Ennominae
1884 Abraxas grossulariata - Magpie
Status: Up and down here, often notable.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, allotments, hedgerows etc. The larval food plants include Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Hazel, Garden Privet, Black Currant, Gooseberry, Spindle etc.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, on the wing from late June till August.
The annual counts have been:
1999 = 0. 2000 = 0. 2001 = 1. 2002 = 1. 2003 = 4. 2004 = 0. 2005 = 1. 2006 = 1. 2007 = 0. 2008 = 1. 2009 = 2. 2010 = 3. 2011 = 1. 2012 = 0.
2013 = 3. 2014 = 2. 2015 = 1. 2016 = 1. 2017 = 0. 2018 = 1. 2019 = 1. 2020 = 0. 2021 = 0. 2022 = 0. 2023 = 1. 2024 =
Earliest date: 9th June 2014.
Latest date: 5th September 2014.
Peak count: Single moths only.
1887 Lomaspilis marginata - Clouded Border
Status: Annual in very small numbers.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodlands, wetlands etc. The larval food plants are Aspen, Poplar, Sallow and Willow.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, on the wing from late May till July.
The annual counts have been:
1999 = 1. 2000 = 0. 2001 = 1. 2002 = 0. 2003 = 2. 2004 = 3. 2005 = 1. 2006 = 5. 2007 = 3. 2008 = 5. 2009 = 4. 2010 = 5. 2011 = 3. 2012 = 2.
2013 = 8. 2014 = 12. 2015 = 9. 2016 = 2. 2017 = 2. 2018 = 6. 2019 = 10. 2020 = 2. 2021 = 4. 2022 = 12. 2023 = 10. 2024 =
Earliest date: 4th May 2022.
Latest date: 13th August 2006.
Peak count: 4 on 27th June 2023.
1888 Ligdia adustata - Scorched Carpet
Status: Rare.
Habitat/Food plant: Broadleaved woodland, scrub and hedgerows on chalk. The larval food plant is Spindle.
Broods/flight period: Double brooded, on the wing from late April till June then again from late July till September.
Earliest date: 6th May 2022 being the one and only ever first generation sighting then 19th July 2006 the early second generation date.
Latest date: 27th August 2008.
Peak count: 2 moths on 20th July 2006.
1889 Macaria notana - Peacock Moth
Status: Scarce.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, the larvae feed on Birch.
Broods/flight period: Double brooded, flying from May till July then in late July and August.
Earliest date: 5th July 2002.
Latest date: 26th August 1999.
Peak count: Singles only.
1890 Macaria alternata - Sharp-angled Peacock
Status: Taken most years in small numbers.
Habitat/Food plant: Open woodland, scrub and well vegetated coastal sand dunes. The larval food plants are Sallow, Willow, Blackthorn, Sea Buckthorn and Alder.
Broods/flight period: Double brooded, flying from May till July then again in August.
The annual counts have been:
1999 = 0. 2000 = 0. 2001 = 1. 2002 = 5. 2003 = 3. 2004 = 0. 2005 = 3. 2006 = 3. 2007 = 1. 2008 = 3. 2009 = 5. 2010 = 4. 2011 = 0. 2012 = 6.
2013 = 8. 2014 = 6. 2015 = 3. 2016 = 3. 2017 = 1. 2018 = 3. 2019 = 3. 2020 = 11. 2021 = 2. 2022 = 12. 2023 = 10. 2024 =
Earliest date: 12th May 2015.
Latest date: 10th September 2007.
Peak count: 3 on 24th August 2023.
1893 Macaria liurata - Tawny-barred Angle
Status: Scarce.
Habitat/Food plant: Mainly conifer plantations where the larvae feed on various conifers.
Broods/flight period: Double brooded, flying from mid May till July then in August and September.
Earliest date: 23rd May 2005.
Latest date: 27th August 2018.
Peak count: Singles only.
1894 Chiasma clathrata clathrata - Latticed Heath
Status: Annual in small numbers but can arrive in larger numbers [as migrants/dispersals?] on occasion.
Habitat/Food plant: Open ground. The larval food plants are Clovers, Lucerne and Trefoils.
Broods/flight period: Double brooded, flying in May and June then from July till September.
2023 = 10. 2024 =
Earliest date: 28th April 2017.
Latest date: 18th September 2008.
Peak count: Usually in one's and two's here, occasionally 5 - 10, so of note were 23 moths on 19th August 2003, 49 moths on 25th August 2004, 117 moths on 30th August 2004 and 75 moths on 31st August 2004.
1896 Itame brunneata - Rannoch Looper
Status: Scarce migrant, once 'very' rare.
Habitat/Food plant: Older Pine and Birch woodland with bilberry (the food plant) as ground cover.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in June and July.
1999 - 2023 garden records: A very rare moth occurring in three glut years, often countrywide, in 2009, 2010 and 2011 during freak periods of easterly winds in late spring/early summer. The dates here were:
2009: 1 on 29th May, 2 on 30th May, then singles on 10th June and 26th June.
2010: 2 on 17th June and 1 on 24th June.
2011: 4 on 3rd June, 1 on 5th June and 4 on 6th June.
Earliest date: 28th April 2017.
Latest date: 18th September 2008.
Peak count: Usually in one's and two's here, occasionally 5 - 10, so of note were 23 moths on 19th August 2003, 49 moths on 25th August 2004, 117 moths on 30th August 2004 and 75 moths on 31st August 2004.
1896 Itame brunneata - Rannoch Looper
Status: Scarce migrant, once 'very' rare.
Habitat/Food plant: Older Pine and Birch woodland with bilberry (the food plant) as ground cover.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in June and July.
2009: 1 on 29th May, 2 on 30th May, then singles on 10th June and 26th June.
2010: 2 on 17th June and 1 on 24th June.
