1332       Scoparia subfusca (Haworth, 1811)

A widely distributed and locally common species in Britain, the larva feeding on the roots of ox-tongues (Picris spp.) and colt’s-foot (Tussilago farfara). In Dorset, this moth is encountered in three main biotypes. The first is along the coastal belt in undercliff and in unimproved grassland where bristly oxtongue (Picris echioides) and hawkweed oxtongue (Picris hieracioides) grow, respectively. The second is colt’s-foot rich habitat such as quarries, on verges and disturbed ground, and in unstable clay undercliff habitats. The third is ill-drained clay soil in the north-west of the county where bristly oxtongue grows, such as at Rooksmoor and in Hooke Park. The national norm is for a single brood in June and July, but in Dorset, an overlapping bivoltine cycle is suspected, with moths being observed well into September. This is our largest Scoparia species.

1333       Scoparia pyralella [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775]

A common species in England and Wales, more local in Scotland, the larva feeding on decaying plant material, and probably on the roots of common ragwort (Senecio jacobaea). In Dorset, the moth is abundant on unimproved grassland on chalky soil, and is most frequently seen on under-grazed downland and set aside, often where common ragwort is absent. The only records of rearing suggest that leaf litter is at least one of the foodplants. However, despite searching over a number of years no larvae have been found recently. The form purbeckensis, where the regions on the forewings inside the antemedian fascia and outside the postmedian fasca are white, is only known in the UK from the area near Swanage. The brown markings and relatively white ground colour are diagnostic.

1334       Scoparia ambigualis (Treitschke 1829)

A widespread species throughout Britain, the larval foodplant is unknown. In Dorset, the moth is common to abundant in woodland and in plantations. The moth also appears to colonise damp heathland and mire habitat, and is particularly common in situations where Sphagnum grows along the furrows between the serried ranks of plantation conifers. The national norm is for a single brood in May and June, but in Dorset, many moths also appear during July. Given the lack of sufficient nutrient in mosses to sustain two generations a year, the moth is probably single brooded with an extended emergence period. The following very late date is noteworthy and coincided with migrant-bearing southerly airflow from the continent: Puddletown, at MV light on 29 October 2001 (H Wood Homer).

1334.1   Scoparia basistrigalis (Knaggs, 1866)

A local deciduous woodland and moorland species in England, the larval foodplant until recently was unknown. R Heckford and Dr P Sterling managed to rear it from the New Forest from the moss Mnium hornum. In Dorset, the moth is very local and restricted to deciduous woodland and damp heathland. The national norm is for a single brood in July, but in Dorset an extended emergence period is evident from records that span mid-June to mid-September.

1335       Scoparia ancipitella (La Harpe, 1855)     Notable/Nb

A local species nationally, restricted to western England, the larval foodplant is unknown, but thought to be mosses (Musci spp.). There are just a couple of recent records from a single site in Dorset: Morden Bog, on 7 July 1995 and on 26 July 1996 (P. Davey). The species is probably resident, but may be overlooked amongst populations of Scoparia ambigualis₁₃₃₄. Natural England who manages the Morden Bog SSSI should include this species in management plans, specifically for areas of wood and scrub growing in mire habitat containing good stocks of Sphagnum.

1336       Eudonia pallida (Curtis, 1827)

A widespread species in Britain found in marsh, fen and bog habitat, the larva has been reared from moss (Musci spp.) and may also feed on lichens (Usnea spp.). In Dorset, the moth was very local and resident populations were historically, restricted to the wettest habitats in the Poole Basin. However, many recent records have been from other habitats, particularly unimproved dry grassland sites on chalky soil. Abroad the species is stated to frequent meadows and woodland edges where the larva feeds on mosses, and it is possible that the warming trend has caused influxes of a strain of this species that inhabits drier biotypes on the Continent that has managed to become resident this side of the Channel. The national norm is for a single-brooded species in June and July, but in Dorset, the moth is evidently bivoltine, again possibly a reflection of the Continental strain. The weak markings, pale grey/brown ground colour and relatively narrow forewings combine to make this a relatively distinctive species.

