2075       Meganola strigula (Denis & Schiffermüller 1775)     SMALL BLACK ARCHES      Notable/Na

A local and decreasing species confined to southern Britain, the larva feeding on oak (Quercus spp.).  In Dorset, the moth is very local and chiefly restricted to old oak woods in the north and north-east of the county, often occurring in the vicinity of the largest oaks in the wood. Managing a varied age structure of oak in Piddles Wood, Holt Forest, Boys Wood and Castle Hill Wood would be beneficial to maintaining existing colonies of this species.

2076       Meganola albula (Denis & Schiffermüller 1775)     KENT BLACK ARCHES     Notable/Nb

A species occurring mainly along the coasts of southern England, and inland in Hampshire, Berkshire and Surrey, the larva feeding on dewberry (Rubus caesius), raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and strawberry (Fragaria spp.).  In Dorset, until recently this species was restricted to the coastal fringe among bramble (Rubus fruticosus) and dewberry where it was at low density; it was rarely observed more than five kilometres from the coastal belt. Since 2001, the species has spread across the county and now appears to have colonised calcareous grassland stes and heathland sites containing good stocks of bramble. A partial second brood has been recorded at light traps following warm summers: West Bexington, on 26 September 2003 (R Eden), Portland, on 12 October 1995 (M Cade), Weymouth, 28 September 2001 (Dr P Sterling), Coldharbour, on 9 October 2006 (B Withers), Hurn, on 28 September 1999 (M Jeffes).

2077       Nola cucullatella (Linnaeus, 1758)     SHORT-CLOAKED MOTH

A species occurring in England and Wales, the larva feeding on hawthorn (Crataegus spp.), blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), plum (Prunus spp.), apple (Malus spp.) and pear (Pyrus spp.).  In Dorset, the moth is locally common in coastal localities where blackthorn thickets grow.  Inland, the moth is local and at low density, and is chiefly associated with blackthorn and hawthorn scrub; it also occurs in town gardens and orchards where fruit trees have been planted. 

2078       Nola confusalis [Herrich-Schäffer, 1847]     LEAST BLACK ARCHES

A local species in Britain, the larva feeding on lime (Tiliae spp.), oak (Quercus spp.), and evergreen oak (Quercus ilex).  In Dorset, the moth is local and occurs in old deciduous woodland containing oak and small-leaved lime (Tiliae cordata), and in coastal localities where evergreen oak (Quercus ilex) grows, for example in Poole, Bournemouth and at Durlston.  The moth is frequent at West Bexington where none of its stated foodplants grow, and in this locality blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) is a potential host food plant.

2079       Nola aerugula (Hübner, 1793)     SCARCE BLACK ARCHES

A scarce migrant species recorded on only a few occasions in coastal localities in south-east England, and, between 1850 and 1890, a transitory resident in Kent, the larva feeding on common bird's-foot-trefoil  (Lotus corniculatus) and clover (Trifolium spp.).  The species occurs throughout mainland Europe except north-west France and Iberia.  In Dorset, the moth has been seen on one occasion and, given the light easterly airflow at the time of capture, is likely to have been an immigrant example from northern Europe: Studland Heath, at light in 20 July 1951 (E Wild).

2079.1   Nola chlamitulalis (Hübner, 1813)     JERSEY BLACK ARCHES

A recent addition to the UK list, recorded in 1963 on Jersey, and in Essex in 2004, the larva feeding on yellow odontites (Odontites lutea), eyebright sp. (Euphrasia sp.), scabious sp. (Scabiosa sp.), and germander sp. (Teucrium sp.). A second UK mainland example was trapped by Roy Eden at West Bexington on 19 June 2005. The species is restricted to the Mediterranean region and south-east Europe.