Footman, Tiger Moths and Ermines.

Footman, Tiger Moths and Ermines.

Arctiidae (Lithosiinae)

2035 Thumatha senex - Round-winged Muslin

Status: Rare.

Habitat/Food plant: Damps areas, marshes, fens bogs etc. The larval food plants are lichens and mosses growing on the ground. Also on algae found low down on the stems of marsh plants.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from late June till August.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Ten records here: seen on 14/07/05, 17/07/05, 19/07/06, 30/06/2010, 1/07/15, 16/07/2016, 24th July 2020, 30th June 2022, 27th June 2023 and 26th June 2024.  

Earliest date: 27th June 2023.

Latest date: 24th July 2020. 

Peak count: Singles only.


2037 Miltochrista miniata - Rosy Footman

Status: Scarce perhaps increasing during the middle 2020's? 

Habitat/Food plant: Broadleaved woodland, the larval food plants are Dog Lichen and other lichens found growing on trees.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from mid June till August.

1999 - 2023 garden records: The records, all as singles on: 30/07/04, 20/07/06, 17/07/08, 08/08/12, 08/07/2014, 13/08/2016, 06/07/2017, 28/07/2019, 11/08/2021, 14/08/2021 and 29th July 2023. (1 date missing) ...

2024: July 21st and July 26th. 

Earliest date: 6th July 2017.

Latest date: 14th August 2021. 

Peak count: Singles only.


2039 Atolmis rubricollis - Red-necked Footman

Status: Scarce.

Habitat/Food plant: Broadleaved woodland, the larval food plants are Lichens growing on Oak, birch, beech, larch, spruce etc.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in June and July.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Five records prior to 2015, taken on 31/07/01, 14/06/03, 12/07/06, 28/06/10 and 30/06/10. A mental period of migration during the summer of 2015 produced 5 moths on 30th June and 3 more on 1st July with further singles showing on 14/06/2017 and 16/06/2022. 

2016 = 0.    2017 = 1   2018 = 1.   2019 = 1.    2020 = 0.   2021 = 0.   2022 = 3.  2023 = 0.   2024 = 0.   2025 = 1. 

Earliest date: 14th June 2003 and 2017.

Latest date: 31st July 2001.

Peak count: 5 on 30th June 2015 and 3 on 1st July 2015. 


2040 Cybosia mesomella - Four-dotted Footman

Status: Rare.

Habitat/Food plant: Open woodland, damp grassland etc. The larval food plants are Algae and Lichens also Heathers and Sallows etc.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from mid June till August.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Only one record, taken on 16th June 2007.

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.


2043 Eilema sororcula - Orange Footman

Status: Uncommon.

Habitat/Food plant: Mainly mature Oak and Beech woodland but also dense Blackthorn scrub. The larval food plants are Lichens growing and trees and Blackthorn.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in May and June.

1999 - 2024 garden records:  Once a scarcity increasing in numbers during the past couple of years. 

The annual counts have been:

1999 = 0.    2000 = 0.    2001 = 0.    2002 = 0.    2003 = 1.    2004 = 0.    2005 = 0.    2006 = 1.    2007 = 0.    2008 = 1.    2009 = 0.    2010 = 1.    2011 = 3.    2012 = 1.  

2013 = 0.    2014 = 0.    2015 = 1.    2016 = 1.    2017 = 1.    2018 = 0.    2019 = 0.    2020 = 4.    2021 = 5.   2022 = 11.   2023 = 2.   2024 = 2. 

Earliest date: 10th May 2012.

Latest date: 20th July 2015.

Peak count: singles only/scarce till 2021 then 2 on 22nd May 2022. I know, that's an awful lot of two's eh? After this also 2 on 6th June 2022 and 3 on 7th June 2022. 


2044 Eilema griseola - Dingy Footman

Usual grey type

The less common orange form, f.stramineola.

Status: Regular in small numbers.

Habitat/Food plant: Damp and marshy places, the larval food plants are Lichens and Algae growing on tress and bushes.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in July and August.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Stable here, never numerous.

Earliest date: 25th June 2006.

Latest date: 27th August 2012.

Peak count: 6 moths in 2006.


2045 Eilema caniola - Hoary Footman

Status: Rare, but increasing.  Earlier records probably migrants here but resident latterly?

