2023 Annual Report for: Erebidae / Erebinae
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is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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.
72.076 [B&F: 2451] Clifden Nonpareil (Blue Underwing) Catocala fraxini (Linnaeus, 1758) - Recent colonist
A species that was a rare immigrant, temporarily established in Kent and the Norfolk Broads in the past, but which since c. 2005 now appears be making a comeback as a resident species in places. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight historically a rare immigrant with up to 1995 about twenty records altogether. Since 2006, the species has started to be recorded more regularly, for example, at Ventnor and Totland on the Island, and at Brockenhurst in the New Forest, and sightings have increased year on year. It is almost certainly resident in a number of localities across southern England (including our area) and while there is the possibility that some of these individuals may have originally originated from deliberate release of captive stock, it is most likely that most populations originate from migrants remaining to breed in this country. Wingspan male 84-100 mm, female 98-112 mm. The original name for this species, Blue Underwing, sums up the identification criteria nicely! Larva feeds on Aspen, no evidence of breeding in the UK.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 116 | 121 | 1866 | 2022 |
| 11 | 308 | 311 | 1871 | 2022 |
| 12 | 125 | 134 | 1850 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 33 | 36 | 2 |
| 12 | 31 | 32 | 2 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Brockwood, one, 19 Aug; Purewell, one, field observation, 20 Aug (JPal); Marchwood, one, 30 Aug; Christchurch, one, field observation, 30 Aug (NKing); one, 02 Sep (SDut); Sway, one, 05 Sep (SKee); Stubbington, one, 06 Sep (DPH); Portchester, one, 06 Sep (CEH, JGS); Botley Wood, two, 08 Sep (F.M.G.); Warren's Park, NF, one, field observation, 09 Sep (RBW); Crawley*, two, 10 Sep (GCE); Allbrook, one, 14 Sep (SIng); Funtley, one, 14 Sep (TDC); Lee, one, 16 Sep (CTha); Pennington, one, 16 Sep; Lymington, one, 17 Sep; Waterlooville, one, 18 Sep; Hale Purlieu, NF, one, 19 Sep (JPuz); one, 21 Sep; Old Winchester Hill, one, 22 Sep; one, 22 Sep (F.M.G.); Stanbridge Earls, two, 24 Sep; Hurn, one, 24 Sep; one, 25 Sep (RFC); East Tytherley*, one, 26 Sep (GCE); one, 01 Oct (DWhe); Romsey, one, 03 Oct (MJB); two, 04 Oct; one, 07 Oct (JRM); one, 07 Oct (MJef); North Poulner, Ringwood, present, 09 Oct (ASho); one, 09 Oct (PRD); one, 17 Oct (NRJ);
VC12: Nettlebed Farm, Bighton, one, field observation, 22 Aug (MPark det. JGdr); Whitehill, one, 31 Aug; Farnham, present, field observation, 03 Sep (iNat); Pamber Forest, one, 04 Sep; Cheriton*, one, 06 Sep (DAS); one, 06 Sep; one, 06 Sep; Shepherd Meadows, Blackwater, one, field observation, 06 Sep (BGD)Selborne, one, 08 Sep; one, 08 Sep (CJP); Morn Hill, Winchester, one, 09 Sep (CRB, PDF, DAS, LHur); Hinton Ampner*, one, 10 Sep (ASD); North Waltham, one, 10 Sep (AJon); Ecchinswell, one, 10 Sep (MJN); one, 10 Sep; Hammer Vale, Woolmer, one, 10 Sep; one, 11 Sep (GCE); Four Marks, one, field observation, 11 Sep (Unkn.); Hurstbourne Tarrant, one, field observation, 12 Sep (Unkn.); one, 12 Sep; Anna Valley, Andover, two, 16 Sep; Barton Stacey*, one, 16 Sep; one, 16 Sep; Blackwater, one, 16 Sep; one, 24 Sep; Ropley, one, to artificial light, 03 Oct (iNat); two, 03 Oct (GJD); Chilbolton, one, 08 Oct (GCE); one, 10 Oct (TJN); one, 10 Oct (ASwa); one, 19 Oct (ASto);
72.078 [B&F: 2452] Red Underwing Catocala nupta (Linnaeus, 1767) - Common
