1994       Phalera bucephala (Linnaeus, 1758) BUFF-TIP

A widespread species in Britain, the larva feeding on various deciduous trees and shrubs. The moth uses its ‘wood-chipping’ markings, colouration and shape to good effect to camouflage itself from potential prey. In Dorset, the moth is common apart from on Portland where it is rare. The national norm is for a single brood in June and July, but with adults on the wing over a protracted period between early May and late August, an overlapping bivoltine cycle is suspected in Dorset with the peak of the first generation at the end of May and the second generation peak in mid-July. The following individual was trapped at a very late date: Gaunts Common, at MV light on 17 October 1995 (P Davey).

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1995       Cerura vinula (Linnaeus, 1758) PUSS

A species found throughout Britain, the larva feeding on sallow and willow (Salix spp.) and poplar (Populus spp.).  In Dorset, the moth is widespread but at low density across the county. The larva shares the same foodplants as those of the Poplar Hawk₁₉₈₁ but it is observed far less frequently. The following individuals were trapped on late dates, and suggest a very occasional second brood: West Bexington, at MV on 22 July 1996 and 9 August 1997 (R Eden).

1996       Furcula bicuspis (Borkhausen, 1790) ALDER KITTEN

A local single-brooded species restricted to southern Britain, the larva feeding on birch (Betulae spp.) and alder (Alnus glutinosa). In Dorset, colonies of the moth have been found in four sites to date: Chedington Woods, Hooke Park, Melbury Park and Yellowham Wood. Each of these sites contains damp areas hosting groves of old alder trees within woodland. There have several records relating to presumed dispersive moths: West Bexington, on 12 June 2006, Iwerne Minster, on 27 May 1964.

1997       Furcula furcula (Clerck, 1759) SALLOW KITTEN

A species found throughout Britain, the larva feeding on sallow and willow (Salix spp.) and poplar (Populus spp.). In Dorset, the moth is widespread and occurs in the same range of habitats as the Puss₁₉₉₅, where it is marginally more common. The national norm is for a double brood in England and a single brood in Scotland. In Dorset, relatively high numbers between the respective brood peaks in late-May and early August suggest an additional univoltine cycle. The peak of the second brood is, on average, six times larger than the peak of the first brood.

1998       Furcula bifida (Brahm, 1787) POPLAR KITTEN

A widespread but declining species across England and Wales, the larva feeding on poplar (Populus spp.). In Dorset, the moth is local and most often found in mature poplar plantations, in woods containing aspen and in towns where poplars have been planted in streets or in parks. This situation contrasts with the following observation penned more than forty years ago. “I think it is safe to assert that practically every poplar of any age in the county will be found to bear empty cocoons.” (W Parkinson Curtis ms). In 2003, Poplar Kittens appeared widely at light traps across Dorset over a four day period, concurrent with a notable immigration from northern Europe: Upwey, on 1 June 2003 (P Harris), Preston, on 31 May 2003 (M Forster), Puddletown, on 2 June 2003 (H Wood Homer), Wool, on 29 May 2003 (D Cooper), Birches Copse, on 2 June 2003 (P Davey). The Poplar Kitten resembles the Sallow Kitten₁₉₉₈, and care is needed in identifying this species correctly. Diagnostics include: a larger species; its single brood status means that it is unlikely to be on the wing from early July onwards; outer edge of blue-grey central band tends to be a smooth curve bounded by a well-marked black line.   

1999       Stauropus fagi (Linnaeus, 1758) LOBSTER

A species found in southern districts of England and Wales, the larva feeding on beech (Fagus sylvatica), oak (Quercus spp.), birch (Betulae spp.) and hazel (Corylus avellana). In Dorset, the moth is common in woodland where its host plants abound, but becomes more rare the further one travels away from deciduous tree habitat.The bizarre larva has very occasionally been located in the county. The following record refers to an example found on holm oak (Quercus ilex): Durlston, final instar larva on 16 September 2006 (P Davey).

