1385       Ebulea crocealis (Hübner, 1796)   

A widespread species in southern England, local elsewhere, the larva feeding on common fleabane (Pulicaria dysentrica) and ploughman’s spikenard (Inula conyza). In Dorset, the moth colonises common fleabane in marsh and damp pasture, particularly on clay soils, for example it is abundant at Rooksmoor. It is largely absent from dry habitat, and consequently ploughman’s spikenard, a plant of dry chalky grassland, does not appear to host the species in Dorset.

1386       Opsibotys fuscalis [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775] 

A local species in Britain, the larva feeding on yellow rattle (Rhinanthus minor) and common cow-wheat (Melampyrum pratense). In Dorset, the moth is very local and occupies two biotypes. The first is mature unimproved grassland on sandy, alluvial or chalky soils, usually in well-drained situations that support yellow rattle, for example hay meadow, although much of this habitat has disappeared following widespread ploughing and reseeding. Colonies are evidently established on chalky soil on Portland, Hod Hill, Melbury Down, Zig Zag Hill, Badbury Rings and on Bottlebush Down and on sandy soil at Slepe Heath. The second biotype is old oak woodland stocked with common cow-wheat: there are old records from Bere Wood and recent records from Piddles Wood. Both host foodplants occur at Stubhampton Bottom, and, like the Grass Rivulet₁₈₀₇, which also feeds on yellow rattle, and Lead-coloured Pug, which feeds on cow-wheat, the moth is well established at this site.

1388       Udea lutealis (Hübner, 1809)   

A widespread species in Britain, the larva is polyphagous on herbaceous plants. In Dorset, the moth is common locally within tall grassland on chalky soils where it may easily be disturbed from downland plants such as greater knpaweed (Centaurea scabiosa).  Elsewhere, it is very local in damp woodland such as Melbury Park, Bracketts Coppice, Bere Wood and Arne Wood, and fen habitat at Crossways.

 1389       Udea fulvalis (Hübner, 1809)      pRDBK

A rare species, resident locally on the coasts of Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight, the larvae feeding on Labiate plants including black horehound (Ballota nigra), cat-mint (Nepata spp.) and wild clary (Salvia verbenaca). The first British record of this species was from Bournemouth in 1927. Since that time, the adult has been found at regular intervals across much of the urban sprawl of Poole and Bournemouth, and more recently Christchurch, Highcliffe and Swanage. The following records suggest that the species may be increasing its range: Wareham, at MV light on 13 July 2007 (Mrs B Young), Trigon, at MV light on 16 July 2001 (C Manley), Merley, at MV light on 27 July 2006, 30 July 2007, 2 August 2007 and two on 6 August 2007 (R Steedman), Ferndown, ten at MV light between 2005 and 2007 (R Cook, D Humphreys). An example found in Weymouth on 30 July 2002 by J MacMillan, is presumed to have been a wanderer.

1390       Udea prunalis [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775]

A common species in England and Wales, the larva is polyphagous on plants, shrubs and trees. In Dorset, the moth is widespread but most frequent from deciduous scrub habitat on chalky soils where elder (Sambucus nigra) and blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) are prevalent. It is least frequent on acid soils, although singletons have been noted from Oakers Wood, Morden Bog, Hartland Moor, Canford Heath and Arne Wood.

1392       Udea olivalis [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775]

A widespread species in England and Wales, the larva is polyphagous mainly on herbaceous plants, including woundworts (Stachys spp.), nettle (Urtica dioica), ivy (Hedera helix) and dog’s mercury (Mercurialis perennis). In Dorset, the moth is widespread, and common locally in deciduous woodland, particularly on chalky soils, but largely absent from open habitat on sandy soils across the Poole Basin.

1395       Udea ferrugalis (Hübner, 1796)  RUSTY-DOT PEARL

A regular long-range immigrant that varies in numbers from year to year, the larva is polyphagous on herbaceous plants that include woundwort (Stachys spp.), mint (Mentha spp.), hemp agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum) and currant (Ribes spp.). In Dorset, the moth has been recorded in every month of the year apart from February. In favourable years late spring immigrations spawn large indigenous broods during the late summer and autumn. These resident populations are often augmented by further waves of immigrants from the continent. Larvae have been found feeding on french honeysuckle (Hedysarum coronarium) and spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare). Three main broods are evident from the data, with a period of sixty-five days, on average, between each peak. There is no indication that the moth can survive the UK winter, however, the following examples trapped in the first three months of the year all coincided with southerly airflows from very low latitude sources: West Bexington, on 6 January 2002 (R Eden), Portland, on 12 February 2004 and on 23 January 2008 (M Cade), Preston, on 17 March 1999 (P Knight), Gillingham, on 21 March 2002 (G Hopkins).

