mm. Larva feeds on Honeysuckle, beneath a silken web, over-wintering as an egg.

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10202119262021
11806919582020
12121219942018

2022 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10111
11331
12221

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: West High Down quarries, one, 12 Jul (IOu);

VC11: Romsey, one, 07 Jul; one, 08 Jul (NRJ); Hurn, one, 08 Jul (MJef);

VC12: Overton, one, 28 Aug (ACr); Hammer Vale, Woolmer, one, 03 Aug (ASwa)

17.003 [B&F: 0453] Honeysuckle Moth Ypsolopha dentella (Fabricius, 1775) - Common

Common in woodland, hedgerows and gardens throughout the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight present in small numbers in most ten-kilometre squares. Wingspan 20-22 mm. Unmistakable, with characteristic upturned wingtips. Larva feeds on Honeysuckle, beneath a silken web, over-wintering as an egg.

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10424418562021
1145750219712021
1224230719942021

2022 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
104118
1116276
121091

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: West High Down quarries, eight, 12 Jul (IOu); Totland, one, 30 Jul (RTer); Shanklin, one, 04 Aug; one, 15 Aug (IOu);

VC11: Furzehill, NF, one, 20 Jul (SLoa); Marchwood, one, 02 Aug; one, 18 Aug (CTha); Romsey, one, 07 Jul (NRJ); Hurn, one, 14 Jul; Hengistbury Head, one, 26 Jul; two, 11 Jul (MJef); Highcliffe, one, 17 Jul (NMat); Milford on Sea, one, 03 Aug; one, 18 Aug (MMcM); Needs Ore NNR, one, 29 Jul; one, 05 Jul; six, 14 Jul; four, 21 Jul; three, 25 Jul; one, 28 Jul (CNB);

VC12: Cholderton, present, 19 Jul (TJN); Little Somborne, one, 22 Jul; Littleton, one, 23 Jul; one, 23 Jul (GCE); Cheriton, one, 19 Jul; one, 27 Jul (DAS); North Waltham, one, 27 Jul; one, 30 Jul (AJon); Ecchinswell, one, 06 Jul; one, 29 Jul (MJN)

17.005 [B&F: 0455] Ypsolopha scabrella (Linnaeus, 1761) - Common

Common in gardens and open woodland throughout England and Wales, but less numerous in the northern uplands. Fairly well distributed, with a southerly bias, in Hampshire, but recorded very infrequently on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 15-21 mm. Distinguished from all other Ypsolophinae by the three sets of raised scale tufts on the dorsal part of the forewing, but even when these have worn away, is still fairly unmistakable. Larva feeds on Hawthorn, Apple and Cotoneaster, beneath a silken web, over-wintering as an egg.

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10202619002020
1129634019712021
1223626919762021

2022 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10364
11452
1223303

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: West High Down quarries, four, 12 Jul; Shanklin, one, 13 Aug; one, 31 Aug (IOu);

VC11: Romsey, two, 21 Jul (NRJ); Broughton, one, 16 Jul (GCE); Allbrook, one, 30 Jul (SIng); Fareham, one, 26 Jul (IMcP);

VC12: Cholderton, present, 19 Jul (TJN); Crawley, one, 01 Aug; Littleton, two, 23 Jul (GCE); Teg Down, Winchester, one, 17 Jul (CKni); Hurstbourne Priors, one, 21 Jul (GCE); Morn Hill, Winchester, one, 13 Aug (CRB, DAS, PDF et al); North Waltham, three, 21 Jul (AJon); Tidgrove Warren, nr Overton*, two, 23 Jul (MJW, ACB det. MJW); one, 10 Aug (ACB det. MJW); Basingstoke, one, 10 Jul; two, 12 Jul; three, 18 Jul; one, 19 Jul; one, 28 Jul; two, 29 Jul; one, 29 Jul (MJW); Alton, one, 06 Jul; one, 02 Aug (DBO); Whitehill, one, 06 Jul; one, 20 Jul (ASto); Hammer Vale, Woolmer, one, 21 Jul; one, 25 Aug; one, 04 Sep (ASwa)

17.006 [B&F: 0456] Ypsolopha horridella (Treitschke, 1835) - Nationally Scarce B

Nationally scarce (Nb) in open woodland and gardens throughout southern England and northern Wales. Barely annual in Hampshire, where recorded widely, but only regular on the coast in the south-east of the county; very rare on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 16-21 mm. Positioning and size of scale tufts on dorsum, and fuscous colouring distinguish Y. horridella from its congeners. Larva feeds on Apple and Blackthorn, beneath a silken web, over-wintering as an egg.