2011: 4 on 3rd June, 1 on 5th June and 4 on 6th June.
2023: 1 on 14th June.
Earliest date: 29th May 2009.
Latest date: 26th June 2009.
Peak count: 4 moths, on two occasions in 2011.
1902 Petrophora chlorosata - Brown Silver-line
Status: Notable.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, heathland etc. The larval food plant is Bracken.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from May till July.
1999 - 2023 garden records: Eights records here, seen in 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2013 then a ten year gap until the last one on 18th June 2023.
Earliest date: 8th May 2011.
Latest date: 30th June 2010.
Peak count: Singles only.
1904 Plagodis dolabraria - Scorched Wing
Status: Rare.
Habitat/Food plant: Broadleaved woodland and scrub.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in May and June.
1999 - 2023 garden records: I did catch one in the early/mid 2000's?? but didn't write down the date, even failing to record the moth in my annual garden report.
Earliest date: n/a.
Latest date: n/a.
Peak count: n/a.
1906 Opisthograptis luteolata - Brimstone Moth
Status: Common.
Habitat/Food plant: Hedgerows, woodland, gardens etc. The larval food plants include Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Plum etc.
Broods/flight period: Two or three generations, flying from April till October.
1999 - 2023 garden records:
Earliest date: 10th April 2014.
Latest date: 2nd October 2013.
Peak count: 38 on 10th August 2023.
1907 Epione repandaria - Bordered Beauty
Status: Rare.
Habitat/Food plant: mainly damp woodland and scrub. The larval food plants are Sallow, Black Poplar, Alder and Hazel.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from July till September.
1999 - 2023 garden records: Five records here, on 15th July 2004, 1st July 2008, 17th August 2012, 10th September 2018 and 14th September 2018.
Earliest date: 1st July 2008.
Latest date: 14th September 2018,
Peak count: n/a.
1910 Apeira syringaria - Lilac Beauty
Status: Notable.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland and scrub, the larval food plants are Honeysuckle, Ash and Wild Privet.
Broods/flight period: Mostly single brooded, flying in June and July.
1999 - 2023 garden records: Ten records here.
The annual counts have been:
1999 = 1. 2000 = 0. 2001 = 1. 2002 = 1. 2003 = 0. 2004 = 0. 2005 = 0. 2006 = 1. 2007 = 0. 2008 = 2. 2009 = 0. 2010 = 0. 2011 = 0. 2012 = 1.
2013 = 1. 2014 = 1. 2015 = 1. 2016 = 0. 2017 = 0. 2018 = 0. 2019 = 0. 2020 = 0. 2021 = 0. 2022 = 1. 2023 = 0, 2024 =
Earliest date: 19th June 2008.
Latest date: 25th July 2013.
Peak count: Singles only.
1911 Ennomos autumnaria - Large Thorn
Status: Annual in small numbers.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland and scrub, the larval food plants are wide ranging including Birch, Alder, Hazel, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Plum, Cherry, Apple, Oak, Sycamore etc.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in August and September.
1999 - 2023 garden records: A fairly stable population has existed throughout, increasing slightly in numbers from the middle 2000's. A rather extraordinary amount were seen in the late summer/autumn of 2021 when I caught 36 moths which included 6 on September 7th, also 5 on 3 dates and another night when 4 showed up too.
Earliest date: 14th August 2017.
Latest date: 24th September 2006.
Peak count: 5 moths, one night in 2012 and on 3 occasions in August of 2021. Also 6 on 7th September 2021 then 8 on 5th September 2023.
1912 Ennomos quercinaria - August Thorn
.JPG)
Earliest date: 29th May 2009.
Latest date: 26th June 2009.
Peak count: 4 moths, on two occasions in 2011.
1902 Petrophora chlorosata - Brown Silver-line
Status: Notable.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, heathland etc. The larval food plant is Bracken.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from May till July.
Earliest date: 8th May 2011.
Latest date: 30th June 2010.
Peak count: Singles only.
1904 Plagodis dolabraria - Scorched Wing
Status: Rare.
Habitat/Food plant: Broadleaved woodland and scrub.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in May and June.
Earliest date: n/a.
Latest date: n/a.
Peak count: n/a.
1906 Opisthograptis luteolata - Brimstone Moth
Status: Common.
Habitat/Food plant: Hedgerows, woodland, gardens etc. The larval food plants include Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Plum etc.
Broods/flight period: Two or three generations, flying from April till October.
Earliest date: 10th April 2014.
Latest date: 2nd October 2013.
Peak count: 38 on 10th August 2023.
1907 Epione repandaria - Bordered Beauty
Status: Rare.
Habitat/Food plant: mainly damp woodland and scrub. The larval food plants are Sallow, Black Poplar, Alder and Hazel.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from July till September.
Earliest date: 1st July 2008.
Latest date: 14th September 2018,
Peak count: n/a.
1910 Apeira syringaria - Lilac Beauty
Status: Notable.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland and scrub, the larval food plants are Honeysuckle, Ash and Wild Privet.
Broods/flight period: Mostly single brooded, flying in June and July.
The annual counts have been:
1999 = 1. 2000 = 0. 2001 = 1. 2002 = 1. 2003 = 0. 2004 = 0. 2005 = 0. 2006 = 1. 2007 = 0. 2008 = 2. 2009 = 0. 2010 = 0. 2011 = 0. 2012 = 1.
2013 = 1. 2014 = 1. 2015 = 1. 2016 = 0. 2017 = 0. 2018 = 0. 2019 = 0. 2020 = 0. 2021 = 0. 2022 = 1. 2023 = 0, 2024 =
Earliest date: 19th June 2008.
Latest date: 25th July 2013.
Peak count: Singles only.
1911 Ennomos autumnaria - Large Thorn
Status: Annual in small numbers.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland and scrub, the larval food plants are wide ranging including Birch, Alder, Hazel, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Plum, Cherry, Apple, Oak, Sycamore etc.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in August and September.
