1925       Apocheima hispidaria [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775] SMALL BRINDLED BEAUTY

A species confined to England, the larva feeding on oak (Quercus spp.), and, occasionally on elm (Ulmus spp.), hazel (Corylus avellana) and sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa). The female is wingless. In Dorset the moth is local and colonises old oak woodland; mature oaks in parkland provide additional habitat.

1926       Phigalia pilosaria [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775] PALE BRINDLED BEAUTY

A frequent species in England and Wales, but more local elsewhere, the larva feeding on a various deciduous trees and shrubs. The female is wingless. In Dorset, the moth is widespread and usually common, particularly so in deciduous woodland, but it is seldom found in open country.

1927       Lycia hirtaria (Clerck, 1759) BRINDLED BEAUTY

A species occurring throughout England and Wales, but more local elsewhere, the larva feeding on a variety of deciduous tree and shrub species. In Dorset, the moth is widespread but rarely common. There is no indication of any favoured habitat from the records available. The larva has been found feeding on sallow (Salix spp.) in Hurn Forest.

1930       Biston strataria (Hufnagel, 1767) OAK BEAUTY

A common species in England and Wales, more local elsewhere, the larva feeding on oak (Quercus spp.), elm (Ulmus spp.), hazel (Corylus avellana), aspen (Populus tremula), alder (Alnus spp.) and a variety of other deciduous tree species. In Dorset, the moth is common in mature oak woodland and frequent in deciduous woods generally. The moth is occasionally recorded in open country.

1931       Biston betularia (Linnaeus, 1758) PEPPERED

A common species in England and Wales, but more local in Scotland, the larva feeding on a wide variety of deciduous tree and shrub species, and occasionally recorded on plants. In Dorset, the moth is widespread and common, especially in deciduous woodland. The moth is least common in open country. The Peppered moth is arguably the most famous insect in the world, achieving iconic status as the proof of natural selection at work, and appearing in many biology textbooks to this day. A major part of the original Peppered moth research, undertaken by Bernard Kettlewell, was carried out at Dean End on the Cranborne Chase in 1955. The black form, ab carbonaria, was first noticed in the industrial midlands about 1850 and more widely thereafter in towns and cities across the country. Today, the ‘black’ Peppered remains the dominant form throughout the industrial north, and elsewhere as a variable proportion of the population. Approximately four hundred and sixty-five Peppereds were trapped at Arne Wood between 1974 and 1995 by B Pickess who noted instances of ab carbonaria. Analysis of these records indicates that the number of ab carbonaria steadily declined from twenty percent to less than five percent of the total population (red line), and that overall Peppered moth numbers fell from an average of four per night to less than two over the twenty year period (grey line - normal form - plus black line - ab carbonaria).

1932       Agriopis leucophaearia [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775] SPRING USHER

A frequent species in England and Wales, but local in Scotland, the larva feeding on oak (Quercus spp.) and occasionally apple (Malus spp.). The female is wingless. In Dorset, the moth occurs wherever oak grows, and is occasionally abundant in old oak woodland, see record below: Holt Forest, 120 at MV light on 26 January 2003 (P Davey). The Spring Usher is very variable with an enormous range in colour, shade and markings.

1933       Agriopis aurantiaria (Hübner, 1799) SCARCE UMBER

A frequently occurring species in England and Wales, but local elsewhere, the larva feeding on a variety of deciduous tree and shrub species. The female has very rudimentary wings. In Dorset, records of this species are few; admittedly trapping is rarely undertaken from mid-November onwards, but it is far more scarce than the Mottled Umber₁₉₃₅. Overall, it seems to be locally frequent in deciduous woodland and among scrub on chalky soil.

1934       Agriopis marginaria (Fabricius, 1777) DOTTED BORDER

A common species in Britain, the larva feeding on a variety of deciduous tree and shrub species. The female has rudimentary wings. In Dorset, the moth is widespread and frequent rising to common in deciduous woodland, with a relatively protracted three-month flight period.

1935       Erannis defoliaria (Clerck, 1759) MOTTLED UMBER

A common species in southern Britain, less so further north, the larva feeding on a variety of deciduous tree and shrub species. The female is wingless. In Dorset, this highly variable moth is widespread and common, particularly so in deciduous woodland. It has not been noted as a pest species recently, but in the middle of the last century the moth was said to have been “often destructively abundant, not only in the woods, but on occasion in town gardens” (W Parkinson Curtis ms). The much larger quantity of old oak and birch woodland across the region probably provided ideal conditions for the large populations reported at the time.

1936       Menophra abruptaria (Thunberg, 1792) WAVED UMBER

A frequent species across England and Wales, but local elsewhere, the larva feeding on lilac (Syringa vulgaris) and privet (Ligustrum spp.) in non-rural locations. In Dorset, the moth is frequently seen in suburbia where lilac is grown in gardens and garden privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium) is used in hedges. Away from towns, the moth is frequent on calcareous clay soil and chalky soil where it probably feeds on ash (Fraxinus spp.) and privet, both native Oleaceae plant species. Elsewhere, the moth is seldom seen.

