1652       Thyatira batis (Linnaeus, 1758)     PEACH BLOSSOM

A species found throughout Britain, the larva feeding on bramble (Rubus fruticosus). In Dorset, this wonderfully-coloured moth is generally distributed but at low density, favouring woodland margins and clearings, hedges, scrubby heaths and waste ground where its foodplant is frequent.  A partial second brood occurs during August.

1653       Habrosyne pyritoides (Hufnagel, 1766)     BUFF ARCHES

A species restricted to England and Wales, the larva feeding on bramble (Rubus fruticosus). In Dorset, the moth is common throughout the county, apart from on Portland where it is infrequent.  The moth has a similar distribution to that of the Peach Blossom₁₆₅₂, but based on records received the Buff Arches is fifteen times more common.  The following singletons are likely to have been second brood individuals: West Bexington, at MV light on 8 October 1997 (R Eden),  Boys Wood, at MV light on 2 October 2003 (P Davey).

1654       Tethea ocularis (Linnaeus, 1767)     FIGURE OF EIGHTY

A species confined to England and east Wales, the larva feeding on poplar (Populus spp.).  In Dorset, the moth occurs wherever there is poplar, however, this is not a common tree and consequently the moth is generally at low density.  Singletons do frequently turn up at light traps some distance away from their foodplant, and  dispersal is suspected for many of these.  

1655       Tethea or [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775]     POPLAR LUTESTRING

A species found throughout Britain, the larva feeding on aspen (Populus tremula) and to a lesser extent other poplar (Populus spp.) species.  In Dorset, aspen is a scarce tree and despite light trapping in several localities where aspen groves are established, all but two have failed to produce the moth.  The exceptions are two adjacent woods in the far north-east of Dorset where aspen trees are scattered amongst old oak and birch woodland.  Managing a varied age structure of aspen throughout the wood could be beneficial in maintaining the species at these sites: Rye Hill Wood, at MV light on 4 June 2004 (P Davey et al), Boys Wood, at MV light on 15 June 2003 (C Manley), 15 July 2003 (P Davey). The following record refers to a locality where no poplar trees grow and dispersal or immigration is suspected: Slepe Heath, at MV on 10 June 1975 (B Withers).

1656       Tetheella  fluctuosa (Hübner, 1803)     SATIN LUTESTRING

A local species in Britain, the larva feeding on birch (Betula spp.).  Care needs to be taken in identifying the Satin Lutestring as it can be mistaken for the Common Lutestring₁₆₅₇, the main difference being two discrete spots on the forewing of the latter species. In Dorset, there are just a handful of records and all appear to have been immigrants from France: Thorncombe Wood, at MV on 15 July 1997 (I Cross), Church Ope Cove, at MV on 4 July 1975 (B Goater), Stair Hole, large female at MV on 27 July 1995 (Dr P Sterling), St Ives, at MV on 14 July 1987 and on 20 July 1988 (JHC).

1657       Ochropacha duplaris (Linnaeus, 1761)     COMMON LUTESTRING

A widespread species in Britain, the larva feeding on birch (Betula spp.), and less frequently on oak (Quercus spp.) and alder (Alnus spp.).  In Dorset, the moth tends to be most common in oak and birch woodland, particularly in old woods such as Piddles Wood, Oakers Wood and Holt Forest.  It also occurs at low density amongst birch scrub on heathland.  Away from these habitats the moth turns up only very occasionally as singletons.   

1658       Cymatophorima diluta [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775]     OAK LUTESTRING

A locally common species in southern Britain, rarer further north, the larva feeding on oak (Quercus spp.).  In Dorset, the moth is common only very locally, and very much restricted to old oak woods; away from this habitat the moth is rarely encountered.  The species, which is on the wing between late August and late September, seems to share the same habitat preferences as the Small Brindled Beauty₁₉₂₅, another very local species. Localities where it is well established include: Yellowham Wood, Rooksmoor, Piddles Wood, Oakers Wood, Boys Wood, Castle Hill Wood.

1659       Achlya  flavicornis (Linnaeus, 1758)     YELLOW HORNED

A widespread species in Britain, the larva feeding on birch (Betula spp.).  In Dorset, nearly all records of the moth come from the eastern half of the county where it is locally common in woods and on heaths that support good numbers of birch trees.  The distribution of the Yellow Horned is similar to that of the day flying Orange Underwing₁₆₆₁.  The lack of recent records from west Dorset for both species may be due to the relatively small amount of fieldwork carried out during the spring months. However, historically there is a similar dearth of records from this region, and it is likely that both species are at a lower density here than further east where birches tend to be more frequent.  The moth occasionally flies during daylight: Morden Park, female netted whilst flying around edge of birches on 1 April 1934, female flying by day on 22 March 1938 (H Andrewes).

1660       Polyploca ridens (Fabricius, 1787)     FROSTED GREEN

A locally common species in the south of England and Wales but becoming scarcer further north, the larva feeding on oak (Quercus spp.).  In Dorset, the moth is common locally, frequenting old woods and localities containing much mature oak.  Sites listed are similar to those for Oak Lutestring₁₆₅₈. The moth is observed only very occasionally away from oak-bearing habitat.