1402       Diasemia reticularis (Linnaeus, 1761)

A rare immigrant species, also a transitory resident in southern Britain during the nineteenth century, the larva feeding on plantain (Plantago spp.), chickory (Cichorium intybus), oxtongues (Picris spp.) and hawkweeds (Hieracium spp.). The species is double-brooded in Europe, frequenting dry, open situations; it also occurs in the tropics and sub-tropics. In Dorset, the moth has been recorded on four occasions: Durlston, two by day on undercliff on 3 June 1885 (Reverend E Bankes), Christchurch, at light in 1904 (Major R Robertson), Yellowham Wood, on 4 August 1947 (A Russell), West Bexington, at MV light on 26 July 1998 (R Eden). There was limited opportunity for immigration from abroad at the time of the 1998 event, but relatively large influxes of both Tebenna micalis₃₈₆ and the Small Marbled₂₄₀₈ in June that year produced resident colonies of these two very rare immigrant species along the coastal belt during mid-summer.

1403       Diasemiopsis ramburialis (Duponchel, 1834)

A rare immigrant species that is resident in the Mediterranean region and in southern Europe where it is double brooded, and found also in the tropics and sub-tropics; the larval foodplant is unknown. In Dorset, twenty-one moths have been seen on thirteen occasions, mainly at light traps: West Bexington, on 5 September 2003, 25 July 2006, 11 October 2006 (R Eden), Portland, by day on 4 July 1889 (Reverend C Digby), on 6 October 2002, 17 August 2003, 19 September 2003, on 24 and 25 July 2006, 13 October 2006 (M Cade), Broadwey, 12 October 2006 (P Harris), Winfrith Heath, walked-up by day on 4 June 2002 (M Forster), Thorncombe, two on 3 September 1961 (J Bradley), Puddletown, on 10 October 2006 (H Wood Homer), Gaunts Common, at MV light on 19 September 1998 (P Davey), Studland, at MV light on 27 October 1987 (D Brown), at MV light on 13 October 2006 (C Manley), Bournemouth, male on 26 August 1950 (S Scarsdale Brown).

1403.1   Duponchelia fovealis (Zeller, 1847)

This species was first recorded in Britain in Norfolk in 1996, in Essex the following year, and in Cornwall, Cheshire, West Midlands, Norfolk and Hampshire during 1999. All UK records have been associated directly or indirectly with nursery plants. The species is resident in the Mediterranean region where the larva is polyphagous feeding on the stems, leaves and flowers of plants. It was first noted in northern Europe in 1984, and is now a widespread pest of protected crops. There are two Dorset records: Milton-on-Stour, at MV light on 17 May 2000 (J Burge), Weymouth, 5 September 2006 (Dr P Sterling). Airflows were established from the region of the Mediterranean on 15 May 2000, and from Iberia and southern France on 5 September 2006, respectively.

1404       Spoladea recurvalis (Fabricius, 1775)

A rare immigrant to southern England, first recorded in 1951 in Surrey, and resident in the tropics where it is a pest species on beet (Beta spp.) crops; the larva also feeds on goosefoots (Chenopodia spp.) and pigweeds (Amaranthus spp.).  In Dorset, eleven moths have been seen, all at light traps: Eype’s Mouth, on 13 October 2008, Portland, on 10 and 11 October 1995, 10 and 26 October 2006 (M Cade), Puddletown, on 17 October 2006 (H Wood Homer), Scar Bank, on 7 September 1951 (A Russell), Durlston, three on 28 October 2006 (P Davey, Dr J Clarke), West Blagdon, on 17 October 2006 (D Green). All dates coincided with mainly southerly airflows originating from regions south of 35ºN.

1405       Pleuroptya ruralis (Scopoli, 1763)  MOTHER OF PEARL

A widespread species in Britain, the larva feeding on nettle (Urtica dioica). In Dorset, the moth is widespread and locally common, but at low density in open heathland across the Poole Basin where nettle is scarce. The national norm is for a single brood in July and August, and this holds true for Dorset, but the following records suggest an occasional second brood (there are two generations abroad): Walditch, at MV light on 10 October 2002 (M Parsons); Hooke Park, atMV light on 18 May 1997, 7 June 1998 (M Spencer et al), Wool, at MV light on 29 September 2002 (D Cooper), Shaggs, at MV light on 6 June 2002 (Butterfly Conservation).

