2023 Annual Report for: Pyralidae / Pyralinae

For species seen in 2023 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is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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 2023 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 2023, 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.

62.070 [B&F: 1414] Synaphe punctalis (Fabricius, 1775) - Local

Local on shingle beaches, sand-dunes, chalky ground and dry open areas in parts of southern England, predominantly coastal. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight common to very common on the coast, occasional inland where it has evidently decreased since the 1970s. Wingspan 22-27 mm. Long-legged, like Dolicharthria punctalis but that has a white discal spot, and second line is much more irregular and less conspicuous [Goater]. Larva feeds on various mosses, often on the ground.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10667182018562022
112679933218002022
1211518419512022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
112651467270
1223335

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Summary

VC10: Earliest: Rew Down, 25 Jul, 2 (AMD) Max count: Rew Down, 25 Jul, 2 (AMD)

VC11: Earliest: Horsea Island, 16 Jun, 1 (F.M.G.) Latest: Fareham, 09 Sep, 1 (MLO) Max count: Needs Ore NNR, 01 Jul, 270 (CNB)

VC12: Earliest: Littleton, 27 Jun, 1 (GCE) Latest: Farnham, 10 Aug, 0 (iNat) Max count: Chilbolton, 05 Jul, 5 (GCE)

62.072 [B&F: 1417] Meal Moth Pyralis farinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common

Common in farm buildings, barns, warehouses and granaries, also sometimes in houses, across much of Britain, occasionally recorded in the wider countryside. Distributed widely and evenly over Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight, with no particular pattern. Wingspan 22-30 mm. Nocturnal, but often easy to find on walls during the day. Main confusion species are P. lienigialis, which is much darker and lacks contrastingly pale median area, and Painted Meal Moth P. pictalis, which has straighter fasciae on forewing. Larva feeds on dried goods, cereals, grain and dry vegetable matter.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10705218562022
111308121219512022
1221721219512022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1175824
1221254

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC11: Marchwood, one, 09 Aug (CTha); Romsey, one, 05 Sep (NRJ); Dibden Purlieu, NF, one, 23 Jun; one, 23 Jul; one, 15 Sep (RAC); Blackfield, one, 05 Jun (SJJ); Blackfied, one, to a lighted window, 05 Jul (PGS); Spire Southampton Hospital, one, field observation, 18 Sep (PPir); Swaythling, Southampton, one, 29 Jun; one, 01 Jul; one, 07 Jul; one, 05 Sep; one, 23 Sep (MEdg); Peartree Green LNR, Southampton, one, 08 Oct (MGP); Stubbington, one, 24 Jun; one, 08 Sep; one, 23 Sep (DPH); Lee-on-Solent, one, 25 Sep (IHrg); Fareham, one, 14 Jun; one, 16 Jun; one, 18 Jun; one, 21 Jun; one, 26 Jun; one, 10 Jul; one, 18 Jul; one, 22 Aug (ADT); one, 12 Jun; one, 21 Jun; two, 26 Jun; one, 05 Sep (IMcP); one, 28 Jun; one, 06 Jul; one, 16 Jul; one, 18 Jul; one, 10 Sep; one, 05 Oct (MLO); two, 19 Jun; one, 27 Jun; one, 02 Jul; one, 18 Jul; two, 31 Aug; one, 10 Sep; one, 07 Oct; one, 09 Oct; one, 11 Oct (KJW); Portchester, one, 02 Sep; two, 07 Oct (CEH, JGS); one, 24 Jun; one, 27 Aug; one, 24 Sep (DH-J); Cosham: Queen Alexandra Hospital, one, 14 Jul (CEH, JGS); Portsmouth, one, 12 Jun; one, 23 Jun; one, 26 Jun; two, 27 Jun; four, 28 Jun; one, 19 Jul; one, 10 Aug (IRT); Waterlooville, one, 16 Sep; one, 25 Sep (DWhe); Soberton Heath, Winchester, present, field observation, 28 Jul (iNat); Cowplain, one, 10 Jun (JGdr); Stroud, Petersfield*, one, 05 Jul (RAll); Muscliffe, one, 26 Jun (KingB); Hurn, one, 10 Sep (MJef); Tuckton, Christchurch, one, 06 Sep (APard); Bransgore, one, indoors, 21 Aug (SPMC); Southsea, one, 17 Jun; one, 20 Jun; one, 02 Jul; one, 20 Jul; one, 21 Jul; one, 10 Sep; one, 09 Oct; one, 10 Oct (JGdr);

