Photo © Dave Cooke
Argyresthia ivella
Checklist Number20.010 [B&F: 0409]
Verification
Record will require further evidence, at least a good photograph, unless CMR is aware recorder has confidence in identification
Classification
| Family: | Argyresthiidae |
| Subfamily: | Argyresthiinae |
| Genus: | Argyresthia |
| Species: | ivella |
| Authority: | (Haworth, 1828) |
A rarely encountered insect associated with orchards, and also on isolated wild apple trees, in England and Wales, as far north as Northumberland (MBGBI Vol 3). In Hampshire apparently formerly fairly widespread, but in recent years has only been reported sporadically. First recorded on the Isle of Wight at Newtown in 2011. Wingspan 10-12 mm.
Interestingly, the specific name ivella was coined as Haworth saw the Roman numerals 'IV' in the wing markings.
Despite what is quoted in most literature, the caterpillar of this species still seems to be largely unknown and like many species, references are handed down based on dubious sources: in MoGBI, the larva is said to feed on apple and hazel, but it appears that this is not based on primary information. Friese (1973: 733) urged his lepidopterologist colleagues: "Collectors should pay particular attention to this...rarely found species; further observations to clarify the biology would be very desirable. As with A. retinella, care must be taken to ensure that "The plant on which the butterflies are found does not have to be identical to the food plant for the caterpillars." A request that remains unchanged half a century later.
Interestingly, the specific name ivella was coined as Haworth saw the Roman numerals 'IV' in the wing markings.
Despite what is quoted in most literature, the caterpillar of this species still seems to be largely unknown and like many species, references are handed down based on dubious sources: in MoGBI, the larva is said to feed on apple and hazel, but it appears that this is not based on primary information. Friese (1973: 733) urged his lepidopterologist colleagues: "Collectors should pay particular attention to this...rarely found species; further observations to clarify the biology would be very desirable. As with A. retinella, care must be taken to ensure that "The plant on which the butterflies are found does not have to be identical to the food plant for the caterpillars." A request that remains unchanged half a century later.
The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:
No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Larval | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
VC10 Isle of Wight
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walter's Copse, Newtown (SZ49) | 03/07/2011 | one | Dave Cooke | Adult |
| Walter's Copse, Newtown (SZ49) | 09/07/2011 | one | Dave Cooke | Adult |
VC11 South Hampshire
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brockenhurst (SU30) | 1900 | - | W Fassnidge | - |
| NF (SU20) | 1900 | - | Victoria County Hist of Hants & IW 1900 | - |
| Whitley Wood, NF (SU20) | 1900 | - | W Fassnidge | - |
| Baddesley Great Covert (SU41) | 24/07/1935 | one | W Fassnidge | Adult |
| Baddesley Great Covert (SU41) | 05/06/1936 | one | W Fassnidge | Adult |
| Baddesley Great Covert (SU41) | 17/08/1936 | 10 | W Fassnidge | Adult |
| Baddesley Great Covert (SU41) | 12/07/1939 | one | W Fassnidge | Adult |
| Lyndhurst (SU30) | 1960 | - | David J L Agassiz | - |
| Minstead (SU21) | 23/08/1970 | - | L W Siggs | Adult |
| Rowner (SU50) | 30/07/1976 | one | Richard J Dickson | Adult |
| Hollands Wood, NF (SU30) | 25/07/1977 | one | Richard J Dickson | Adult |
| Sparsholt (SU43) | 18/04/1981 | - | J R Langmaid, D H, P H Sterling | Larval |
| Holmsley Inclosure, NF (SU20) | 01/07/1982 | - | P N Siddons | - |
| Pigbush, NF (SU30) | 01/07/1982 | - | P N Siddons | - |
| Mallard Wood, NF (SU30) | 03/07/1982 | - | J R Langmaid, D H, M J Sterling | Adult |
| Waterlooville (SU61) | 24/07/1999 | - | Richard J Moore | Adult |
| Pennington (SZ39) | 25/07/2003 | one | Richard Coomber | Adult |
| Rowner (SU50) | 2006 | one | Jonty Denton | Adult |
| Merritown Heath (SZ19) | 04/07/2015 | one | David Foot | Adult |
VC12 North Hampshire
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Itchen Abbas (SU53) | 1960 | - | D W H Ffennell | Adult |
| Alice Holt (SU84) | 1960 | - | T G Winter | Adult |
| Pamber Forest (SU66) | 14/08/1976 | one | Richard J Dickson | Adult |
| Leckford Estate (SU33) | 12/07/1981 | - | J R Langmaid, D H, P H Sterling | Adult |
| Martyr Worthy (SU53) | 16/07/1987 | one | D W H Ffennell | Adult |
| Eelmoor Marsh SSSI (SU85) | 23/08/1997 | - | David G Green | Adult |
| Pamber Forest (SU66) | 22/06/2003 | one | Graham Dennis | Adult |
| Pamber Forest (SU66) | 07/06/2016 | one | Graham J Dennis | Adult |
| Silchester (SU66) | 26/07/2016 | one | Graham J Dennis | Adult |
| Pamber Forest (SU66) | 17/07/2018 | one | Mark Hammond, Keith Tailby, Graham Dennis | Adult |
| Axmansford (SU56) | 13/07/2020 | one | Andy C Bolton | Adult |
| Great Haughurst Copse, Axmansford (SU56) | 20/08/2021 | one | Andy C Bolton | Adult |
VC22 West Berkshire (Hants county)
| Site | Date | Quantity | Recorder | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mortimer West End (SU66) | 17/06/1994 | one | Graham Dennis | Adult |