Habitat/Food plant: Rocky coastlines, beaches etc. The larval food plants are Algae and Lichens found growing on rocks etc. Also Bird's-foot Trefoil and related plants.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from July till September.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Six records here up until 2021, being seen on 10/09/2010, 18/08/2012, 01/09/2013, 03/08/2016, 21st July 2021 and 26th July 2021. 

2021 = 2.   2022 = 6.  2023 = 3.   2024 = 5.   2025 = 

Earliest date: Usually a late summer/early autumn sighting here the more usual early date was 18th August 2012. A rogue individuals seen on the 4th then 22nd May 2022 trumped that somewhat. 

Latest date: 12th September 2022.

Peak count: 2 on 13th August 2022. 


2046 Eilema pygmaeola pygmaeola - Pigmy Footman

31st July 2020.

7th July 2023

Status: Rare.

Habitat/Food plant: Coastal sand dunes, the larval food plants are lichens and algae found growing on stones, posts and plants.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in July and August.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Four records here, on 9th August 2002, 21st August 2012, 6th July 2019, 31st July 2020 and 7th July 2023.  

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.


2047 Eilema complana - Scarce Footman

Status: Common.

Habitat/Food plant: Wide ranging, the larvae feeding on Lichens and algae found growing on rocks.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in July and August.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Numbers fluctuate here, they were scarce in 2011 when only two moths showed up all year.

Earliest date: 24th June 2010.

Latest date: 31st August 2012.

Peak count: 10 moths, on 28th July 2003.


2049 Eilema depressa  - Buff Footman

Status: Rare but increasing on the Vile Isle during recent years ...

Habitat/Food plant: Broadleaved woodland, the larval food plants are Lichens and algae growing on trees.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in July and August.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Ten records here, all as singles on 18th July 2008, 22nd July 2008, 17th July 2015, 20th July 2015, 1st July 2016, 25th July 2018, 3rd August 2018, 8th July 2019, 31st July 2020 and 4th August 2021.  

2018 = 2.  2019 = 1.  2020 = 1.  2022 = 1.  2023 = 4.   2024 = 2.   2025 = 

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.


2050 Eilema lurideola - Common Footman

Status: Common.

Habitat/Food plant: Most lowland habitats. The larval food plants are Lichens and algae, also Hawthorn, Travelers Joy and Bramble.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, on the wing from late June till August.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Increasing here, with some very large peaks counts occurring in 2012 and 2013.

Earliest date: 1st June 2014.

Latest date: 28th August 2005.

Peak count: 46 moths, on 7th July 2012 and 62 moths on 26th July 2013.


2051 Lithosia quadra - Four-spotted Footman

The male

The female

Status: Scarce but on the increase.

Habitat/Food plant: Broadleaved woodland, the larval food plants are Dog Lichen and other lichens found growing on trees.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from July till September.

1999 - 2024 garden records:

The annual counts have been: Ten records (twelve moths) which have turned up once in June, once in July, three times in September and five times in October.

1999 = 0.    2000 = 0.    2001 = 0.    2002 = 0.    2003 = 0.    2004 = 0.    2005 = 0.    2006 = 1.    2007 = 0.    2008 = 3.    2009 = 0.    2010 = 0.    2011 = 0.    2012 = 1.  

2013 = 4.    2014 = 1.    2015 = 0.    2016 = 1.    2017 = 1.    2018 = 3.   2019 = 1.    2020 = 0.   2021 = 0.   2022 = 0.  2023 = 0.  2024 = 5.   2025 = 

Earliest date: 30th June 2012.

Latest date: 17th October 2013.

Peak count: 2 moths, on 7th October 2008 and 1st July 2018.


Arctiinae

2057 Arctia caja - Garden Tiger

Status: Once regular, showing a steady decline from the middle 2000's.

Habitat/Food plant: Wide ranging in both use of habitat and food plants, which included Common Nettle, Broad-leaved Dock, Burdocks, Hound's-tongue etc.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in July and August.

1999 - 2024 garden records: They were seen fairly regular till 2004 when number fell away dramatically here before increasing slightly again after 2017. 

The annual counts have been:

1999 = 12.    2000 = 20.    2001 = 20.    2002 = 15.    2003 = 10.    2004 = 0.    2005 = 3.    2006 = 1.    2007 = 0.    2008 = 7.    2009 = 1.    2010 = 3.     2011 = 0.       2012 = 5.   

