2023 Annual Report for: Gelechiidae / Anacampsinae

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taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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

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 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
101120112011
111059619732022
12374919942022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11221
1251612

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Brownwich cliffs, one, 07 Jul; Brownwich Cliffs, Titchfield, one, 07 Jul (F.M.G.);

VC12: Fleet Pond, one, field observation, 08 Jun; one, netted, 14 Jun; 12, 27 Jun; Alice Holt*, one, field observation, gen det. , 09 Jul (BGD); one, field observation, 13 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 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10203019002022
11452919732022
12141719852022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11221
12111

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Sway*, one, 07 Jul (SKee det. MJW);

VC12: Magdalen Hill Down NNR*, one, 07 Jul (SIng, NRJ, PPea)

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 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10516518502022
1121222419752022
12557619752022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1115151
12661

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Stanbridge Earls, one, to pheromone lure, gen det - to Ni lure. , 02 Jun (JRM det. PHal); one, 28 Jun; Romsey, one, 06 Jul (MJB); one, 11 Jul; Marchwood, one, 18 Jul; Botley, one, 23 Jul (SLB); Stubbington, one, 10 Aug; Brockwood*, one, 19 Aug (SDut); Portchester, one, 23 Aug; one, 27 Aug (DH-J); Wickham, one, 03 Sep (JRDS); one, 06 Sep (DPH); Portsmouth, one, 07 Sep; one, 09 Sep (CTha); one, 15 Sep (IRT);

VC12: Morn Hill, Winchester, one, 28 Jul (CRB, PDF, DAS, LHur); Cholderton, one, 29 Jul; North Waltham, one, 11 Aug (AJon); Whitehill, one, 17 Aug (ASto)Pamber Forest, one, 04 Sep (GJD); Anna Valley, Andover, one, 08 Sep (TJN);

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 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
1016718932022
1117013819702022
12334719762022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
12221

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC12: Anna Valley, Andover, one, 07 Jul (TJN); Fleet Pond, one, 17 Aug (MHals)

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 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
102119952011
11928919762022
126611719762022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11573
127115

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: East Tytherley, one, 11 Jul (GCE); Crab Wood LNR, three, field observation, on birch trunk, 13 Aug (AMD); Hurn, one, 18 Aug (MJef); Botley Wood, one, 08 Sep; one, 08 Sep (F.M.G.);

VC12: Hammer Vale, Woolmer, one, 10 Jul; Barton Stacey, five, 08 Aug (GCE); one, 10 Aug; Fleet Pond, one, 10 Aug; one, 10 Aug; one, 10 Aug (MHals)one, 18 Aug (ASwa);

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 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10175918902016
1114861219722022
1211225319742022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1110164
12116320

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: four, 23 May; Culverley, NF, two, 30 May (CLew); Pig Bush, NF, two, 01 Jun (NRJ); Hurn, two, 11 Jun (MJef); Hengistbury Head, one, 12 Jun; Ogden's Purlieu, NF, present, several, 17 Jun (AMD); Dibden Purlieu, NF, one, 19 Jun (RAC); Sopley Common, present, 28 Jun (RFox); three, 07 Jul; one, 07 Jul (MJef);

VC12: Fleet Pond, two, field observation, 07 May; two, 14 May (MHals); 20, field observation, 05 Jun; Silchester Common, four, 10 Jun (WLan); 20, 10 Jun (MBot); eight, 10 Jun (WLan); Blackwater, three, 11 Jun; one, 12 Jun (BGD)Whitehill, one, 16 Jun (ASto); Basingstoke, one, 20 Jul (RHil);

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 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
107210718932022
119710619712022
12708519762022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
11672
12221

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Needs Ore NNR*, one, 23 Jul (CNB); Romsey*, one, 25 Jul (NRJ); Winter Down Copse, Little Somborne, one, 31 Jul; Allbrook, one, 04 Aug (SIng); Botley Wood, two, 08 Sep (F.M.G.); Crawley, one, 10 Sep (GCE);

VC12: Fleet Pond, one, 17 Aug (MHals)Pamber Forest, one, 04 Sep (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.
Since the separation of the two species, a number of records of A. innoxiella were discovered in southern England, and in our area it is 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 A. lineatella by having a broadly longitudinal black spot followed by white in the middle of the wing (A. 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 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
101120212021
11596920062022
12242520182022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1122242
1217213

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.

Record Details

VC11: Chandler's Ford, one, 09 Jun; Peartree Green LNR, Southampton, one, 11 Jun (MGP); Allbrook, one, 20 Jun; Funtley, one, 21 Jun (TDC); Portsmouth, one, 22 Jun; Waterlooville, one, 22 Jun; one, 23 Jun (KArb); Stubbington, one, 24 Jun (DPH); Sway, one, 24 Jun (SKee); one, 26 Jun (IRT); one, 27 Jun; Dibden Purlieu, NF*, one, 28 Jun (RAC); Lymington, one, 28 Jun (IHrg det. MJW); one, 07 Jul; Brownwich Cliffs, Titchfield, one, 07 Jul (F.M.G.); one, 07 Jul; Romsey, one, 18 Jul (MJB); two, 18 Jul; one, 18 Jul (DWhe); Fareham, one, 19 Jul; one, 27 Jul (SIng); two, 09 Sep (MLO);

VC12: Alton, one, 15 Jun; three, 21 Jun; Nether Wallop*, one, 22 Jun (GCE); two, 23 Jun; Ecchinswell*, one, 24 Jun (MJN); Basingstoke, one, 24 Jun (MJW); North Waltham, one, 27 Jun; two, 27 Jun; Fleet Pond, one, 27 Jun (MHals); Blackwater, one, 27 Jun; one, 07 Jul (AJon); one, 07 Jul (BGD)one, 11 Jul; one, 18 Jul; one, 20 Jul; Magdalen Hill Down NR, one, gen. det., 23 Jul (AMD); one, 27 Jul (DBO);

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 2023

Vice County #Records #Individuals First Record Last Record
10252418992021
1114117019652022
12131519772022

2023 records

Vice County #Records #Individuals Max Quantity
1113121
124168

Records by year

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)


Record Details

VC11: Sway, one, 09 Jun; Needs Ore NNR, one, 10 Jun; one, 13 Jun; one, 16 Jun; Lee, one, 17 Jun (CTha); Marchwood, one, 20 Jun; Hale Purlieu, NF, one, 21 Jun (JPuz); Dibden Purlieu, NF, present, 24 Jun (RAC); one, 28 Jun; one, 01 Jul (CNB); one, 01 Jul (PCra); one, 07 Jul; one, 23 Jul (SKee);

VC12: Fleet Pond, one, 17 Jun (MHals)Silchester Common*, eight, 07 Jul; five, 07 Jul; two, 07 Jul (WLan);