1338       Dipleurina lacustrata (Panzer, 1804)  

A species found throughout England, Wales and southern Scotland, the larva feeding on mosses (Musci spp.) on tree trunks in open situations and on old walls. In Dorset, the moth is widespread and frequent, with no discernible ecological preference.

1340       Eudonia truncicolella (Stainton, 1849)

A woodland species in Britain, the larva feeding on terrestrial mosses (Musci spp.). In Dorset, the moth is local, and occurs in three distinct biotypes, examples follow. In deciduous woodland: Hooke Park, fifteen to MV light on 10 July 1997 (P Davey), on rocky coast: Portland, at rest on rocks on undercliff, Winspit, larvae on lichens growing on rocks (S Scarsdale-Brown), and on heathland: Higher Hyde Heath, at MV light on 15 August 1995 (Dr P Sterling).

1341       Eudonia lineola (Curtis, 1827)     Notable/Nb

A local, mainly coastal species in Britain, the larva feeding on lichens (Lichenes spp.). In Dorset, the species is restricted to the coastal belt where it is at very low density, although old records suggest colonisation inland in the past. A diary entry by Reverend E Bankes on 2 July 1900 when visiting Durlston refers to microhabitat requirements for the species: “On the top stones of the west wall of the Lighthouse field I found one or two pupae plus three or four larvae. The larvae was very abundant on the lichens on the undersides of the loose stones on top of the wall until about three years ago when, in re-making the wall, they turned all these stones upside down with the result that the insect was nearly exterminated and is still extremely scarce. The upperside lichens get too hard and dry in the sunshine.” More recently, larvae have been found on the lichen Xanthoria parietina: larval spinnings on apple and ash twigs on Portland in 1998 (Dr P Sterling). Two very late moths were trapped in mid-November 1999 at West Bexington, and in the absence of any potential for immigration, the moths are deemed to be second brood individuals.

1342       Eudonia angustea (Curtis, 1827)

A local but widely spread species across Britain, the larva feeding on mosses (Musci spp.) including Tortula spp. In Dorset, this narrow-winged moth is widespread but at low density, most often recorded from the coast, and inland in areas of habitation where roofs and walls support colonies of Tortula ruralis. Larvae have also been found by Dr P Sterling on the mosses Eurhynchium praelongum and Ceratodon purpureus on Studland Dunes. A bivoltine cycle is suggested by the data, with a small proportion of the autumn brood overwintering and re-appearing during the spring.

1343       Eudonia delunella (Stainton, 1849)     Notable/Nb

A local and declining species in England and Wales, the foodplant is unknown. In Dorset, the moth is headquartered in old oak/birch woodland, where it is locally frequent. The species is regularly found in Brackett’s Coppice, Melbury Park, Yellowham Wood, Puddletown, Rooksmoor, Piddles Wood, Oakers Wood, Woolland, Trigon, Castle Wood and Boys Wood.Elsewhere, the species has been found in chalky soil localities where ash (Fraxinus excelsior) or elm (Ulmus spp.) grow. The black square-shaped mark two-thirds along the costal edge of the forewing contrasts starkly against the white ground colour and renders this quite a distinctive species.

1344       Eudonia mercurella (Linnaeus, 1758)

A widespread species in England, Wales and southern Scotland, the larva feeding on mosses (Musci spp.) and lichens (Lichenes spp.) growing on tree trunks, rocks and walls. In Dorset, the moth is widespread and locally common, with no discernible ecological preference. The form portlandica, where the basal area on the forewing is whitish, occurs infrequently along the Dorset coast. The national norm is for a single brood in June and July, but in Dorset, the moth is also on the wing in August and into early September. Given the lack of sufficient nutrient in mosses and even less in lichens to sustain two summer generations, the moth is probably single brooded, comprising a small emergence initially followed by the main emergence. This species is similar to Dipleurina lacustrata₁₃₃₈. Diagnostics include: the absence of a pale-grey region across the central portion of the forewing.