 2013 = 2.     2014 = 3.      2015 = 2.      2016 = 1.      2017 = 15.    2018 = 15.    2019 = 10.     2020 = 15.   2021 = 14.   2022 = 7.  2023 = 10.  2024 = 13.   2025 = 

Earliest date: 12th July 1999 and 2003.

Latest date: 24th August 2000 and 2001.

Peak count: 4 on 9th August 2002.


2058 Arctia villica - Cream-spot Tiger

Status: Rare.

Habitat/Food plant: Open ground on the coast. The larval food plants include White Dead-nettle, Chickweeds, Hawkweeds, Ragworts and Black Horehound.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, on the wing from late May till July.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Only three records here, on 8th June 2003, 12th June 2006 and 3rd June 2015.

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.

2059 Diacrisia sannio - Clouded Buff

Status: rare. 

Habitat/Food plant: Heathland and open ground. The larval food plants include Heather and other herbaceous plants. 

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, on the wing in June/July. 

1999 - 2024 garden records: One on 18th August 2023. 

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.

2060 Spilosoma lubricipeda - White Ermine

Status: Common.

Habitat/Food plant: Both very wide ranging.

Broods/flight period: Usually single brooded, flying from April/May till July. Occasionally September and October too, though not very often.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Regular but never numerous.

Earliest date: 18th April 2007.

Latest date: 1st generation till 14th July (in 2015) but I have on a few occasions taken second generation moths as follows: on 12th August 2003, 2nd October 2004, 26th August 2022 and 25th August 2023.  

Peak count: 14 moths, in 2009.


2061 Spilosoma luteum - Buff Ermine

Status: Common.

Habitat/Food plant: Both extremely varied.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from May till July.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Can arrive in fairly large numbers, twenty plus counts regular here.

Earliest date: 5th April 2014.

Latest date: 19th September 2014. I have on two occasions taken late moths, presumably a second generation things on 27th October 2010 and 6th October 2015.

Peak count: 32 moths in 2008 and 2013.


2062 Spilosoma urticae - Water Ermine

Status: Rare.

Habitat/Food plant: Marshes, wet meadows, ditches etc. The larval food plants include Water Mint, Water Dock, Yellow Loosestrife, Lousewort and Yellow Iris.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, on the wing in June and July.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Eight records here, taken on: 03/06/03, 06/06/03, 18/06/03, 03/06/04, 04/06/06, 06/06/11, 22/06/2016, 27/05/2018.

Earliest date: 27th May 2018.

Latest date: 18th June 2003.

Peak count: Singles only.


2063 Diaphora mendica - Muslin Moth

Status: Fairly common.

Habitat/Food plant: Many open habitats, the larvae eating many different herbaceous plants.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in May and June.

1999 - 2024 garden records: They occur in small numbers only.

2022 = 2.  2023 = 5.   2024 = 2.   2025 =  

Earliest date: 6th April 2017.

Latest date: 3rd June in 2006 and 2007.

Peak count: Six moths, in 2011.


2064 Phragmatobia fuliginosa fuliginosa - Ruby Tiger

Status: Fairly common.

Habitat/Food plant: Most open habitats are used ... the larval food plants are varied.

Broods/flight period: Double brooded, flying from April till June then again from July till September.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Numbers and flying times vary greatly here. The wide ranging dates in some years suggest three generations perhaps?

Earliest date: 19th April 2011.

Latest date: 20th September 2005.

Peak count: 10 moths, in 2009 and 2010.

2067 Euplagia quadripunctaria - Jersey Tiger

Status: Rare prior to 2020 but has since exploded into activity locally.  

Habitat/Food plant: Gardens, rough ground, coastal areas etc the larval food plants include common Nettle, Dead Nettles and Hemp Agrimoney. 

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from July till early September. 

1999 - 2023 garden records: 

singles on 11th August 2020 and 16th August 2020.  

2020 = 2.  2021 = 0.  2022 = 23.  2023 = 12.  2024 = 17.   2025 = 

Earliest date: 17th July 2025. 

Latest date: 2nd September 2023. 

Peak count: 6 on 10th August 2022. 


2069 Tyria jocobaeae - Cinnabar

Status: Almost annual.

Habitat/Food plant: Well drained open areas where Ragwort, the larval food plant grows.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from May till July/August.