Earliest date: 14th August 2017.
Latest date: 24th September 2006.
Peak count: 5 moths, one night in 2012 and on 3 occasions in August of 2021. Also 6 on 7th September 2021 then 8 on 5th September 2023.
1912 Ennomos quercinaria - August Thorn
.JPG)
Status: Rare.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, Parkland etc. The larval food plants are mainly Oaks, Limes and Elm.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in August and September.
1999 - 2023 garden records: Singles on 19th August 2003, 13th July 2009 and 13th August 2023.
Earliest date: n/a.
Latest date: n/a.
Peak count: n/a.
1913 Ennomos alniaria - Canary-shouldered Thorn
Status: Notable.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, scrub, parkland etc. The larval food plants are Birch, Alder, Lime and Elm.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from July until October.
1999 - 2023 garden records:
The annual counts have been:
1999 = 0. 2000 = 0. 2001 = 1. 2002 = 0. 2003 = 0. 2004 = 0. 2005 = 0. 2006 = 0. 2007 = 0. 2008 = 1. 2009 = 1. 2010 = 0. 2011 = 1. 2012 = 1.
2013 = 0. 2014 = 0. 2015 = 1. 2016 = 0. 2017 = 2. 2018 = 0. 2019 = 1. 2020 = 4. 2021 = 8. 2022 = 3. 2023 = 5. 2024 =
Earliest date: 24th July 2017.
Latest date: 23rd September 2001. Also a very late second generation or perhaps migrant (the insect was seen during a long spell of mass migration) on 27th October 2022.
Peak count: Singles only.
1914 Ennomos fuscantaria - Dusky Thorn
Status: Rare.
Habitat/Food plant:Woodland and hedgerows where Ash, the main larval food plant occurs.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from July till October.
1999 - 2023 garden records: Only six records here until 2022, seen on 25th September 1999, 18th August 2009, 26th September 2011, 2nd August 2018, 16th August 2020 and 13th September 2020. The autumn period of 2021 was a mad time for Dusky Thorns and I took a further 8 on 5 dates including 3 one night alone.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, Parkland etc. The larval food plants are mainly Oaks, Limes and Elm.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in August and September.
Earliest date: n/a.
Latest date: n/a.
Peak count: n/a.
1913 Ennomos alniaria - Canary-shouldered Thorn
Status: Notable.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, scrub, parkland etc. The larval food plants are Birch, Alder, Lime and Elm.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from July until October.
The annual counts have been:
1999 = 0. 2000 = 0. 2001 = 1. 2002 = 0. 2003 = 0. 2004 = 0. 2005 = 0. 2006 = 0. 2007 = 0. 2008 = 1. 2009 = 1. 2010 = 0. 2011 = 1. 2012 = 1.
2013 = 0. 2014 = 0. 2015 = 1. 2016 = 0. 2017 = 2. 2018 = 0. 2019 = 1. 2020 = 4. 2021 = 8. 2022 = 3. 2023 = 5. 2024 =
Earliest date: 24th July 2017.
Latest date: 23rd September 2001. Also a very late second generation or perhaps migrant (the insect was seen during a long spell of mass migration) on 27th October 2022.
Peak count: Singles only.
1914 Ennomos fuscantaria - Dusky Thorn
Status: Rare.
Habitat/Food plant:Woodland and hedgerows where Ash, the main larval food plant occurs.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from July till October.
2021 = 8. 2022 = 1. 2023 = 10+ 2024 =
Earliest date: 2nd August 2018.
Latest date: 26th September 2011.
Peak count: 3 on 19th September 2021, the only multiple sighting.
1917 Selenia debtaria - Early Thorn
Status: Annual in small numbers.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, scrub, hedgerows etc. The larval food plants are Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Birch, Alder, Sallow, Honeysuckle etc.
Broods/flight period: Double brooded, flying from March till May then again from July till September.
1999 - 2023 garden records:
Earliest date: 17th March 2014.
Latest date: 17th August 2013.
Peak count: 3 moths, in 2009 and 2012.
1921 Crocalis elinguaria - Scalloped Oak
Status: Common.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, parkland, scrub, garden etc. The larval food plants are wide ranging including Birch, Hawthorn, Oak, Honeysuckle etc.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in July and August.
1999 - 2023 garden records:
Earliest date: 8th June 2014.
Latest date: 27th September 2002.
Peak count: 29 moths, in 2011.
1922 Ourapteryx sambucaria - Swallow-tailed Moth
Status: Common.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, scrub, hedgerows etc. The food plants are varied, including Hawthorn, Willow, Black Currant etc.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in July and August.
1999 - 2023 garden records:
Earliest date: 8th June 2014.
Latest date: 19th August 2010. I also caught a rogue second generation moth on 30th September 2014.
Peak count: 17 moths, one night in 2005.
1923 Colotois pennaria - Feathered Thorn
Status: Annual in small numbers.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, Parks and gardens etc. The larval food plants are varied including Oak, Hawthorn, Crab Apple, Dog Rose, Hazel, Silver Birch, Goat Willow, Black Poplar etc.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from September till November.
1999 - 2023 garden records:
The annual counts have been:
1999 = 2. 2000 = 0. 2001 = 0. 2002 = 2. 2003 = 7. 2004 = 4. 2005 = 5. 2006 = 2. 2007 = 1. 2008 = 7. 2009 = 12. 2010 = 1. 2011 = 11. 2012 = 3.
2013 = 5. 2014 = 5. 2015 = 12. 2016 = 8. 2018 = 3. 2019 = 0. 2020 = 4. 2021 = 5. 2022 = 3. 2023 = 1. 2024 =
Earliest date: 7th October 2006.
Latest date: 11th December 2021.
Peak count: 3 moths, one night in 2011.