Common in woodland, parks, scrub, marshes and gardens throughout much of England and Wales. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight The most widely distributed of the Catocala group, but less so than formerly. Not particularly attracted to light, which may result in it being under-recorded, but it isn't seen by day resting on tree-trunks in the profusion of a few decades back. Wingspan 75-94 mm. The most likely confusion species are the very much less common Light Crimson Underwing C. promissa and Dark Crimson Underwing C. sponsa, in both of which the subterminal line is strongly dentate, and Rosy Underwing C. electa, in which the forewing is uniformly pale grey, without ochreous tint, the reniform stigma less clearly defined and the postmedian line more strongly dentate subcostally, with a costally directed tooth (MBGBI Vol 10). Larva feeds on Black Poplar, White Poplar, Aspen, Crack Willow and White Willow, over-wintering as an egg.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 130 | 98 | 1856 | 2022 |
| 11 | 977 | 987 | 1950 | 2022 |
| 12 | 270 | 232 | 1951 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 29 | 28 | 3 |
| 12 | 12 | 11 | 1 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Black Point, Hayling Island, one, field observation, 21 Jul (TSpe); Bramshaw Hill, NF, present, field observation, 27 Jul (SHol); Blashford Lakes HIWWT NR, three, 29 Jul; two, 02 Aug (PWhtk); Hursley, Winchester, present, field observation, 02 Aug (iNat); Paultons Park, Romsey, present, field observation, 05 Aug (iNat); one, 17 Aug; Allbrook, one, 17 Aug (SIng); Fareham, one, 17 Aug (KJW); Sway, one, 17 Aug (SKee); Brockenhurst, NF, one, field observation, 18 Aug; Hurn, one, 18 Aug (MJef); Portsmouth, one, 19 Aug; Hengistbury Head, one, 22 Aug (BKin); Dibden Purlieu, NF, present, 29 Aug; Chandler's Ford, one, 01 Sep (KArb); one, field observation, 04 Sep (PDB); Wickham, one, 06 Sep (JRDS); Marchwood, one, 07 Sep; Rownhams, one, indoors, 11 Sep (SLam); Swaythling, Southampton, one, 12 Sep (MEdg); one, 13 Sep; one, 16 Sep (RAC); Portchester, one, 16 Sep (CEH, JGS); one, 17 Sep (IRT); one, 20 Sep; one, 23 Sep; Stubbington, one, 23 Sep (DPH); one, 25 Sep (CTha);
VC12: Axmansford, one, field observation, 26 Jul (ACB); Shortheath, Oakhanger, one, indoors, 30 Jul (JDri det. JD-L); Hurstbourne Priors, one, field observation, 03 Aug (Unkn. det. GCE); one, 03 Aug (MHals); Whitchurch, one, 07 Aug (SuBro); Blackwater, one, 09 Aug (BGD)Broad Oak, Odiham, one, field observation, 10 Aug (ABai); Whitehill, one, 31 Aug (ASto); Farnham, present, field observation, 03 Sep (Unkn.); Alton, one, 05 Sep (DBO); Fleet Pond, one, 24 Sep; Littleton, one, 01 Oct (GCE);
72.079 [B&F: 2453] Rosy Underwing Catocala electa (Vieweg, 1790) - Vagrant/Accidental
Rare immigrant from southern Europe, appearing in southern England irregularly in the 20th Century. In the past two decades occurrences have been almost annual and signs that it may be on the verge of local colonisation. In our area, there have been six recorded on the Isle of Wight since 2009. Surprisingly, Hampshire had to wait until 2022 for the first mainland record. Wingspan 65-80 mm. The main confusion species are the very much more common Red Underwing C. nupta, which has the forewing more mottled and fasciae less deeply dentate, hindwing with dark marginal band somewhat narrower and its distal edge more irregular, and Dark Crimson Underwing C. sponsa, which has the forewing darker with reniform stigma large and pale (MBGBI Vol 10). Larva feeds on Grey Willow, Crack Willow, Black Poplar and White Poplar, no evidence of breeding in the UK.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 6 | 6 | 2009 | 2022 |