1999 - 2024 garden records:

The annual counts have been:

1999 = 0.    2000 = 0.    2001 = 4.    2002 = 0.    2003 = 5.    2004 = 4.    2005 = 2.    2006 = 2.    2007 = 3.    2008 = 1.    2009 = 2.    2010 = 1.    2011 = 5.    2012 = 1.  

2013 = 0.    2014 = 2.    2015 = 2.   2016 = 0.    2017 = 3.    2018 = 5.   2019 = 1.    2020 = 7.   2021 = 3.   2022 = 6.   2023 = 5.  2024 = 7.   2025 = 

Earliest date: 18th April 2025. 

Latest date: 16th July 2015.

Peak count: 2 moths, on 17th June 2005, 7th June 2006 and 21st June 2018.


Nolidae

2076 Meganola albula - Kent Black Arches

Status: Scarce.

Habitat/Food plant: Coastal heathland, salt marshes, shingle and sandy beaches.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from late June till August.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Notable here.

The annual counts have been:

1999 = 0.    2000 = 0.    2001 = 0.    2002 = 0.    2003 = 0.    2004 = 1.    2005 = 5.    2006 = 2.    2007 = 3.    2008 = 0.    2009 = 2.    2010 = 0.    2011 = 0.    2012 = 0.  

2013 = 0.    2014 = 0.    2015 = 1.    2016 = 1.    2017 = 4.    2018 = 1.    2019 = 0.    2020 = 2.   2021 = 1.   2022 = 3.  2023 = 0.  2024 = 0.   2025 = 

Earliest date: 6th July 2018.

Latest date: 3rd August 2004.

Peak count: 2 moths, on 24th July 2006 and 16th July 2007. Also one on the very late date of 15th October 2017.


2077 Nola cucullatella - Short-cloaked Moth

Status: Irregular here, though they do occur in very small numbers in most years.

Habitat/Food plant: Hedgerows, scrub and woodland. The larval food plants are Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Apple, Pear and Plum.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in June and July.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Virtually always notable here.

The approximate annual counts have been:

1999 = 0.    2000 = 0.    2001 = 3.    2002 = 2.    2003 = 0.    2004 = 3.    2005 = 0.    2006 = 2.    2007 = 2.    2008 = 3.    2009 = 3.    2010 = 6.    2011 = 1.    2012 = 1.  

2013 = 5.    2014 = 2.    2015 = 2.    2016 = 0.    2017 = 3.    2018 = 0.    2019 = 6.    2020 = 2.   2021 = 1.   2022 = 0.  2023 = 2.  2024 = 1. 

Earliest date: 15th June 2007.

Latest date: 30th July 2013 plus a presumed second generation moth on 27th August 2017.

Peak count: 2 on 9th July 2004, 2 on ??th July 2010 and 2 on 10th July 2019.


2078 Nola confusalis - Least Black Arches

Status: Irregular and getting more scarce as the years wear on.

Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, hedgerows, parkland etc.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, on the wing in May and June.

1999 - 2023 garden records: The numbers are very up and down here.

The approximate annual counts have been:

1999 = 0.    2000 = 1.    2001 = 8.    2002 = 1.    2003 = 3.    2004 = 2.    2005 = 1.    2006 = 3.    2007 = 2.    2008 = 0.    2009 = 0.    2010 = 3.    2011 = 1.    2012 = 2.  

2013 = 0.    2014 = 4.    2015 = 0.   2016 = 0.    2017 = 0.    2018 = 0.   2019 = 2.    2020 = 0.   2021 = 1.   2022 = 2.   2023 = 0.    2024 = 9.   2025 = 

Earliest date: 2nd April 2014.

Latest date: 11th June 2006.

Peak count: 2 moths on three dates in 2001 and once in 2014.


2079 Nola aerugula - Scarce Black Arches

Status: Rare migrant.

Habitat/Food plant:

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from late June till August.

1999 - 2024 garden records:

One record taken on 25th July 2016.

Earliest date: n/a

Latest date: n/a

Peak count: n/a

Darts, Yellow Underwings and Clays.

Noctuidae

2081 Euxoa tritici - White-line Dart

Status: Surprisingly rare here.

Habitat/Food plant: Coastal sand dunes, cliffs, moorland etc. The larval food plants are wide ranging, including Corn Spurry, Ladies and Hedge Bedstraw and Mouse-ears.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying mainly in June and July.