1926 Phigalia pilosaria - Pale Brindled Beauty
Status: Notable, once rare but has since increased here.
Habitat/Food plant: Broadleaved woodland, the larval food plants varied including, Oak, Hawthorn, Apple, Birch, Alder, Hazel, Poplar, Lime, Elm, Ash etc.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from January till March.
1999 - 2023 garden records: None till 2007, then a small run of them from then till 2011 for whatever reason?
The annual counts have been:
1999 = 0. 2000 = 0. 2001 = 0. 2002 = 0. 2003 = 0. 2004 = 0. 2005 = 0. 2006 = 0. 2007 = 1. 2008 = 1. 2009 = 1. 2010 = 1. 2011 = 4. 2012 = 0.
2013 = 0. 2014 = 1. 2015 = 4. 2016 = 0. 2017 = 0. 2018 = 0. 2019 = 2. 2020 = 0. 2021 = 0. 2022 = 0. 2023 = 4. 2024 = 2. 2025 =
Earliest date: 25th December 2007.
Latest date: 12th March 2009.
Peak count: 2 moths, one night in 2011.
1930 Biston strataria - Oak Beauty
Status: Rare.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland where the larvae feed on Oak, Hazel, Aspen, Alder, Sallow etc.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying mostly in February and March.
1999 - 2023 garden records: Singles on 14th March 2009, 6th March 2014, 1st April 2018, 18th March 2019, 25th March 2021, 9th March 2022, 23rd March 2022 and 9th March 2023.
Earliest date: 6th March 2014.
Latest date: 1st April 2018.
Peak count: singles only.
1931 Biston betularia - Peppered Moth
Status: Common.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, scrub. hedgerows etc. The larval food plants are wide ranging including Hawthorn, Birch, Lime, Sallow, Poplar, Oak, Sweet Chestnut, Beech, Rose, Bramble, Mugwort etc.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from May till August.
1999 - 2023 garden records:
Earliest date: 1st May 2017.
Latest date: 14th August 2013.
Peak count: 11 moths, one night in 2018.
1932 Agriopis leucophaeria - Spring Usher
Status: Rare.
Habitat/Food plant: Oak woodland, the larval food plants are Sessile and Pedunculate Oaks.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from January till March.
1999 - 2023 garden records: One on 27th January 2008.
Earliest date: n/a.
Latest date: n/a.
Peak count: n/a.
1933 Agriopis aurantiaria - Scarce Umber
Status: Rare.
Habitat/Food plant: Mature woodland. The larval food plants are various broadleaved trees including Birch, Hazel, Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Pedunculate Oak, Dog Rose, English Elm, Lime, Sallow and Hornbeam.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from October till December.
1999 - 2023 garden records: Singles on 15th November 2003, 12th November 2008, 5th December 2018, 23rd October 2020, 13th November 2020, 18th November 2020 and 31st October 2021.
Earliest date: 23rd October 2020.
Latest date: 5th December 2018.
Peak count: singles only.
1934 Agriopis marginaria - Dotted Border
Status: Notable.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, scrub, Hedgerows etc. The larval food plants include Oak, Hawthorn, Birch, Hazel, Goat and Grey Willow, Field Maple, Sycamore, Apple and Plum.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from February till April.
1999 - 2023 garden records:
The annual counts have been:
1999 = 0. 2000 = 3. 2001 = 0. 2002 = 0. 2003 = 0. 2004 = 0. 2005 = 2. 2006 = 0. 2007 = 1. 2008 = 0. 2009 = 1. 2010 = 2. 2011 = 1. 2012 = 0.
2013 = 0. 2014 = 1. 2015 = 1. 2016 = 1. 2017 = 1. 2018 = 3. 2019 = 0. 2020 = 0. 2021 = 1. 2022 = 0. 2023 = 0. 2024 =
Earliest date: 4th March 2015.
Latest date: 13th April 2018.
Peak count: 2 moths on 24th March 2005 and 13th April 2018.
1935 Erannis defoliaria - Mottled Umber
Status: Notable.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland mostly but also Scrub and Hedgerows. The larval food plants are varied including Oak, Birch, Hawthorn, Field Maple, Sycamore, Apple, Dog-rose etc.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from October till January.
1999 - 2022 garden records:
The annual counts have been:
1999 = 0. 2000 = 0. 2001 = 0. 2002 = 0. 2003 = 0. 2004 = 4. 2005 = 0. 2006 = 2. 2007 = 1. 2008 = 6. 2009 = 1. 2010 = 2. 2011 = 2. 2012 = 3.
2013 = 3. 2014 = 4. 2015 = 3. 2016 = 2. 2017 = 0. 2018 = 2. 2019 = 0. 2020 = 2. 2021 = 2. 2022 = 1. 2023 = 2. 2024 =
Earliest date: 26th September 2010.
Latest date: 24th January 2012.
Peak count: 2 moths, one night in 2008 and again in 2014.
1936 Menophra abruptaria - Waved Umber
Status: Reasonably common.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, Scrub, hedgerows, parkland etc. The larval food plants include Garden Privet, Lilac and Winter Jasmine.
Broods/flight period: Mainly single brooded, flying from April till June, occasionally again in August during hot summers.
1999 - 2023 garden records:
Earliest date: 12th April 2024.
Latest date: 22nd July 2013.
Peak count: 11 moths, one night in 2006.
1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria - Willow Beauty
Status: Common.
Habitat/Food plant: Anywhere, feeding on many broadleaved trees and shrubs as well as conifer.
Broods/flight period: Double brooded, flying from June till August then again from late August till October.
1999 - 2023 garden records: Double figure counts are regular during the second, autumnal generation.
Earliest date: 15th May 2017.
Latest date: 4th November 2008.
Peak count: 24 moths, in 2006 and 2011.