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
105720012020
1110819762021
126519982021

2022 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
12331

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC12: Longparish, one, 21 Jul; Cole Henley*, one, 23 Aug (GCE); Blackwater*, one, 27 Jul (BGD)

17.008 [B&F: 0458] Ypsolopha alpella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) - Local

Local in oak woodland throughout much of southern England and southern Wales, north to Yorkshire. Fairly frequent in south Hampshire, but uncommon in north Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 14-18 mm. The main confusion species are Y. lucella, from which Y. alpella can be distinguished by the thorax being concolorous with the base of the forewing, and by the presence of fasciae, although on worn specimens these can be inconspicuous; and Y. sylvella from which Y. alpella can be distinguished by its smaller and less conspicuous fasciae, and by the paler ground colour of its forewing (MBGBI Vol 3). Larva feeds on Oak, beneath a silken web, over-wintering as an egg.

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
107819512020
11999219722021
12272919952021

2022 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
10111
11331

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: Shanklin, one, 31 Aug (IOu);

VC11: Allbrook, one, 21 Jul; one, 25 Aug (SIng); Pennington*, one, 31 Aug (RFC)

17.009 [B&F: 0459] Ypsolopha sylvella (Linnaeus, 1767) - Local

Local in oak woodland throughout much of southern England and Wales, with records north to Yorkshire. In Hampshire there is a scattering of records generally away from the chalk and concentrated in the south and south-west of the county. Apart from one, possibly unconfirmed, record from 2013, not seen on the Island since Victorian times. Wingspan 17-19 mm. Similar to Y. alpella, but generally darker with more obvious fasciae (MBGBI Vol 3). Larva feeds on Oak, beneath a silken web, over-wintering as an egg.

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
104118562013
11323019802021
12161819802020

2022 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11111
12111

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Winter Down Copse, Little Somborne, one, 12 Jul (GCE);

VC12: Great Haughurst Copse, Axmansford, one, 29 Oct (ACB)

17.010 [B&F: 0460] Ypsolopha parenthesella (Linnaeus, 1761) - Common

Common in woodland throughout much of the British Isles, except the Outer Hebrides and Shetland. Common and widespread in Hampshire, though Isle of Wight records remain sparse. Wingspan 15-19 mm. Unicolorous forms can be distinguished from similar forms of Y. ustella

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
1015129118562021
1123727819712021
1221633919762021

2022 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1024506
11363
12331

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: Ventnor, one, worn, 03 Oct (MGT); Shanklin, two, 08 Jul; one, 18 Jul; one, 04 Aug; one, 05 Aug; three, 13 Aug; one, 14 Aug; two, 23 Aug; six, 29 Aug; three, 30 Aug; four, 31 Aug; one, 01 Sep; one, 03 Sep; one, 14 Sep; one, 15 Sep; one, 16 Sep; four, 17 Sep; three, 18 Sep; three, 19 Sep; one, 22 Sep; two, 25 Oct; one, 26 Oct; Osborne Wood, five, 13 Aug; Sandown*, one, field observation, 30 Jul (IOu);

VC11: Hen Wood, three, 19 Aug (KCok, MLO, ADT, DWal, KJW det. RJD); Hengistbury Head, two, 11 Jul; one, 18 Oct (MJef);

VC12: Basingstoke, one, 10 Aug; one, 12 Aug (GAH); Hammer Vale, Woolmer, one, 23 Aug (ASwa)

17.011 [B&F: 0461] Ypsolopha ustella (Clerck, 1759) - Common

Common in oak woodland and areas with scattered oaks throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 15-20 mm. Very variable, plain forms can be confused with plain forms of Y. parenthesella. Larva feeds on Oak leaves, beneath a silken web.