| 11 | 1 | 1 | 2022 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Lymington, one, 15 Aug (ASH)Sway*, two, 16 Sep (SKee);
72.081 [B&F: 2455] Dark Crimson Underwing Catocala sponsa (Linnaeus, 1767) - Nationally Rare
A vulnerable Red Data Book species, in ancient oak woodland in parts of New Forest, also appearing as a migrant in the south, a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Confined as a breeding species to the New Forest in Hampshire. Formerly there were colonies in south Wiltshire until at least 1949. Occasional specimens reported from elsewhere in southern England, including several from north Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, are believed to be migrating or dispersing individuals. Wingspan 58-78 mm. The most likely confusion species are Red Underwing C. nupta and Light Crimson Underwing C. promissa, which see for differences. Larva feeds on Pedunculate Oak and Sessile Oak, over-wintering as an egg.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 18 | 18 | 1893 | 2022 |
| 11 | 293 | 510 | 1881 | 2022 |
| 12 | 30 | 43 | 1979 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
| 12 | 11 | 30 | 11 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Allbrook, one, 18 Jul (SIng); Waterlooville, one, wine roping, 23 Jul; Lymington, one, 29 Jul (ASH); one, wine roping, 31 Jul; one, wine roping, 03 Aug (DWhe); Pondhead Inclosure, NF, one, field observation, feeding on bramble. , 16 Sep (PMor);
VC12: two, to sugar, 13 Jul; Windmill Hill, Chalton*, one, 17 Jul (CJP); Pamber Forest, one, 18 Jul (GJD); Blackwater Park, two, field observation, on bleeding oak, 21 Jul (BGD)Whitehill*, one, 23 Jul (ASto); Forton, one, 24 Jul; seven, to sugar, 07 Aug; Fleet Pond, 11, 10 Aug; Hurstbourne Priors, one, 11 Aug (GCE); Blackwater, one, 17 Aug; two, to sugar, 23 Aug (MHals);
72.082 [B&F: 2454] Light Crimson Underwing Catocala promissa ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) - Nationally Rare
A once rare but now increasing species, associated with ancient oak woodland in parts of southern England, a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. At the turn of the century it was very much confined to the New Forest and two large woodlands in south Wiltshire, with occasional records from elsewhere in southern England, which may have resulted from internal dispersal or migration from the continent. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight the 21st century has seen increasing scattered records throughout the county, still centred on the New Forest but now appearing well away from the historical locus here, likely to be a result of increased immigration from across the Channel and localised breeding in new locations. Wingspan 50-66 mm. The most likely confusion species are Red Underwing C. nupta and Dark Crimson Underwing C. sponsa, which see for differences. Larva feeds on Pedunculate Oak and Sessile Oak, over-wintering as an egg.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 21 | 21 | 1856 | 2022 |
| 11 | 854 | 1137 | 1800 | 2022 |
| 12 | 60 | 61 | 1800 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 36 | 48 | 4 |
| 12 | 23 | 32 | 5 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Crab Tree Earth, NF, larva, one, field observation, 28 May (SBen det. SKee); Marchwood, one, 21 Jun; one, 28 Jun; one, 01 Jul; Needs Ore NNR, one, 01 Jul; Needs Ore NNR, three, 02 Jul (CNB); one, 02 Jul (PCra); Waterlooville*, one, 09 Jul; three, 12 Jul; two, 16 Jul; two, 16 Jul; one, 18 Jul; one, 18 Jul; Allbrook, one, 18 Jul; Fareham, one, 18 Jul (KJW); Pennington, one, 21 Jul; Hurn, one, 22 Jul (MJef); one, 23 Jul; four, 23 Jul (CNB); three, 23 Jul (PCra); two, 24 Jul; one, 24 Jul (CNB); one, 25 Jul; Romsey, one, 27 Jul (MJB); one, 27 Jul; one, 27 Jul (DWhe); Lee, one, 28 Jul (CTha); one, 28 Jul (F.M.G.); Botley, one, 28 Jul (SLB); one, 28 Jul (RFC); one, 29 Jul; Botley Wood, one, 04 Aug (AMD); one, 15 Aug (NRJ); Sway, one, 19 Aug (SKee); one, 21 Aug (SIng); one, 23 Aug (TDCh);