1408       Palpita vitrealis (Rossi, 1794)

An infrequent immigrant to the coastal counties of southern England, the larva feeding on Oleaceae plants including jasmines (Jasminum spp.), privets (Ligustrum spp.) and olive (Olea europaea), also on strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) in its southern Europe and Mediterranean haunts. In Dorset this unmistakable and handsome moth has been recorded in nineteen of the past twenty-one years in varying but usually in small numbers, although one hundred and twenty were seen in 2006 and in one case, egg-laying was observed: Preston, female observed ovipositing on Ligustrum ovalifolium on 16 September 2006 (M Forster). The data suggests a bivoltine cycle abroad but with a significantly larger population of second brood examples observed during the autumn.

1410       Agrotera nemoralis (Scopoli, 1763)

A rare and decreasing species, restricted to deciduous woods in south-east England containing hornbeam (Carpinus betulus). In Dorset, the moth has been seen on just one occasion coincident with a south-easterly airflow; northern France is a likely source for this example: West Bexington, at MV light on 24 June 2008 (R Eden).

1413       Hypsopygia costalis (Fabricius, 1775)  GOLD TRIANGLE

A locally common species in England, the larva feeding on hay, thatch and dried leaf litter. In Dorset, the moth is widespread but at low density, rising to common, locally, in old oak woodland such as Bracketts Coppice, Holt Forest and Arne Wood, and on thatched buildings. The national norm is for a single brood in July and August, but in Dorset, a bivoltine cycle is evident with the first brood between mid-June and early August and a second brood between early September and late October. The summer generation is eight times larger, on average, than that in the autumn. There are two generations abroad.

 1414       Synaphe punctalis (Fabricius, 1775)      Notable/Nb

A species confined to the coastal counties in southern England, the larva feeding on terrestrial mosses (Musci spp.). In Dorset, the moth occupies two biotypes. The first is on sandy soils across the Poole Basin, where it is locally abundant. The second is the coastal belt as far west as, and including, Chesil Beach, where it is usually at low density; one notable exception is the chalk cliffs to the east of Studland where it is abundant. A host moss, Dicranum scoparium, discovered by Dr P Sterling to be the principle foodplant on the heaths of south-east Dorset, is common on acid soils and in leached grassland on chalk summits within the county: Merritown Heath, many larvae on Dicranum scoparium on 8 May 1998 (Dr P Sterling).

1415       Orthopygia glaucinalis (Linnaeus, 1758)

A local species in southern Britain, the larva feeding on decomposing plant material and refuse. In Dorset, the moth occurs widely, but usually is only observed as singletons in deciduous woodland, on farms, on thatched buildings and in sea cliff localities where nesting birds are frequent, such as at Durlston. Immigration may account for some of the records, but the widespread nature of the moth across the county makes research difficult. The national norm is for a single brood in July and August, but in Dorset, a bivoltine cycle is evident with a small partial second brood in October.

1416       Pyralis lienigialis (Zeller 1843)

A rare species restricted to central England, the larva feeding on mouldy barley, and probably on hay and other vegetable refuse in farm buildings or stored products in rooms of houses. The following singleton is the only record from Dorset, and coincided with intense migrant activity from the continent that included the only county record of Melissoblaptes zelleri₁₄₂₉, and followed several days of hot south-easterly airflows from central and southern Europe: Wyke Regis, at MV light on 17 July 2003 (D Foot).

1417       Pyralis farinalis (Linnaeus, 1758)  MEAL MOTH

A widespread species in Britain but seldom recorded away from grain stores, the larva feeding on stored cereals and cereal refuse, tending to thrive in the warmest parts of buildings. In Dorset, the moth is widespread but encountered only very occasionally at light traps. Running light traps in mid-summer on old-fashioned in unkempt farm buildings that store cereal products, may well uncover thriving colonies of this species.

1421       Aglossa pinguinalis (Linnaeus, 1758)  LARGE TABBY

A widely distributed but declining species, the larva feeding on the refuse of cereals, dried seeds, husks of grasses and other vegetable rubbish, occasionally taking two years to develop. In Dorset, this large pyralid moth has declined due to the demise of old-style farms, but although it is very local, colonies evidently persist in areas of habitation both in the vicinity of farm buildings and food storage areas in towns: Weymouth, a freshly emerged female on the automatic teller machine outside Safeways supermarket on 10 June 2000 (Dr P Sterling). Many records are of moths seen inside houses.

1424       Endotricha flammealis [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775]

A local species across southern England and Wales, the larva is polyphagous on plants and colonises leaf litter. In Dorset, the moth occurs in three main biotypes. The first is on open heathland where it is usually common, and locally abundant. The second is in mature and derelict deciduous woodland with deep oak leaf litter where it also locally abundant The third habitat is in coastal towns where it is occasionally frequent and where the larva has been found in leaf litter beneath lawson’s cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana). The national norm is for a single brood in July and August, but in Dorset the moth is bivoltine in some years with a partial second brood at the end of September.