1937       Peribatodes rhomboidaria [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775] WILLOW BEAUTY

A common species in Britain, apart from in the north of Scotland where it is local, the larva feeding on a wide variety of evergreen and deciduous tree and shrub species. In Dorset, the moth is ubiquitous and usually common, sometimes abundant, and least common on open heathland. The caterpillar will eat almost any plant species. The national norm is for a single brood between late June and August with an occasional second brood in September. In Dorset, the prolonged flight period between late May and late October probably comprises two brood cycles; a single brood in mid summer and a double brood with peaks in mid-June and mid-September.

1938       Selidosema brunnearia (Villers, 1789) BORDERED GREY      Notable/Na

A local species in Britain, the larva feeding on heather (Calluna vulgaris) and bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). In Dorset, the moth is local, declining, and almost exclusively confined to heathland on sandy soil, occupying dry heath habitat where heather carpets the ground. The moth may occasionally be flushed from itsr esting-place during the day, especially in sunny conditions. Although the moth used to occur regularly throughout the birch-heather terrain, it is now very local and at low density, although the few recent records indicate that it is still present on many heathland blocks across the Poole Basin. Localities include Winfrith Heath, West Holme Heath, Lower Hyde Heath, Decoy Heath, Stoborough Heath, Middlebere Heath, Slepe Heath, Arne, Canford Heath, Holt Heath, Ferndown Common, Parley Common and Avon Heath. The moth has also been observed in the past in areas where there is no heather, and the following records suggest an alternative grassland biotype for the species: Portland, (J Ross, per Dale), Burning Cliff, (Dale), Durdle Door, at MV light on 19 and 23 August 1971 (D Brown), Bindon Hill, freely in the grass (M Mansfield). The recommendation for conservation agencies that manage heathland sites is to include this species in management plans and maintain a vibrant mosaic of different-aged heather communities on dry heathland blocks for it. 

1939       Cleora cinctaria [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775] RINGED CARPET     Notable/Na

A local species in Britain, the larva feeding on birch (Betula spp.), bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), bog myrtle (Myrica gale), and heather (Erica spp.). In Dorset, the moth is common very locally in situations where bog myrtle occurs, chiefly in alder-swamps, bogs and marshes on sandy soil across the Poole basin. The moth may occasionally be found at rest on the trunks of isolated heathland birches or pines. Much of the moth’s wetland habitat falls within existing conservation areas; it is recommended that this species be included in management plans for mire habitat containing bog myrtle. The following light trap records are of singletons encountered well away from core habitat suggest occasional short-range dispersal: Bere Wood, on 11 April 1977 (BW), Shapwick, on 7 May 2000 (P Davey), Ashington, on 12 May 1990 (J Fradgley), Wimborne, on 19 April 1985 (M Brooks), Brownsea Island, on 27 April 1967 (A Bromby).

1940       Deileptenia ribeata (Clerck, 1759) SATIN BEAUTY

A locally frequent species in England, Wales and southern Scotland but scarce elsewhere, the larva feeding on yew (Taxus baccata), norway spruce (Picea abies), douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), pine (Pinus spp.), oak (Quercus spp.) and birch (Betula spp.). In Dorset, the moth is common very locally in mixed woodland  containing norway spruce or douglas fir. The moth has been noted in very small numbers in ‘pure’ oak woodland where there is negligible conifer, such as Yellowham Wood, Piddles Wood and Holt Forest. The following light trap records refer to singletons trapped well away from woodland habitat, suggesting occasional medium-range dispersal: Walditch, on 12 July 2002 (M Parsons), West Bexington, on 6 August 1997 (R Eden), Shapwick, on 27 July 2002 (P Davey), Durlston, on 29 July 2004 (C Manley).

1941       Alcis repandata (Linnaeus, 1758) MOTTLED BEAUTY

A common species over much of Britain, the larva feeding on a wide variety of deciduous tree, shrub and plant species. In Dorset, the moth is common in deciduous woodland and scarce away from the shelter of such habitat - the species has yet to be trapped on Portland. A small percentage of Mottled Beauty has the central area of the forewing and the hindwing as a contrasting broad dark band; this striking form is called ab. conversaria. 

1942       Alcis jubata (Thunberg, 1788) DOTTED CARPET

A local species confined to western Britain, the larva feeding on beard lichen (Usnea barbata). In Dorset, the moth has been recorded once from oak woodland habitat: Cranborne Chase, 30 July 1938 (H Andrewes). No more was heard of the species until one was trapped twenty years later: Melbury Park, at MV light on 19 August 1995 (Dr P Sterling). The site lies some one hundred and fifty metres above mean sea level; this elevated position and associated high humidities provide ideal conditions for lichens (Usnea spp.), including beard lichen, to festoon the mature oak trees there.