VC12: Harewood Forest, larva, one, field observation, 07 May (BGD); Blacknest, Binstead*, present, field observation, 09 Jun (MAng); Pamber Heath, two, 07 Jul (WLan); Windmill Hill, Chalton, one, 07 Jul; Fleet Pond, one, 07 Jul; Vyne Lodge Farm, Cufaude*, one, 09 Jul (AWan); five, to sugar, 13 Jul; Hammer Vale, Woolmer*, two, 14 Jul; one, 17 Jul (CJP); Dockenfield*, three, 17 Jul (PHall); Pamber Forest, one, 18 Jul (GJD); one, 18 Jul; one, 20 Jul (ASwa); Whitehill, one, 23 Jul; one, 27 Jul (ASto); one, to sugar, 28 Jul; Rushfield Road, Liss*, one, 29 Jul (KBW); Chilbolton, one, 30 Jul (GCE); two, to sugar, 07 Aug (MHals); Bentley Station Meadow*, two, 08 Aug (NDP, KBW det. KBW); Blackwater, one, 09 Aug; one, 10 Aug; one, 16 Aug (BGD)
72.083 [B&F: 2463] Burnet Companion Euclidia glyphica (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common
Common in grassland, flower meadows, downland, woodland rides, roadside verges and embankments throughout England, Wales and Ireland. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 28-32 mm. Unmistakable. Day-flying. Larva feeds on White and Red Clover, Common Bird's-foot Trefoil, Black Medick, Lucerne and Tufted Vetch, over-wintering as a pupa.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 114 | 107 | 1880 | 2022 |
| 11 | 616 | 1035 | 1950 | 2022 |
| 12 | 1313 | 3663 | 1951 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 49 | 75 | 5 |
| 12 | 80 | 125 | 10 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Summary
VC11: Earliest: Beacon Hill, Exton, 11 May, 1 (TDCh) Latest: Rockford Common, NF, 01 Jul, 3 (RWT) Max count: Deacon Hill, 24 May, 5 (AJB, CRB)
VC12: Earliest: Magdalen Hill Down NNR, 07 May, 1 (CRB) Latest: Winnall Moors HIWWT NR, Winchester, 09 Aug, 1 (BWhit) Max count: Magdalen Hill Down NNR, 03 Jun, 10 (JWale)
72.084 [B&F: 2462] Mother Shipton Callistege mi (Clerck, 1759) - Common
Common in open grassland, heathland, moorland, woodland rides and roadside verges throughout much of England, Wales and southern Scotland. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight this diurnal species is locally fairly common on downland, in rough grassland and waste places where clovers and trefoils or lucerne occur. Wingspan 30-34 mm. Day-flying. Named after old Mother Shipton, a 16th-century Yorkshire witch. Larva feeds on White Clover, Red Clover, Hare's-foot Clover, Black Medick, Lucerne and Common Bird's-foot Trefoil, over-wintering as a pupa.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 157 | 128 | 1951 | 2022 |
| 11 | 609 | 690 | 1951 | 2022 |
| 12 | 602 | 772 | 1951 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 44 | 68 | 12 |
| 12 | 40 | 48 | 2 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Beacon Hill NNR, Warnford, one, field observation, 11 May (BBro); present, field observation, 11 May (iNat); Needs Ore, one, field observation, 13 May (LStr); Curlew's Farm Down, Lockerley, three, field observation, 16 May; Lord's Wood, Rownhams, two, field observation, 18 May (AJB); Old Cemetery, Southampton, one, field observation, 21 May; one, field observation, 21 May (PAB); Crab Tree Wood & West Wood, present, field observation, 21 May (NBur); West Wood, one, field observation, 21 May; one, field observation, 21 May (NBur); Pignal Inclosure, NF, one, field observation, 22 May (PConw); one, field observation, 23 May (AJB); Deacon Hill, one, field observation, 24 May (AJB, CRB); Deacon Hill, one, field observation, 24 May (AJB, CRB); 12, field observation, 25 May (AJB); Standing Hat, NF, two, field observation, 25 May (TDCh); Mansbridge, Southampton, one, field observation, 25 May; St Catherine's Hill NNR, Winchester, one, field observation, 25 May (RBro); Deacon Hill, Winchester, one, field observation, 25 May; Speltham Down, Hambledon, one, field observation, 25 May (PBru); Sandy Down, NF, one, field observation, 25 May (CBoy); Bransgore, 10, field observation, 26 May (SPMC, PRD, JRD); Perrywood Ivy Inclosure, NF, one, field observation, 27 May (JAda); Nursling Substation, three, field observation, 27 May (JClx); one, field observation, 27 May (Unkn.); Bransgore, two, field observation, 28 May; Park Copse, Bentley Wood, one, field observation, 28 May (MWarr); Deacon Hill, Winchester, one, field observation, 28 May (CRB); Old Winchester Hill NNR, present, field observation, 28 May (GgBak); Boldre, NF, one, field observation, 28 May (RBW); Normandy Marsh, Lymington, two, field observation, 28 May (JTho); North Stoneham, one, field observation, 29 May (KFre); one, field observation, 30 May (KBro); one, field observation, 01 Jun (SPMC); one, field observation, 07 Jun (SEG); Broughton Down HIWWT NR, present, field observation, 08 Jun (RAC); Chilcomb Ranges, two, field observation, 09 Jun (AJB); one, field observation, 10 Jun (CRB); one, field observation, 10 Jun (CBoy); Roydon Woods HIWWT NR, NF, one, field observation, 12 Jun (CBoy); present, field observation, 16 Jun (NBur); Claylands NR, Bishops Waltham, one, field observation, 25 Jun (HFir); Yew Hill LNR, Winchester, one, field observation, 06 Jul (JBat); one, field observation, 06 Jul (JBat);
VC12: Magdalen Hill Down NNR, one, field observation, 13 May (AJB); one, field observation, 13 May; Magdalen Hill Down NR, two, field observation, 13 May (AJB); Magdalen Hill Down NR, one, field observation, 13 May (AJB, LB); one, field observation, 17 May (GNic); Crabtree Plantation, Basingstoke, one, field observation, 20 May (NiWil); one, field observation, 20 May; one, field observation, 20 May; Magdalen Hill Down NNR, one, field observation, 21 May (NBur); two, field observation, 25 May; one, field observation, 25 May; Stockbridge Down, two, field observation, 25 May; West Minley, one, field observation, 26 May; Foxlease Meadows, Rushmoor, two, field observation, 26 May (AJB); one, field observation, 26 May (AJB, PBam); Southwood Woodlands, Rushmoor, one, field observation, 26 May (MThmp)Leckford, one, field observation, 27 May (GCE); one, field observation, 27 May (CRB); Odiham Common, two, field observation, 27 May (BGD); one, field observation, 27 May; one, field observation, 27 May; one, field observation, 27 May; one, field observation, 27 May; one, field observation, 27 May (AGre); one, field observation, 27 May (PBam); present, field observation, 28 May (AMit); Beacon Hill, one, field observation, 29 May (DJew); Magdalen Hill Down NNR, one, field observation, 30 May (DSaw, ASaw); Folly Farm, North Waltham, one, field observation, 30 May (ACB); Selborne, two, field observation, 31 May (JOat); Stockbridge Down, one, field observation, 02 Jun; Sandydown Farm, Leckford, one, field observation, 02 Jun; two, field observation, 02 Jun (KaHer); Pamber Forest, one, field observation, 03 Jun; one, field observation, 04 Jun (GJD); one, field observation, 09 Jun; Beacon Hill, Burghclere, one, field observation, 10 Jun (JHas); Bramshott Common, one, field observation, 13 Jun; Magdalen Hill Down NNR, two, field observation, 09 Jul (SMcL); Ashford Hill Meadows NNR, two, field observation, 12 Jul (LoWoo);