VC12: Lower Wyke Farm, St Mary Bourne, one, 07 Oct (GCE); Morn Hill, Winchester, one, 10 Jun (CRB, DAS, PDF et al); one, 10 Jun (CRB, PDF, DAS, LHur); North Waltham, one, 27 Aug (AJon); Basingstoke, one, 10 Jun (MJW); Alton, one, to artificial light, 11 Sep (DBO); Whitehill, one, 07 Jul; one, 16 Sep (ASto); Fleet, present, field observation, 02 Jul (iNat); Blackwater, one, 27 Jun (BGD); Farnborough, two, 15 Jun; two, 21 Jun; one, 24 Jun; four, 27 Jun; one, 07 Jul; one, 16 Jul; one, 19 Jul; one, 23 Aug; one, 30 Aug; one, 11 Sep; one, 16 Sep (KBW)

62.074 [B&F: 1421] Large Tabby Aglossa pinguinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) - Local

Local around farm buildings, barns, warehouses and granaries throughout the British Isles. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight probably overlooked due to its association with farm buildings, with less than ten records in most years, but over 20 records in 2005. Wingspan 30-40 mm. Very variable in size, but not really similar to any other British moth. Larva feeds on detritus and animal waste.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10322318562022
1115712619472022
12777019512021

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1115152
12441

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC11: Hale Purlieu, NF, one, 21 Jun (JPuz); North Baddesley, one, 06 Jul; one, 13 Jul (RWPas); Romsey, one, 09 Jun (MJB); Spire Southampton Hospital, dead, present, found dead, 03 Jul (PPir); Allbrook, one, field observation, 09 Jun; one, 17 Aug (SIng); Botley, one, 30 Jun (SLB); Horndean, present, field observation, 20 Jun (iNat); Stroud, Petersfield, one, 13 Jun (RAll); Hurn, one, field observation, 07 Jul; Jumpers Common, Christchurch, two, field observation, 30 Jun (MJef); Sway, two, 10 Aug (SKee); Pennington, one, 17 Aug; one, 21 Aug (RFC);

VC12: Chilbolton, one, field observation, 16 Jun (GCE); Ecchinswell*, one, indoors, 30 Jun (MJN); Basingstoke, one, 27 Jun (MJW); Farnborough, one, 24 Jun (KBW)

62.075 [B&F: 1413] Gold Triangle Hypsopygia costalis (Fabricius, 1775) - Common

Common in gardens, woodland and farmland throughout southern England. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 18-22 mm. One of the brightest-coloured and most easily recognisable micros, it has two distinct resting postures. Larva feeds on dry vegetable matter, hay and dead grasses.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
1024725118562022
112987368919512022
1271586319512022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1111618612
1223243

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Summary

VC11: Earliest: Botley Wood, 09 Jun, 1 (F.M.G.) Latest: Portchester, 09 Oct, 1 (CEH, JGS) Max count: Portchester, 16 Sep, 12 (DH-J)

VC12: Earliest: Blackwater, 12 Jun, 1 (BGD) Latest: Hammer Vale, Woolmer, 06 Oct, 1 (ASwa) Max count: Great Haughurst Copse, Axmansford, 12 Jul, 3 (ACB)

62.076 [B&F: 1415] Hypsopygia glaucinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common

Common around sheds and farm buildings, in gardens, hay-stacks, thatched roofs and bird nests throughout southern England. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 23-30 mm. Larva feeds on decaying vegetable matter such as hay, and on detritus in bird nests.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10726319002022
112000194619512022
1255559819512022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11991093
1229322

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Summary

VC11: Earliest: Allbrook, 10 Jun, 1 (SIng) Latest: Fareham, 20 Oct, 1 (KJW) Max count: Fareham, 10 Sep, 3 (MLO)

VC12: Earliest: North Waltham, 23 Jun, 1 (AJon) Latest: Windmill Hill, Chalton, 06 Oct, 1 (CJP) Max count: Selborne, 17 Aug, 2 (CJP)

62.077 [B&F: 1424] Endotricha flammealis ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) - Common

Common in woodland, heathland, gardens and waste ground throughout southern Britain. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 18-22 mm. The combination of relatively small size and distinctive resting posture, with head raised high, make this species readily recognisable, although it can be variably coloured. Larva feeds on Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil, and various species of deciduous tree, including Oak and Sallow.

Records prior to 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10812292419812022
1192222636619512022
122309710319512022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11448118561
1216835619

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Summary

VC11: Earliest: Swaythling, Southampton, 10 Jun, 1 (MEdg) Latest: Allbrook, 11 Oct, 1 (SIng) Max count: Needs Ore NNR, 02 Jul, 61 (PCra)

VC12: Earliest: Basingstoke, 17 Jun, 1 (MJW) Latest: Whitehill, 20 Oct, 1 (ASto) Max count: Pamber Forest, 18 Jul, 19 (GJD)