The following examples trapped at light, are likely to have been immigrants from central or eastern France: Parkstone, on 1 August 1983 (Reverend S Pittis), West Bexington 19 July 2006 (R Eden).

1943       Boarmia roboraria [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775] GREAT OAK BEAUTY      Notable/Nb

A local species restricted to southern Britain, the larva feeding on oak (Quercus spp.). In Dorset, the only site where this species was found historically was Bere Wood, a site that used to contain many acres of old oak tree habitat, before the oaks were replaced with conifers and larch (Larix spp.) in the 1960s. However, old oak woodland in the northern half of the county has yielded singletons in recent years, indicating the presence of colonies: Powerstock Common, Piddles Wood, Holt Wood, Chase Woods, Castle Hill Woods. It is just possible that the species is increasing its range of late in a similar way to two other oak woodland rarities, Elegia similella₁₄₄₉ and Scarce Merveille du Jour₂₂₇₇. Managing a varied age structure of oak trees at Powerstock Common, Piddles Wood, Holt Wood, Chase Woods and Castle Hill Woods could be beneficial to maintaining this species at these sites. Care is needed to identify this species correctly as it resembles the Pale Oak Beauty₁₉₄₄. Diagnostics include: the presence of a dark patch close to the apex on the underside of the forewing upon which there is a pale mark.

                                                                                                                   Underside

1944       Boarmia punctinalis (Scopoli, 1763) PALE OAK BEAUTY

A local species limited to southern Britain, the larva feeding on oak (Quercus spp.) and occasionally birch (Betula spp.), sallow (Salix spp.) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus). In Dorset, the moth is local and tends to be confined to old oak and birch woodland, favouring open, well-lit situations. Whitesheet Plantation is a good locality for the moth; here the habitat is again open but with plantation birch and sallow predominating.

1945       Cleorodes lichenaria (Hufnagel, 1767) BRUSSELS LACE

A frequent species confined to south-west Britain, rare elsewhere, the larva feeding on lichens (Usnea spp.) growing on oak (Quercus spp.), on hawthorn (Crateagus spp.), on field maple (Acer campestris), on blackthorn (Prunus spp.) and on rocks. In Dorset, the moth is widespread and often common in deciduous woodland and amongst scrub, particularly in the west of the county where lichen density is greater in a slightly more humid climate. Elsewhere, it is frequent only locally. Second brood individuals are occasionally recorded in the autumn following warmer than average summers: 1995, 2003, 2006.

1947       Ectropis bistortata (Goeze, 1781) ENGRAILED

A common species in England and Wales, more local in Scotland, the larva feeding on a variety of deciduous tree and shrub species. In Dorset, the moth is common in deciduous woodland and occasional to frequent elsewhere. There are no records of the species being trapped on Portland to date. The peak of the second brood is nearly three times larger than that of the first. The national norm is for two generations in southern Britain, but in Dorset, occasional third generation moths are observed during the autumn. The period between each brood peak is roughly one hundred and twelve days.

1948       Ectropis crepuscularia [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775] SMALL ENGRAILED

A local species in England and Wales, the larva feeding on birch (Betula spp.), sallow (Salix spp.), larch (Larix spp.), beech (Fagus spp.), and various other deciduous tree and shrub species. In Dorset, the moth is local and tends to be confined to deciduous woodland containing birch and sallow in the eastern half of the county. Debate surrounds the possibility that this species is merely a form of the Engrailed₁₉₄₇, indeed Ectropis crepuscularia is not recognised as a distinct species on the Continent. Structurally there is no difference between the two, but externally, the ground colour is usually much whiter in this species.

1949       Paradarsia consonaria (Hübner, 1799) SQUARE SPOT

A local species limited to England and Wales, the larva feeding on birch (Betula spp.), beech (Fagus spp.), oak (Quercus spp.), pine (Pinus spp.), yew (Taxus baccata) and a variety of other tree species. In Dorset, the moth is local, at low density, but widespread, and tends to occur in similar mixed woodland habitat to that colonised by Satin Beauty₁₉₄₀.                                                                                                                                    

1950       Parectropis similaria (Hufnagel, 1767) BRINDLED WHITE-SPOT

A local species restricted to southern England and Wales, the larva feeding on oak (Quercus spp.), birch (Betula spp.) and occasionally lime (Tilia spp.). In Dorset, the moth is local, at low density, and primarily associated with mature birch and oak woodland.

1951       Aethalura punctulata [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775] GREY BIRCH

A species found widely across much of England and Wales, but more local in Scotland, the larva feeding on birch (Betula spp.) and occasionally alder (Alnus spp.). In Dorset, the moth is local, at low density, and, with one exception, associated with mature birch woodland. The exception is Powerstock Common where the dominant tree is alder, and probably hosts the insect. The moth is roughly twice as numerous as the Brindled White-spot₁₉₅₀, a species that it is often seen with at light traps.