1941 Alcis repandata - Mottled Beauty
Status: Annual, though always seen in very small numbers.
Habitat/Food plant: Occurring pretty much anywhere, feeding on many broadleaved trees and shrubs as well as conifer.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from June till August.
1999 - 2023 garden records: Never numerous here.
Earliest date: 17th May 2007.
Latest date: 26th July 2005.
Peak count: 5 moths, one night in 2010.
1944 Hypomecis punctalis - Pale Oak Beauty
Status: Scarce.
Habitat/Food plant: Broadleaved woodland, the larval food plants include Oak, Birch, Hazel, Hawthorn, Crab Apple and Sallow.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from late May till July.
1999 - 2023 garden records: Nine records here, all during June bar the moths taken in July of 2012 and 2013.
The annual counts have been:
1999 = 0. 2000 = 1. 2001 = 1. 2002 = 0. 2003 = 2. 2004 = 0. 2005 = 1. 2006 = 1. 2007 = 0. 2008 = 0. 2009 = 0. 2010 = 0. 2011 = 0. 2012 = 2.
2013 = 1. 2014 = 0. 2015 = 3. 2016 = 1. 2017 = 2. 2018 = 1. 2019 = 2. 2020 = 4. 2021 = 2. 2022 = 3. 2023 = 3. 2024 =
Earliest date: 22nd May 2022.
Latest date: 12th July 2013.
Peak count: Singles only.
1947 Ectropis bisortata - Engrailed
Status: Notable.
Habitat/Food plant: Mainly woodland but also parkland, scrub, hedgerows etc. The larval food pants include Oak, Birch, Hazel, Hawthorn, Sallow, Broom, Spindle, Wild Privet, Hornbeam etc.
Broods/flight period: Two to three generations, occurring any-time between March and September/October.
1999 - 2023 garden records:
The annual counts have been:
1999 = 0. 2000 = 0. 2001 = 0. 2002 = 1. 2003 = 2. 2004 = 0. 2005 = 0. 2006 = 0. 2007 = 1. 2008 = 2. 2009 = 0. 2010 = 1. 2011 = 1. 2012 = 2.
2013 = 1. 2014 = 1. 2015 = 1. 2016 = 0. 2017 = 1. 2018 = 2. 2019 = 0. 2020 = 2. 2021 = 1. 2022 = 1. 2023 = 0. 2024 =
Earliest date: 25th February 2014.
Latest date: 26th August 2018. [check, I am near certain that I have taken them in September]
Peak count: Singles only.
Earliest date: 2nd August 2018.
Latest date: 26th September 2011.
Peak count: 3 on 19th September 2021, the only multiple sighting.
1917 Selenia debtaria - Early Thorn
Status: Annual in small numbers.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, scrub, hedgerows etc. The larval food plants are Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Birch, Alder, Sallow, Honeysuckle etc.
Broods/flight period: Double brooded, flying from March till May then again from July till September.
Earliest date: 17th March 2014.
Latest date: 17th August 2013.
Peak count: 3 moths, in 2009 and 2012.
1921 Crocalis elinguaria - Scalloped Oak
Status: Common.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, parkland, scrub, garden etc. The larval food plants are wide ranging including Birch, Hawthorn, Oak, Honeysuckle etc.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in July and August.
Earliest date: 8th June 2014.
Latest date: 27th September 2002.
Peak count: 29 moths, in 2011.
1922 Ourapteryx sambucaria - Swallow-tailed Moth
The usual type
A very odd coloured thing, I've seen this type twice here over the years.
Status: Common.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, scrub, hedgerows etc. The food plants are varied, including Hawthorn, Willow, Black Currant etc.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in July and August.
Earliest date: 8th June 2014.
Latest date: 19th August 2010. I also caught a rogue second generation moth on 30th September 2014.
Peak count: 17 moths, one night in 2005.
1923 Colotois pennaria - Feathered Thorn
Status: Annual in small numbers.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, Parks and gardens etc. The larval food plants are varied including Oak, Hawthorn, Crab Apple, Dog Rose, Hazel, Silver Birch, Goat Willow, Black Poplar etc.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from September till November.
The annual counts have been:
1999 = 2. 2000 = 0. 2001 = 0. 2002 = 2. 2003 = 7. 2004 = 4. 2005 = 5. 2006 = 2. 2007 = 1. 2008 = 7. 2009 = 12. 2010 = 1. 2011 = 11. 2012 = 3.
2013 = 5. 2014 = 5. 2015 = 12. 2016 = 8. 2018 = 3. 2019 = 0. 2020 = 4. 2021 = 5. 2022 = 3. 2023 = 1. 2024 =
Earliest date: 7th October 2006.
Latest date: 11th December 2021.
Peak count: 3 moths, one night in 2011.
1926 Phigalia pilosaria - Pale Brindled Beauty
Status: Notable, once rare but has since increased here.
Habitat/Food plant: Broadleaved woodland, the larval food plants varied including, Oak, Hawthorn, Apple, Birch, Alder, Hazel, Poplar, Lime, Elm, Ash etc.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from January till March.
The annual counts have been:
1999 = 0. 2000 = 0. 2001 = 0. 2002 = 0. 2003 = 0. 2004 = 0. 2005 = 0. 2006 = 0. 2007 = 1. 2008 = 1. 2009 = 1. 2010 = 1. 2011 = 4. 2012 = 0.
2013 = 0. 2014 = 1. 2015 = 4. 2016 = 0. 2017 = 0. 2018 = 0. 2019 = 2. 2020 = 0. 2021 = 0. 2022 = 0. 2023 = 4. 2024 = 2. 2025 =
Earliest date: 25th December 2007.
Latest date: 12th March 2009.
Peak count: 2 moths, one night in 2011.