1999 - 2024 garden records: It has occurred on 'only' eight momentous occasion here ... stone the crows! The BIG dates were 30/07/99, 4/08/2003, 20/07/10, 3/08/10, 28/06/2011, 20/08/14, 20/08/15, 14/07/2022, 2nd July 2023 and 29th July 2023.  

Earliest date: 28th June 2011.

Latest date: 4th August 2003.

Peak count: Singles only.


2082 Euxoa nigricans - Garden Dart

Status: Rare.

Habitat/Food plant: Rough open ground, allotments, farmland etc. The larval food plants are varied but included Clovers, Docks and Plantains.

Broods/flight period:  Single brooded, flying mainly from July though till September.

1999 - 2023 garden records: Five records here, taken on: 25/08/01, 28/08/01, 29/07/05, 11/08/07 and 12/08/2018.

Earliest date: 29th July 2005.

Latest date: 28th August 2001.

Peak count: Singles only.


2085 Agrotis vestigalis - Archer's Dart

Status: Rare.

Habitat/Food plant: Mainly coastal sand dunes. The larval food plants include Bedstraws, Stichworts and Sea Sandwort.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying mainly from July till September.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Three records, all singles, on 18th August 2001, 29th August 2017 and 27th July 2021. 

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.

2087 Agrotis segetum - Turnip Moth

Status: Common.

Habitat/Food plant: Varied in both habitat and dietary requirements.

Broods/flight period: Double brooded, though migrants can turn up at any time of year. In the UK they fly mainly between May and June and then again from August till October.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Although regular here, catches rarely reach double figures.

Earliest date: 6th May 2007.

Latest date: 29th November 2003.

Peak count: 13 moths, in 2008.

2088 Agrotis clavis - Heart and Club

Status: Common and increasing.

Habitat/Food plant: Coastal sand dunes and and chalk downland. The larval food plants are varied, including Fat Hen, Broad-leaved Dock and Wild Carrot.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying mainly from June till early August.

1999 - 2024 garden records: The catch sizes have increased massively since 2009. There were no double figures catches here prior to '09, though they regularly reached this figures and beyond afterwards.

Earliest date: 1st June in 2005 and 2011.

Latest date: 25th August 2004. August records are rare here, they usually fizzle out during July.

Peak count: 33 moths, in 2013.

2089 Agrotis exclamationis - Heart and Dart

Status: Common.

Habitat/Food plant: Anywhere on low ground, the larval food -plants vary, including Fat Hen and Ribwort Plantain.

Broods/flight period: Double brooded, flying mainly from May till August and then again in September.

1999 - 2024 garden records: A moth than often arrives in large numbers here.

Earliest date: 22nd April 2014.

Latest date: 30th September 2011.

Peak count: 159 moths, one night in 2007. Also 118 one night in 2009.

2091 Agrotis ipsilon - Dark Sword-grass

Status: Annual, can be regular during good migration weather, at other times not so.

Habitat/Food plant: Mainly coastal in the UK ... the larval food plants are varied.

Broods/flight period: Most numerous from July till October, but can show up at any time of year in good weather.

1999 - 2023 garden records: An erratic species here that has shown up during most months of the year.

The approximate annual counts have been:

1999 = 3.    2000 = 10+.    2001 = 9.    2002 = 10.    2003 = 5.    2004 = 15.    2005 = 6.    2006 =     2007 = 20+.    2008 = 5.    2009 = 10.    2010 = 6.     2011 = 4.       2012 = 3.  

2013 = 17.    2014 = 2.     2015 = 2.     2016 = 0.      2017 = 8.     2018 = 12.    2019 = 15.    2020 = 15.   2021 = 4.   2022 = 14.   2023 = 8.   2024 = 6.   2025 = 

Earliest date: 12th January 2004.

Latest date: 25th November 2012.

Peak count: 3 moths, in 2006.


2092 Agrotis puta puta - Shuttle-shaped Dart

Status: Common.

Habitat/Food plant: Both are wide ranging.

Broods/flight period: At least two overlapping generations, on the wing mainly from April till October.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Catches regularly reach double figures/twenties here.

Earliest date: 9th April 2007.

Latest date: 20th November 2003.

Peak count: 29 moths, in 2011.


2093 Agrotis ripae - Sand Dart

The second sighting of Sand Dart here, taken on 15th June 2022. The previous one taken twenty years prior was caught before I bought my first digital camera. 

Status: Rare.