2000       Notodonta dromedarius (Linnaeus, 1767) IRON PROMINENT

A species occurring throughout Britain, the larva feeding on alder (Alnus glutinosa), oak (Quercus spp.), birch (Betulae spp.) and hazel (Corylus avellana). In Dorset, the moth is primarily a denizen of old oak/birch woodland and birch on heathland, and in these habitats it is frequent. It is infrequent elsewhere and becomes rather rare in open tree-less habitat. The national norm is a single brood in northern Britain in June and July, and a double brood in the south. In Dorset, the flight period covers four months. This is suspected of comprising a single brood with a peak in early July, plus a double brood with peaks in mid-May and early August. In this latter cycle, the peak of the second brood is on average, two times larger than the peak of the first brood.

2003       Notodonta ziczac (Linnaeus, 1758) PEBBLE PROMINENT

A widespread species across Britain, the larva feeding on sallow and willow (Salix spp.) and poplar (Populus spp.). In Dorset, the moth is widespread across the county and frequent, particularly so in damp situations, but infrequent in open ground where sallow is scarce such as on dry chalky grassland. The peak of the second brood is on average, two times larger than the peak of the first brood.

2005       Peridea anceps (Goeze, 1781) GREAT PROMINENT

A species widely distributed across southern England but local elsewhere, the larva feeding on oak (Quercus spp.). In Dorset, the moth is confined to oak woodland where it is common; elsewhere it is rare or absent. A very late (or very early) example follows: Garston Wood, at MV light on 8 November 1983 (Miss E Samuel).

2006       Pheosia gnoma (Fabricius, 1777) LESSER SWALLOW PROMINENT

A widespread species across Britain, the larva feeding on birch (Betulae spp.). In Dorset, the moth is common in birch woodland and locally abundant, particularly so amongst birch growing on sandy soils. The species resembles the Swallow Prominent₂₀₀₇, and care is needed in identifying each correctly.

2007       Pheosia tremula (Clerck, 1759) SWALLOW PROMINENT

A widespread species across Britain, the larva feeding on sallow and willow (Salix spp.) and poplar (Populus spp.). In Dorset, the moth is widespread across the county and frequent in damp areas where sallow occurs, rising to common where poplars grow; the moth tends to be rare where the host foodplants are absent.

2008       Ptilodon capucina (Linnaeus, 1758) COXCOMB PROMINENT

A species that occurs widely across Britain, the larva feeding on a wide range of deciduous trees. In Dorset, the moth is a widespread species and ranges from frequent in deciduous woodland, particularly alder and birch woodland, to rare in open, tree-less habitat. It appears to be at a marginally lower density than the other regular, deciduous-woodland Prominent species.

2009       Ptilodon cucullina [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775] MAPLE PROMINENT

Apart from a few localities elsewhere in southern Britain, a species that is very much confined to the calcareous soils of south-east England, the larva feeding on field maple (Acer campestre). There is just one old record from Dorset, and its absence from suitable maple-rich habitat on chalky soils, especially in the north-east of the county is puzzling: Rempstone, in May 1926 (H Michaelis).

2010       Odontosia carmelita (Esper, 1799) SCARCE PROMINENT

A local species in Britain, occurring most often in southern England, with a few outlying colonies elsewhere in Britain, the larva feeding on birch (Betulae spp.). In Dorset, the moth is local and at low density, occurring most widely in sandy localities that support birch. The Scarce Prominent also occurs in old oak and birch woodland on clay and chalky soils in the north-east of the county.

2011       Pterostoma palpina (Clerck, 1759) PALE PROMINENT

A species that is widespread in England and Wales, but local in Scotland, the larva feeding on sallow and willow (Salix spp.) and poplar (Populus spp.). In Dorset, the moth is common in damp areas where sallow abounds, and becomes less common as habitats become drier. The peak of the second brood is, on average, more than twice as large as the peak of the first brood.

2012       Leucodonta bicoloria [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775] WHITE PROMINENT     RDB1

An extinct resident in England, located at Burnt Wood in Staffordshire in the 1860s, and in Devon, near Exeter in 1880, the larva feeding on birch (Betula spp.). It is restricted to south-west Ireland where, prior to 2007, it was last recorded from County Kerry and County Killarney in May 1938. However, seven examples were found in mature birch woodland in a single locality in County Kerry in 2008. “As to a possible Dorset specimen see H Symes, Ent Rec 69:215” (W Parkinson Curtis ms).