1930 Biston strataria - Oak Beauty
Status: Rare.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland where the larvae feed on Oak, Hazel, Aspen, Alder, Sallow etc.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying mostly in February and March.
Earliest date: 6th March 2014.
Latest date: 1st April 2018.
Peak count: singles only.
1931 Biston betularia - Peppered Moth
The most common, pale type
A darker, intermediate type
The scarcer full on black type.
Status: Common.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, scrub. hedgerows etc. The larval food plants are wide ranging including Hawthorn, Birch, Lime, Sallow, Poplar, Oak, Sweet Chestnut, Beech, Rose, Bramble, Mugwort etc.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from May till August.
Earliest date: 1st May 2017.
Latest date: 14th August 2013.
Peak count: 11 moths, one night in 2018.
1932 Agriopis leucophaeria - Spring Usher
Status: Rare.
Habitat/Food plant: Oak woodland, the larval food plants are Sessile and Pedunculate Oaks.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from January till March.
Earliest date: n/a.
Latest date: n/a.
Peak count: n/a.
1933 Agriopis aurantiaria - Scarce Umber
Status: Rare.
Habitat/Food plant: Mature woodland. The larval food plants are various broadleaved trees including Birch, Hazel, Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Pedunculate Oak, Dog Rose, English Elm, Lime, Sallow and Hornbeam.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from October till December.
Earliest date: 23rd October 2020.
Latest date: 5th December 2018.
Peak count: singles only.
1934 Agriopis marginaria - Dotted Border
Status: Notable.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, scrub, Hedgerows etc. The larval food plants include Oak, Hawthorn, Birch, Hazel, Goat and Grey Willow, Field Maple, Sycamore, Apple and Plum.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from February till April.
The annual counts have been:
1999 = 0. 2000 = 3. 2001 = 0. 2002 = 0. 2003 = 0. 2004 = 0. 2005 = 2. 2006 = 0. 2007 = 1. 2008 = 0. 2009 = 1. 2010 = 2. 2011 = 1. 2012 = 0.
2013 = 0. 2014 = 1. 2015 = 1. 2016 = 1. 2017 = 1. 2018 = 3. 2019 = 0. 2020 = 0. 2021 = 1. 2022 = 0. 2023 = 0. 2024 =
Earliest date: 4th March 2015.
Latest date: 13th April 2018.
Peak count: 2 moths on 24th March 2005 and 13th April 2018.
1935 Erannis defoliaria - Mottled Umber
Two of many variations in both patterning and ground colour.
Status: Notable.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland mostly but also Scrub and Hedgerows. The larval food plants are varied including Oak, Birch, Hawthorn, Field Maple, Sycamore, Apple, Dog-rose etc.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from October till January.
The annual counts have been:
1999 = 0. 2000 = 0. 2001 = 0. 2002 = 0. 2003 = 0. 2004 = 4. 2005 = 0. 2006 = 2. 2007 = 1. 2008 = 6. 2009 = 1. 2010 = 2. 2011 = 2. 2012 = 3.
2013 = 3. 2014 = 4. 2015 = 3. 2016 = 2. 2017 = 0. 2018 = 2. 2019 = 0. 2020 = 2. 2021 = 2. 2022 = 1. 2023 = 2. 2024 =
Earliest date: 26th September 2010.
Latest date: 24th January 2012.
Peak count: 2 moths, one night in 2008 and again in 2014.
1936 Menophra abruptaria - Waved Umber
Above: the usual type.
... and the rare dark form (f.fuscata) seen in June of 2022.
Status: Reasonably common.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, Scrub, hedgerows, parkland etc. The larval food plants include Garden Privet, Lilac and Winter Jasmine.
Broods/flight period: Mainly single brooded, flying from April till June, occasionally again in August during hot summers.
Earliest date: 12th April 2024.
Latest date: 22nd July 2013.
Peak count: 11 moths, one night in 2006.
1937 Peribatodes rhomboidaria - Willow Beauty
Status: Common.
Habitat/Food plant: Anywhere, feeding on many broadleaved trees and shrubs as well as conifer.
Broods/flight period: Double brooded, flying from June till August then again from late August till October.
Earliest date: 15th May 2017.
Latest date: 4th November 2008.
Peak count: 24 moths, in 2006 and 2011.
1941 Alcis repandata - Mottled Beauty
Status: Annual, though always seen in very small numbers.
Habitat/Food plant: Occurring pretty much anywhere, feeding on many broadleaved trees and shrubs as well as conifer.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from June till August.
Earliest date: 17th May 2007.
Latest date: 26th July 2005.
Peak count: 5 moths, one night in 2010.
1944 Hypomecis punctalis - Pale Oak Beauty
Status: Scarce.
Habitat/Food plant: Broadleaved woodland, the larval food plants include Oak, Birch, Hazel, Hawthorn, Crab Apple and Sallow.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from late May till July.
The annual counts have been:
1999 = 0. 2000 = 1. 2001 = 1. 2002 = 0. 2003 = 2. 2004 = 0. 2005 = 1. 2006 = 1. 2007 = 0. 2008 = 0. 2009 = 0. 2010 = 0. 2011 = 0. 2012 = 2.
2013 = 1. 2014 = 0. 2015 = 3. 2016 = 1. 2017 = 2. 2018 = 1. 2019 = 2. 2020 = 4. 2021 = 2. 2022 = 3. 2023 = 3. 2024 =
Earliest date: 22nd May 2022.
Latest date: 12th July 2013.
Peak count: Singles only.
1947 Ectropis bisortata - Engrailed
Status: Notable.
Habitat/Food plant: Mainly woodland but also parkland, scrub, hedgerows etc. The larval food pants include Oak, Birch, Hazel, Hawthorn, Sallow, Broom, Spindle, Wild Privet, Hornbeam etc.
Broods/flight period: Two to three generations, occurring any-time between March and September/October.