Habitat/Food plant: A moth of sandy beaches where the larvae feed on a wide range of plants found along the strand line including Prickly Saltwort, Sea Purslane, Annual Sea-blite, Common Orache and Sea Goosefoot.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in June and July.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Two single moths, taken on 22nd June 2002 then 15th June 2022. 

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.

2098 Axylia putris - Flame

Status: Common but showing much decline in recent years. 

Habitat/Food plant: It is a widespread species feeding on lots of various plants.

Broods/flight period:  Mainly single brooded, flying mainly in June and July. There can be a very small second generation in August some years.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Peak catches reach double figures most years.

Earliest date: 16th May 2011.

Latest date: 25th August in 2004 and 2013. Also second generation moths on 15th and 16th September 2014.

Peak count: 38 moths, in 2006.

2102 Ochropleaura plecta - Flame Shoulder

Status: Common but in massive decline recently. 

Habitat/Food plant: Both wide ranging.

Broods/flight period: Double brooded, flying from May till October.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Catches vary greatly from year to year here where they rarely reach double figures, especially in the latter years. I took only one in each of the years 2020 and 2021. 

2020 = 1.   2021 = 1.  2022 = 9.  2023 = 4.   2024 = 

Earliest date: 15th April 2007.

Latest date: 20th September 2003.

Peak count: 27 moths, on 11th August 2003.

2102a Ochropleaura leucogaster - Radford's Flame Shoulder

Status: Rare migrant. 

Habitat/Food plant: Various Trefoils and other low growing plants. 

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from September till November. 

1999 - 2024 garden records: One on 1st October 2024. 

Earliest date: n/a

Latest date: n/a

Peak count: n/a

2105 Rhyacia simulans - Dotted Rustic

One taken on 11th August 2014, the first capture for fourteen years. 

Status: Rare.

Habitat/Food plant: Open countryside, hedgerows and light woodland. The preferred larval food plant remains unknown.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in June and July, then again (after aestavating) from late August till October.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Four records, all but one in the year 2000. They were 1 on 23/07/2000, 2 on 24/07/2000, 1 on 20/10/2000 and 1 on 11/08/14.

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.

2107 Noctua pronuba - Large Yellow Underwing

Status: Common, often numerous.

Habitat/Food plant: Lets just say it's hard to escape these things ... they eat anything too.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying mainly from June till October/November.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Can arrive in vast numbers, 100+ moths not too unusual ... it's a bit irritating if truth be known as they upset all the other moths in the trap.

Earliest date: 15th May 2007. Also of note, a rather silly one arrived on 10th February 2014.

Latest date: 5th December 2009.

Peak count: 136 moths, one night in 2006 ... yuk!

2109 Noctua comes - Lesser Yellow Underwing

Status: Common.

Habitat/Food plant: Both wide ranging.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying mainly between June and September/October.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Large arrivals annual here, 30's, 40's, 50+'s etc.

Earliest date: 5th June 2004.

Latest date: 9th December 2009.

Peak count: 81 moths, one night in 2004.

2110 Noctua fimbriata - Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing

They come in a few variations of plumage, above are the two extremes. 

Status: Annual in small numbers.

Habitat/Food plant: Occurring in lots of places and feeding on lots of things.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from July, then after hiding away (sounds like me?) emerges again in September and October.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Never numerous here.

Earliest date: 22nd June 2004.

Latest date: 1st October 2015.

Peak count: 6 moths, in 2004.

2110a Noctua janthina - Langmaid's Yellow Underwing

A more obvious specimen, it being 'very' dark

The 'bull necked' appearance often gives them away without checking the underwing/hindwings etc.

Status: Annual in recent years.

Habitat/Food plant: Not properly understood but very likely to be similar to N.janthe.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, on the wing in July and August.

1999 - 2024 garden records:

The annual counts have been:

1999 = 0.    2000 = 0.    2001 = 0.    2002 = 0.    2003 = 0.    2004 = 1.    2005 = 2.    2006 = 3.    2007 = 1.    2008 = 3.    2009 = 10.    2010 = 2.    2011 = 2.    2012 = 3.  

2013 = 4.    2014 = 3.    2015 = 2.   2016 = 2.    2017 = 4.     2018 = 9.    2019 = 15.    2010 = 18.   2021 = 6.   2022 = 13+   2023 = 13.   2024 = 16.   2025 = 

Earliest date: 26th June 2017.

Latest date: 16th August 2004.