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
107411518562021
1153764419712021
1210013619742021

2022 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
109112
1122212
1214195

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC10: Ventnor, one, 27 Oct (MGT); Bonchurch, one, 03 Mar; one, 08 Mar; one, 19 Mar; one, 15 Jul; two, 17 Jul (JHa); Shanklin, one, 11 Jul; Osborne Wood, one, 18 Jul; two, 13 Aug (IOu);

VC11: Ogden's Purlieu, NF, one, 18 Jul (AMD); Franchises Wood, NF, present, 01 Feb (RBW); Totton, one, 05 Oct; one, 29 Oct (LHan); Romsey, one, 24 Oct (MJB); one, 19 Feb; one, 27 Feb; one, 06 Jul (NRJ); Needs Ore NNR, one, 09 Jul (CNB); Dibden Purlieu, one, 13 Aug (RAC); Bassett Wood, one, 21 Mar (PPir); Thornhill, Southampton, one, field observation, 27 Dec (PAB); Stubbington, one, 12 Nov (DPH); Fareham, one, 06 Sep (IMcP); Lovedean, one, 02 Feb (ARJ); Hurn, one, 12 Oct; Hengistbury Head, two, 18 Oct; one, 11 Jul (MJef); Sway, one, 14 Aug; one, 27 Oct (SKee); Sway, NF, present, 13 Aug (DMui); Pennington, one, 13 Aug (RFC);

VC12: Chilbolton, one, 10 Nov (GCE); Whitehill, one, 08 Feb (ASto); Hammer Vale, Woolmer, one, 31 Aug (ASwa); Fleet Pond, one, 14 Aug (MHals); Yateley Common, five, 28 Mar; one, field observation, 10 Mar; one, to pheromone lure, to FUN lure, 20 Mar; Blackwater, one, 01 Feb; one, 07 Feb; one, 08 Feb; two, 18 Jul; one, 19 Jul; one, 14 Aug (BGD); Farnborough, one, 08 Feb (KBW)

17.012 [B&F: 0462] Ypsolopha sequella (Clerck, 1759) - Common

Common in woodland and urban areas, especially where Field Maple is planted, throughout England and Wales. Fairly widely distributed across Hampshire, but usually no more than about a dozen records annually, and decidedly uncommon on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 17-20 mm. Unmistakable. Larva feeds on the foliage of Field Maple, living beneath a silken web.

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10637119262021
1115716019722021
1221626319892021

2022 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1012164
1113131
1215141

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC10: Tennyson Down, one, 18 Sep (PBar); West High Down quarries, four, 12 Jul (IOu); one, 22 Sep (MGT); Freshwater, one, 22 Sep; Brook Down, one, 25 Sep (PBar); Newport*, one, 27 Sep (DPl); Newtown, one, 13 Sep (PBar); Shanklin, one, 19 Aug; one, 17 Sep; one, 19 Sep; one, 05 Oct; Osborne Wood*, two, 14 Sep (IOu);

VC11: Totton, one, 11 Aug (LHan); Kings Somborne, one, 31 Aug; Ashley, one, 09 Oct (GCE); Dibden Purlieu*, one, 23 Aug; one, 01 Sep; one, 04 Sep (RAC); Vale Park, Chandler's Ford, one, 28 Aug (KArb); Allbrook, one, 26 Aug (SIng); Fareham, one, 18 Jul; one, 03 Aug; one, 14 Sep (MLO); Hurn, one, 03 Oct (MJef); Sway, one, 19 Sep (SKee);

VC12: Anna Valley, Andover, one, 23 Aug (TJN); Littleton, one, 15 Aug; one, 12 Sep; one, 12 Sep (GCE); North Waltham, one, 01 Aug; one, 29 Aug (AJon); Basingstoke, one, 03 Sep (GAH); present, field observation, 08 Aug (PWat); Alton, one, 02 Aug; one, 15 Aug; one, 30 Aug (DBO); Selborne, one, 17 Aug; one, 18 Aug (CJP); Blackwater, one, 18 Jul; one, 15 Sep (BGD)

17.013 [B&F: 0463] Ypsolopha vittella (Linnaeus, 1758) - Local

Local in woodland, thickets, copses and areas with scattered trees throughout much of the British Isles, except for the far north of Scotland, the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland. In Hampshire there have been only a few recent records at widely scattered sites across the county. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight in recent years. Wingspan 16-20 mm. Larva feeds on Elm and Beech, beneath a silken web, over-wintering as an egg.

Records prior to 2022

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
102119231948
115419832017
122120002003

2022 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: Winter Down Copse, Little Somborne*, one, 12 Jul (GCE)