The annual counts have been:
1999 = 0. 2000 = 0. 2001 = 0. 2002 = 1. 2003 = 2. 2004 = 0. 2005 = 0. 2006 = 0. 2007 = 1. 2008 = 2. 2009 = 0. 2010 = 1. 2011 = 1. 2012 = 2.
2013 = 1. 2014 = 1. 2015 = 1. 2016 = 0. 2017 = 1. 2018 = 2. 2019 = 0. 2020 = 2. 2021 = 1. 2022 = 1. 2023 = 0. 2024 =
Earliest date: 25th February 2014.
Latest date: 26th August 2018. [check, I am near certain that I have taken them in September]
Peak count: Singles only.
1950 Parectropis similaria - Brindled White-spot
Status: Rare.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland where Oak and Birch, the larval foodplants grow.
Broods/flight period: One generation, on the wing in May and June.
1999 - 2023 garden records:
One seen on 16th June 2022.
Earliest date: n/a.
Latest date: n/a.
Peak count: n/a.
1954 Bupalus piniaria - Bordered White
Status: Rare.
Habitat/Food plant: Pine woodland, the larval food plants is mainly mature Scots Pine.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in May and June.
1999 - 2023 garden records: Singles on 1st July 2001, 19th June 2003 and 20th June 2016.
Earliest date: n/a.
Latest date: n/a.
Peak count: n/a.
1955 Cabera pusaria - Common White Wave
Status: Notable but perhaps on the increase?
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland and scrub on calcareous and acid soil. The larval food plants are Sallow, Silver Birch and Alder.
Broods/flight period: Double brooded, flying in May and June then July and August.
1999 - 2023 garden records:
The annual counts have been:
1999 = 0. 2000 = 0. 2001 =0 . 2002 = 1. 2003 = 0. 2004 = 1. 2005 = 0. 2006 = 2. 2007 = 4. 2008 = 3. 2009 = 2.
2010 = 4. 2011 = 2. 2012 = 1. 2013 = 3. 2014 = 5. 2015 = 0. 2016 = 3. 2017 = 3. 2018 = 1. 2019 = 2. 2020 = 1. 2021 = 0. 2022 = 0. 2023 = 1. 2024 =
Earliest date: 19th May 2007.
Latest date: 2nd September 2007.
Peak count: 2 on 15th August 2017.
1956 Cabera exanthemata - Common Wave
Status: Scarce.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland and wet sites. The larval food plants are Goat and Grey Willows, Sallows, Aspen etc.
Broods/flight period: Double brooded, flying from May till early June then Mid June till July.
1999 - 2023 garden records: Singles on 16th July 2005, 13th August 2006, 28th June 2007, 27th June 2011 and 24th May 2014.
2016 proved a bumper year for Common Waves and I took 5 moths on four dates between July 22nd and August 2nd of that year.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland where Oak and Birch, the larval foodplants grow.
Broods/flight period: One generation, on the wing in May and June.
One seen on 16th June 2022.
Earliest date: n/a.
Latest date: n/a.
Peak count: n/a.
1954 Bupalus piniaria - Bordered White
Status: Rare.
Habitat/Food plant: Pine woodland, the larval food plants is mainly mature Scots Pine.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in May and June.
Earliest date: n/a.
Latest date: n/a.
Peak count: n/a.
1955 Cabera pusaria - Common White Wave
Status: Notable but perhaps on the increase?
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland and scrub on calcareous and acid soil. The larval food plants are Sallow, Silver Birch and Alder.
Broods/flight period: Double brooded, flying in May and June then July and August.
The annual counts have been:
1999 = 0. 2000 = 0. 2001 =0 . 2002 = 1. 2003 = 0. 2004 = 1. 2005 = 0. 2006 = 2. 2007 = 4. 2008 = 3. 2009 = 2.
2010 = 4. 2011 = 2. 2012 = 1. 2013 = 3. 2014 = 5. 2015 = 0. 2016 = 3. 2017 = 3. 2018 = 1. 2019 = 2. 2020 = 1. 2021 = 0. 2022 = 0. 2023 = 1. 2024 =
Earliest date: 19th May 2007.
Latest date: 2nd September 2007.
Peak count: 2 on 15th August 2017.
1956 Cabera exanthemata - Common Wave
Status: Scarce.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland and wet sites. The larval food plants are Goat and Grey Willows, Sallows, Aspen etc.
Broods/flight period: Double brooded, flying from May till early June then Mid June till July.
2016 proved a bumper year for Common Waves and I took 5 moths on four dates between July 22nd and August 2nd of that year.
2022 = 2. 2023 = 0.
Earliest date: n/a.
Latest date: n/a.
Peak count: 2 on 22nd August 2016.
1957 Lomographa bimaculata - White Pinion Spotted
Status: Rare.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland and rough ground. The larval food plants are Blackthorn and Hawthorn.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in May and June.
1999 - 2023 garden records: 1 on 1st June 2018.
Earliest date: n/a.
Latest date: n/a.
Peak count: n/a.
1958 Lomographa temerata - Clouded Silver
Status: Annual in small numbers.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, scrub and hedgerows etc. The larval food plants are Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Plum, Cherry, Crab Apple etc.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from May till July.
1999 - 2023 garden records:
Earliest date: 19th May 2014.
Latest date: 4th August 2005.
Peak count: 7 moths, one night in 2010.
1960 Theria primaria - Early Moth
Status: Rare.
Habitat/Food plant: Open woodland, scrub and hedgerows. The larval food pants are Blackthorn and Hawthorn.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in January and February/March.
1999 - 2023 garden records: Four records, taken on 5th March 2010, 30th December 2010, 11th February 2011, 14th February 2011, another on ??? and 27th January 2021.
Earliest date: n/a.
Latest date: n/a.
Peak count: n/a.
1961 Campaea margaritata - Light Emerald
Status: Common.