Peak count: 2 on 2nd August 2018.

2111 Noctua janthe - Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing

Status: Common.

Habitat/Food plant: Wide ranging.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from July till September/October.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Often arriving in large numbers, twenties, thirties and even forty plus.

Earliest date: 26th June 2002.

Latest date: 5th October 2011 in usual years though one did show up totally out of the blue on 7th November 2015.

Peak count: 86 moths, one night in 2004.

2112 Noctua interjecta - Least Yellow Underwing

Status: Catches have been a bit up and down here over the years.

Habitat/Food plant: Wide ranging.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from July till August/September.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Annual numbers have ranged from c.30 in 2003 to none at all  in 2012 and 2021. 

2021 = 0.   2022 = 6.   2023 = 2.   2024 = 0.   2025 = 

Earliest date: 7th July 2000.

Latest date: 9th September 2004.

Peak count: Up to four moths in both 2003 and 2004.

2117 Eugnorisma glareosa - Autumnal Rustic

Status: Rare.

Habitat/Food plant: Wide ranging, using open grassland, shingle beaches , even light woodland. The larval food plants include Heather, Bedstraws, Bluebells, Birches and Sallow scrub ... also grasses.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from August till October.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Two records here, on 2nd October 2013 and 10th October 2017.

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.


2118 Lycophotia porphyrea - True Lover's Knot

Status: Rare.

Habitat/Food plant: A heathland species where the larval stage feeds on Heather and Heath.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from June till August.

1999 - 2024 garden records: One, taken on 14th July 2018.

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.

2119 Peridroma saucia - Pearly Underwing

Status: Irregular migrant, taken most years in small numbers.

Habitat/Food plant: Can occur anywhere, the larval food plants are varied and include Clovers, Docks, Dandelion, Cabbage and Rape.

Broods/flight period: Can show up at pretty much any time of the year, though most regular in September and October.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Always notable here (bar 2006 perhaps) they have appeared during most months of the year.

The annual counts have been:

 1999 = 1.    2000 = 1.    2001 = 1.    2002 = 3.    2003 = 5.    2004 = 3.    2005 = 1.    2006 = 20+    2007 = 7.    2008 = 0.    2009 = 2.    2010 = 1.    2011 = 1.    2012 = 1.  

2013 = 1.    2014 = 2.    2015 = 2.    2016 = 0.    2017 = 5.     2018 = 0.    2019 = 2.    2020 = 0.   2021 = 3.   2022 = 5.   2023 = 13.   2024 = 5.   2025 = 

Earliest date: 29th January 2007.

Latest date: 13th November 2006.

Peak count: Up to two moths, in 2006.

2120 Diarsia mendica mendica - Ingrailed Clay

Status: Rare.

Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, the larval food plants include Primrose, Violets etc also Heather, Hawthorn, Bilberry, Sallow etc.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in June and July.

1999 - 2024 garden records: One record, taken on 27th May 2001.

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.

2123 Diarsia rubi - Small Square-spot

Status: Fairly common, then disappearing completely from 2010.

Habitat/Food plant: It occurs pretty much anywhere, the larval food plants are varied but include common plants such as Dandelion, Docks and Foxgloves etc.

Broods/flight period: Double brooded, on the wing from May till June then again in August and September.

1999 - 2024 garden records: A once common species, showing up in decent numbers in both broods, which disappeared completely in 2010 for reasons unknown? After taking none for three years (2010,11 and 12) 3 moths showed up in the autumn brood of 2013 and small numbers occurred annually afterwards, so hopefully they will return to their former glory?

2023 = 9.  2024 = 12.   2025 = 

Earliest date: 12th May 2024.

Latest date: 9th October 2008.

Peak count: 9 moths, in 2008.

2126 Xestia c-nigrum - Setaceous Hebrew Character

Status: Common.

Habitat/Food plant: Occurs in most places, the larval stage eating various herbaceous plants.

Broods/flight period: Double brooded, a smaller generation on the wing from May till July then a larger one from August till October.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Catches can often be large, 50+ moths or more.

Earliest date: 5th May 2011.

Latest date: 10th November 2013.

Peak count: 112 moths, one night in 2009.


2127 Xestia ditrapezium - Triple-spotted Clay

I actually caught the above in July of 2016 but thought it to be a Double Square Spot at the time. It wasn't until July of 2018 that I identified the moth properly after seeing an on-line identification paper showing the two confusion species (X. ditrapezium and X triangulum) side by side. The clinching factors are the narrow wing shape, the purple suffusion and the fact that the right hand wing overlaps the left hand wing marking.  

