2023 Annual Report for: Notodontidae / Cerurinae
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is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species.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.
71.003 [B&F: 1995] Puss Moth Cerura vinula (Linnaeus, 1758) - Common
Common in gardens, hedgerows, open woodland, moorland and scrub, throughout the British Isles, but rare at high altitude. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight, widespread, but seen only in small numbers. Wingspan 62-80mm. Amongst resident species, unmistakable, although the very similar Feline Cerura erminea has been recorded twice on the Channel Islands. Larva feeds on Black Poplar, White Poplar, Aspen and Goat Willow, over-wintering as a pupa.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 188 | 226 | 1849 | 2022 |
| 11 | 615 | 562 | 1951 | 2022 |
| 12 | 218 | 199 | 1951 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 12 | 10 | 1 |
| 12 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Brockwood, one, 12 May (SDut); Fordingbridge, one, 09 Jun; one, 15 Jun (SCT); Hale Purlieu, NF, present, 11 Jun; one, 10 Jun (JPuz); Nursling Substation, larva, one, field observation, 23 Jun (JClx); Romsey, one, 13 May (MJB); Stubbington, one, 07 May (WMay); Fareham, one, 14 Jun (MLO); Wickham, one, 23 Jun (F.M.G.); Sway, NF, present, 07 May (DMui); Pennington, one, 16 Jun (RFC);
VC12: Alton, one, field observation, 29 Apr (RAng); Fleet Pond, larva, two, field observation, on sallow, 24 Jun (MHals); Blackwater, one, 30 May (BGD)
71.005 [B&F: 1997] Sallow Kitten Furcula furcula (Clerck, 1759) - Common
Common in woodland rides and clearings, hedgerows, parks, moorland, heathland and gardens throughout the British Isles. Widespread and common in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Wingspan 35-42 mm. The main confusion species is Poplar Kitten F. bifida, but F. furcula is smaller and outer edge of central cross-band is usually rather irregular and usually only finely outlined in black in the leading half, while in F. bifida the outer margin of the median fascia is black and more evenly curved (MBGBI Vol 9). Larva feeds on Grey, Goat and White Willow, White and Black Poplar, and Aspen, over-wintering as a pupa.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 241 | 281 | 1849 | 2022 |
| 11 | 2210 | 2525 | 1951 | 2022 |
| 12 | 770 | 1151 | 1951 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 40 | 74 | 25 |
| 12 | 15 | 33 | 12 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Fordingbridge, three, 28 Jul; one, 11 Aug (SCT); Ogden's Purlieu, NF, one, 17 Jun (AMD); Hatchet Pond, NF, larva, present, field observation, 09 Sep (AMus); Marchwood, one, 23 Jul; one, 09 Aug; one, 09 Aug; one, 11 Aug; two, 15 Aug; Lee, one, 17 Jun (CTha); Fishlake Meadows, one, 15 Jun; one, 25 Jul (NRJ); Romsey, one, 07 Aug (KPea); Dibden Purlieu, NF, one, 10 Aug; two, 11 Aug; one, 12 Aug; one, 13 Aug; two, 18 Aug; two, 19 Aug; one, 20 Aug (RAC); Peartree Green LNR, Southampton, one, 09 Aug (MGP); Chandler's Ford, one, 07 Aug (KArb); Allbrook, one, 13 Jun; Highbridge, Eastleigh, one, 28 Jul (SIng); Botley Wood, 25, 28 Jul (F.M.G.); Fareham, one, 28 Jul; one, 09 Aug; two, 10 Aug; one, 17 Aug (KJW); Waterlooville, one, 03 Aug (DWhe); Lovedean, one, 04 Aug (ARJa); Horndean, two, 11 Aug (PHog); Stroud, Petersfield, one, 28 Jul; two, 01 Aug (RAll); Hengistbury Head, two, 16 Aug; one, 19 Jul; one, 23 Jul (MJef); Pennington, one, 11 Aug (RFC); Needs Ore NNR, two, 09 Aug (CNB);
VC12: Wherwell, one, 18 Jul; Chilbolton, one, 03 Aug; Newton Stacey, one, 16 Aug; Forton, two, 24 Jul; Hurstbourne Priors, 12, 11 Aug (GCE); Overton, one, 15 Aug (ACr); Basingstoke, one, 10 Aug (MJW); Vyne Lodge Farm, Cufaude, one, 19 Aug (AWan); Rushfield Road, Liss, one, 29 Jul (KBW); Noar Hill HIWWT NR, Selborne, one, 11 Aug (AMD, FHay det. AMD); Whitehill, one, 27 Jul (ASto); Bentley Station Meadow, two, 08 Aug (NDP, KBW det. KBW); Hammer Vale, Woolmer, one, 18 Aug (ASwa); Fleet Pond, six, 10 Aug; one, 10 Jun (MHals)
71.006 [B&F: 1996] Alder Kitten Furcula bicuspis (Borkhausen, 1790) - Local
Local in woodland, thickets, copses and gardens, from Cornwall northwards through Wales and the west Midlands to south Lancashire, and in south-east England, Norfolk and Co. Durham. In Hampshire and Isle of Wight until 1945 there was only one record, at New Milton, the specimen of which was checked by Barry Goater. However 2022 saw the first for North Hampshire, at Woolmer, with a further individual in 2023 also in the Bordon area. Increased reports in Berkshire and Surrey indicate that this is a species that appears to be undertaking a welcome range expansion.
Wingspan 40-48 mm. Compared with Sallow Kitten F. furcula and Poplar Kitten F. bifida, the central band is almost black (not grey), and distinctly pinched at its mid-point. Larva feeds on Alder, Silver Birch and Downy Birch, over-wintering as a pupa.
Update: Status update, July 2020
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 1 | 1 | 1945 | 1945 |
| 12 | 1 | 1 | 2022 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 5 | 6 | 2 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC12: Whitehill*, one, 08 Jun; one, 19 Jun (ASto); Hammer Vale, Woolmer, two, 09 Jun; one, 11 Jun (ASwa); Fleet Pond*, one, 10 Jun (MHals)
71.007 [B&F: 1998] Poplar Kitten Furcula bifida (Brahm, 1787) - Local
Local in woodland, plantations and gardens throughout England. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight widely distributed, but not particularly common. Wingspan 44-48 mm. The main confusion species is Sallow Kitten F. furcula, but F. furcula is smaller and outer edge of central cross-band is usually rather irregular and usually only finely outlined in black in the leading half, while in F. bifida the outer margin of the median fascia is black and more evenly curved (MBGBI Vol 9). Larva feeds on Poplar and Aspen, over-wintering as a pupa.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 49 | 35 | 1849 | 2022 |
| 11 | 394 | 373 | 1951 | 2022 |
| 12 | 132 | 116 | 1951 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 7 | 7 | 1 |
| 12 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Fordingbridge, one, 15 Jun (SCT); Allbrook, one, 10 Aug (SIng); Stubbington, one, 10 Jun (DPH); Botley, one, 01 Aug; one, 04 Aug (SLB); Sway, one, 18 May; one, 07 Aug (SKee);
VC12: Overton, one, 15 Aug (ACr); Basingstoke, one, 14 Jun (MJW); Lord's Wood, Pamber Forest, one, 10 Jun (MBot)