2013       Ptilophora plumigera [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775] PLUMED PROMINENT     Notable/Na

A very local species confined to south-east England, the larva feeding on field maple (Acer campestre). The moth is only known to occur in Chase Woods at the present time where large numbers of mature field maple trees grow on chalky soil, and in this locality it is frequent. Forty year-old records exist from Iwerne Minster, before the deciduous woodland in the area was replaced with conifer plantation in response to government incentives. The only other site where the moth has been found is Garston Wood, located a few miles to the east of Chase Woods. Coppicing within this wood carried out by the RSPB during the 1990s, reduced stocks of mature maple trees, and despite intensive light trapping in recent years, no further moths have been detected. Mature maple woodland appears to be a primary requirement for the moth, and further reduction in old woodland containing mature field maple trees in north-east Dorset will undoubtedly endanger this species further. Research to locate further colonies at Garston Wood is recommended plus the implementation of dedicated management plans for the species at Chase Woods.

2014       Drymonia dodonaea [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775] MARBLED BROWN

A species found across England and Wales, and locally in western Scotland, the larva feeding on oak (Quercus spp.). In Dorset, the moth is confined to oak woodland where it is common; away from deciduous woodland the moth is rare.

2015       Drymonia ruficornis (Hufnagel, 1766) LUNAR MARBLED BROWN

A widespread species in southern England and Wales, but more local further north, the larva feeding on oak (Quercus spp.). In Dorset, the Lunar Marbled Brown shares the same habitat type, distribution and density as that of the Marbled Brown₂₀₁₄.

2017       Clostera pigra (Hufnagel, 1766) SMALL CHOCOLATE-TIP      Notable/Nb

A local double-brooded species found in scattered localities across Britain, the larva feeding on sallow and willow (Salix spp.) and aspen (Populus tremula). In Dorset, the moth is frequent very locally on the damp heaths within the Poole Basin, from Winfrith Heath in the west to Parley Common in the east. Within its wetland habitat it tends to be associated with small-leaved sallow species such as creeping sallow (Salix repens), eared willow (Salix aurita) and dwarf sallow (Salix herbacea).

2018       Clostera anachoreta (Denis & Schiffermüller 1775) SCARCE CHOCOLATE-TIP     RDB1

A transitory resident, surviving at Dungeness since 1979 and occurring in south-east Kent prior to 1912, the larva feeds on sallow and willow (Salix spp.) and poplar (Populus spp.). In Dorset, the species has been recorded on two occasions. As for the 1909 record, “No explanation of this record occurs to me.” (WPC). The Studland individual was trapped beneath a grove of white poplar (Populus alba), and close to woodland containing many aspen (Populus tremula) trees. The status of the species inDorset is that of a rare immigrant and transitory resident: Canford Cliffs, ova on sallow on 14 May 1909, moths bred (A Hedges; Ent Gaz 12:252), Studland, at MV light on 29 July 2003 (Ms A Peters). The Scarce Chocolate-tip occurs throughout mainland Europe apart from Iberia, Holland and Norway.

2019       Clostera curtula (Linnaeus, 1758) CHOCOLATE-TIP

A widespread species in southern and eastern England, the larva feeding on poplar (Populus spp.) and sallow and willow (Salix spp.). In Dorset, the moth is at low density, but appears to be most frequent in poplar-rich river habitat, and also in sallow scrub lagoon and fen habitat. The moth is also found within woodland where aspens grow, for example, Fifehead Wood, Boys Wood and Castle Hill Wood. The moth is rarely noted elsewhere, and this includes sallow-rich habitat on heathland. The peak of the first brood is, on average, twice as large as that of the second brood.

2020       Diloba caeruleocephala (Linnaeus, 1758) FIGURE OF EIGHT

A widespread species in England and east Wales, local elsewhere, the larva feeding on plum, blackthorn, cherry (Prunus spp.) and apple (Malus spp.). In Dorset, the moth has a patchy distribution and ranges from largely absent on heathland to locally common on clay and chalky soils where blackthorn is frequent.