 1396       Mecyna flavalis [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775]     pRDB2

A rare and declining species, now restricted to a few, mainly coastal, chalk downland sites across southern England, the larval foodplant is unknown. In Dorset, the moth was common very locally on unimproved chalk downland in several localities prior to the Second World War; however, these colonies disappeared as the moth’s preferred habitat was turned to arable: Lulworth and Blandford, (C Dale), Badbury Rings, plentiful (W Parkinson Curtis), Ulwell, very locally, Durlston, common near Tilly Whim on 18 July 1883, common in second field byond the lighthouse on 25 July 1885 (Reverend E Bankes). Six moths have been trapped in recent years; all, apart from the 1994 example are suspected immigrants from central or northern France: West Bexington, on 26 July 2008 (Dr P Sterling), Weymouth, on 17 August 2006 (M Forster), Portland, on 26 July 2008 (M Cade), Puddletown, on 25 July 2008 (H Wood Homer), Gaunts Common, on 30 July 1992 and on 17 July 1994 (P Davey). In addition, a fourth moth was walked up by day on the southern slope of the outer ring of Badbury Rings on 7 August 2005 (P Davey). It is hoped that this example indicates the continued presence of a colony at this site. It is recommended that the National Trust include this species in their management plans for Badbury Rings, and set grazing levels to ensure short-turf herb-rich grassland is maintained across the Rings.

 1397       Mecyna asinalis (Hübner, 1819)     Notable/Nb

A species restricted to the coasts of south-west Britain, the larva feeding on wild madder (Rubia peregrina). In Dorset, the moth is locally frequent along the coastal belt where wild madder grows among scrub on clay or chalk undercliffs. The following dispersed specimens were trapped fifteen kilometers inland from the coast coincident with southerly airflows: Puddletown, at MV light on 28 September 2001 and 11 September 2006 (H Wood Homer).

1398       Nomophila noctuella [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775] RUSH VENEER

A regular long-range immigrant whose numbers vary greatly year to year, the larva feeding on clovers (Trifolium spp.), knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare) and various grass species. In Dorset, the moth has been recorded in every month of the year, and in favourable seasons late spring immigrations spawn large indigenous broods during the late summer and the autumn. These resident populations are often augmented by further waves of immigrants from the Continent, and in favourable seasons, numbers can become staggeringly large. Three main broods are suspected with a period of fifty-two days on average, between each peak. There is no indication that the moth can survive the winter here in the UK.  

1398.1   Nomophila nearctica Munroe 1973

“A female specimen discovered in the collection of the late C.W. Mackworth-Praed, labelled Southb’r’n, 22.viii.19, is considered to have been taken by the late G. H. Heath at Southbourne-on-Sea, Hants, though label could possibly refer to Southbourne, Sussex.” Goater (1992).

1399       Dolicharthria punctalis [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775]

A very local species confined to the south coast of England, the larva feeding on dead or decaying vegetation. In Dorset, the moth is restricted to the coastal belt where it is locally frequent, particularly on cliff and undercliff habitat. The following very old record sheds some light on the microhabitat preferred by the larva along the rocky Purbeck coast: Punfield Cove to St Aldhelm's Head, rare, larvae under stones feeding on grass and moss (Reverend E Bankes). More recently, Dr P Sterling has reared one example from a larva found under a rock at Ferrybridge. The larva was feeding on decaying fescue grass.

1400       Antigastra catalaunalis (Duponchel, 1833)

A rare immigrant species, and prior to 2006, recorded from just a handful of counties in southern England, the larva feeding on toadflax (Linaria spp.) and snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus). It is resident in the tropics, sub-tropics, parts of Iberia and the Mediterranean region, and in the European part of its range it is single-brooded. In Dorset, prior to 2006 the moth had been trapped on seven occasions: West Bexington, on 1 September 1998 (Dr P Sterling), Portland, on 9 October 1995, 25 September 2000, 15 September 2008 (M Cade), Southwell, on 10 September 2005 (D Walbridge), Breston Quarries, on 1 September 2005 (Dr J Clarke), Gaunts Common, on 11 October 1995 (P Davey). However, thirty-six were seen across the county in the phenomenal migrant year of 2006 with thirteen of them recorded on 23 September; a likely source was the region of the western Mediterranean given a route flown within the boundary layer, and the region of Iberia, had they been transported between one and two kilometres above the ground.