Habitat/Food plant: Broadleaved woodland, scrub. hedgerows etc. The larval food plants are wide ranging including Oak, Hawthorn, Silver Birch, Elm, sallow, Horse Chestnut etc.
Broods/flight period: Double brooded, flying from late May/June then again in August and September.
1999 - 2023 garden records: The first generation can be scarce here (often non existent) though the second generation moths are plentiful enough.
Earliest date: 18th May 2007.
Latest date: 4 October 2005.
Peak count: 8 on 9th September 2023.
1962 Hylaea fasciaria - Barred Red
.JPG)
Status: Rare, though increasing gradually as the years wore on.
Earliest date: n/a.
Latest date: n/a.
Peak count: 2 on 22nd August 2016.
1957 Lomographa bimaculata - White Pinion Spotted
Status: Rare.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland and rough ground. The larval food plants are Blackthorn and Hawthorn.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in May and June.
Earliest date: n/a.
Latest date: n/a.
Peak count: n/a.
1958 Lomographa temerata - Clouded Silver
Status: Annual in small numbers.
Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, scrub and hedgerows etc. The larval food plants are Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Plum, Cherry, Crab Apple etc.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from May till July.
Earliest date: 19th May 2014.
Latest date: 4th August 2005.
Peak count: 7 moths, one night in 2010.
1960 Theria primaria - Early Moth
Status: Rare.
Habitat/Food plant: Open woodland, scrub and hedgerows. The larval food pants are Blackthorn and Hawthorn.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in January and February/March.
Earliest date: n/a.
Latest date: n/a.
Peak count: n/a.
1961 Campaea margaritata - Light Emerald
Status: Common.
Habitat/Food plant: Broadleaved woodland, scrub. hedgerows etc. The larval food plants are wide ranging including Oak, Hawthorn, Silver Birch, Elm, sallow, Horse Chestnut etc.
Broods/flight period: Double brooded, flying from late May/June then again in August and September.
Earliest date: 18th May 2007.
Latest date: 4 October 2005.
Peak count: 8 on 9th September 2023.
1962 Hylaea fasciaria - Barred Red
One of the brown type (f.fasciaria) taken on 25th June 2014
.JPG)
... and the green form, 'f.prasinaria' ...
Status: Rare, though increasing gradually as the years wore on.
Habitat/Food plant: Pine Forest where the larvae feed on Scots Pine and Norway Spruce etc.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from June till August.
1999 - 2023 garden records: One of the green f.prasinaria (probably a migrant type in Kent) taken on 16th September 2013 then single red/brown one's on 25th June 2014, 6th July 2017, 22nd September 2020 and 14th August 2022. The run of normal brown one's came to an end with two more of the green f.prasinaria types which showed up on August 28th and September 21st.
Earliest date: 25th June 2014.
Latest date: 21st September 2023.
Peak count: Singles only.
1964 Charissa obscurata - Annulet
Status: Rare.
Habitat/Food plant: Coastal, cliffs and grasslands etc. The larval food plants are Thrift, Sea Campion, Common Rock-rose etc.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in July and August.
1999 - 2023 garden records: 21st August 2013.
Earliest date: n/a.
Latest date: n/a.
Peak count: n/a.
1968 Semiaspilates ochrearia - Yellow Belle
Status: Annual ... but only just about.
Habitat/Food plant: Coastal, the larvae feeding on Sea Wormwood, Hare's-foot Clover, Smooth Tare, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Restharrow, Wild Carrot, Beaked Hawks-beard, Buck's Horn Plantain and Spanish Catchfly.
Broods/flight period: Double brooded flying in May and June then again in August and September.
1999 - 2023 garden records:
The annual counts have been:
1999 = 9. 2000 = 1. 2001 =3 . 2002 = 5. 2003 = 5. 2004 = 4. 2005 = 3. 2006 = 4. 2007 = 2. 2008 = 5. 2009 = 4. 2010 = 2. 2011 = 1. 2012 = 2.
2013 = 2. 2014 = 2. 2015 = 1. 2016 = 1. 2017 = 0. 2018 = 0. 2019 = 1. 2020 = 5. 2021 = 1. 2022 = 2. 2023 = 0. 2024 =
Earliest date: 14th May 2009.
Latest date: 11th September 2013.
Peak count: 2 moths, in 1999 and 2003.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from June till August.
Earliest date: 25th June 2014.
Latest date: 21st September 2023.
Peak count: Singles only.
1964 Charissa obscurata - Annulet
Status: Rare.
Habitat/Food plant: Coastal, cliffs and grasslands etc. The larval food plants are Thrift, Sea Campion, Common Rock-rose etc.
Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in July and August.
Earliest date: n/a.
Latest date: n/a.
Peak count: n/a.
1968 Semiaspilates ochrearia - Yellow Belle
Status: Annual ... but only just about.
Habitat/Food plant: Coastal, the larvae feeding on Sea Wormwood, Hare's-foot Clover, Smooth Tare, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Restharrow, Wild Carrot, Beaked Hawks-beard, Buck's Horn Plantain and Spanish Catchfly.
Broods/flight period: Double brooded flying in May and June then again in August and September.
The annual counts have been:
1999 = 9. 2000 = 1. 2001 =3 . 2002 = 5. 2003 = 5. 2004 = 4. 2005 = 3. 2006 = 4. 2007 = 2. 2008 = 5. 2009 = 4. 2010 = 2. 2011 = 1. 2012 = 2.
2013 = 2. 2014 = 2. 2015 = 1. 2016 = 1. 2017 = 0. 2018 = 0. 2019 = 1. 2020 = 5. 2021 = 1. 2022 = 2. 2023 = 0. 2024 =
Earliest date: 14th May 2009.
Latest date: 11th September 2013.
Peak count: 2 moths, in 1999 and 2003.