Status: Rare.

Habitat/Food plant: Woodland and Parkland where the larval stages feed on Birch, Sallow and Bramble.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in July.

1999 - 2024 garden records: One record, taken on 12th July 2016.

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.

2128 Xestia triangulum - Double Square-spot

Status: A low level/non annual visitor.

Habitat/Food plant: Woodland, hedgerows, open country etc ... the larval food plants are varied but include Buttercups, Primrose, Cow Parsley, Wood Spurge, Blackthorn, Hawthorn and Raspberry.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from June till August.

1999 - 2024 garden records:

The annual counts have been:

1999 = 0.    2000 = 0.    2001 = 1.    2002 = 2.    2003 = 0.    2004 = 2.    2005 = 0.    2006 = 2.    2007 = 1.    2008 = 5.    2009 = 7.    2010 = 0.    2011 = 2.    2012 = 0.  

2013 = 2.    2014 = 2.    2015 = 4.    2016 = 1.    2017 = 1.    2018 = 1.    2019 = 1.    2020 = 0.   2021 = 0.   2022 = 0.   2023 = 0.   2024 = 0.   2025 = 

Earliest date: 16th June 2017.

Latest date: 29th July 2001.

Peak count: 2 on 28th June 2008.

2133 Xestia sexstrigata - Six-striped Rustic

Status: Notable.

Habitat/Food plant: Wet meadows, marshes, damp woodland ... the larval food plants include Hedge Bedstraw, Ribwort Plantain, Bramble, Bluebell and Water Figwort.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in July and August.

1999 - 2024 garden records: An irregular species here.

The annual counts have been:

1999 =  0.   2000 = 0.    2001 = 1.    2002 = 0.    2003 = 1.    2004 = 0.    2005 = 0.    2006 = 2.    2007 = 1.    2008 = 0.    2009 = 2.    2010 = 1.    2011 = 1.    2012 = 0.  

2013 = 1.    2014 = 0.    2015 = 0.    2016 = 0.    2017 = 0.    2018 = 0.    2019 = 0.    2020 = 0.   2021 = 0.   2022 = 0.   2023 = 0.  2024 = 

Earliest date: 4th August 2001.

Latest date: 26th August in both 2006 and 2009.

Peak count: Singles only.

2134 Xestia xanthographa - Square-spot Rustic

Status: Common.

Habitat/Food plant: Grasslands, the main food plants are grasses but the larvae will also accept Cleavers and Plantains.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying from July till October.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Large catches are regular with these, 40 - 50 or more at times.

Earliest date: 4th June 2000.

Latest date: 20th October 2012.

Peak count: 79 moths, in 2001.

2137 Eurios occulta - Great Brocade

Status: Rare migrant.

Habitat/Food plant: Rivers, boggy areas, broadleaved woodland etc. The larval food plant is stated as mainly Bog Myrtle, though it will accept a few other plants.

Broods/flight period: Single brooded, flying in July and August.

1999 - 2024 garden records: Two records here, on 14th August 2006 and 17th August 2006.

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.

2138 Anaplectoides prasina - Green Arches

Status: Rare.

Habitat/Food plant: Broadleaved woodland, the larval food plants are wide ranging including Primrose, Docks, Honeysuckle, Bramble and Bilberry.

Broods/flight period: One generation, flying in July and August.

1999 - 2024 garden records: One record here, on 15th August 2005.

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.


Cerastis leucographa - White-marked

A very rare moth in this part of the world, perhaps only the third Kent record in over 100 years at the time of capture? 

Status: Rare.

Habitat/Food plant: A moth of open broadleaved woodland, old hedgerows and scrub. The larval food plants are unknown though in captivity the caterpillars will eat Stitchwort, Docks, Sallow, Oak etc.

Broods/flight period: One generation, flying from late March into April.

1999 - 2024 garden records: One record here, taken on 1st April 2014. This capture could possibly be only the third Kent record in recent times after moths taken in Lydd on 4th April 1999, in the Herne Bay area (by Barry Hunt) in April 2009 and my one in April 2014. The only other Kent record I can find is of one way back in 1912.

Earliest date: n/a.

Latest date: n/a.

Peak count: n/a.