2113       Spaelotis ravida [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775] STOUT DART

A local species given to cyclical variation in abundance and restricted to edges of marshes and meadows in central eastern England, the larva foodplant is unknown. Adults aestivate, often gregariously, under loose bark and in outbuildings following their emergence at the end of June; they then reappear in September. In Dorset, the moth is likely to be just beyond the edge of its range in England, and has only been seen once in recent times. This individual is likely to have originated from central or eastern France; a brisk south-easterly airflow transported many immigrant species to the county a few days earlier: Puddletown, at MV light on 4 September 1998 (H Wood Homer), Cranborne, (F Fisher).

2114       Graphiphora augur (Fabricius, 1775) DOUBLE DART

A local and decreasing species in Britain and largely absent from the south-west, the larva feeding on the buds of various deciduous tree species following hibernation in woodland, parkland, fens and marshes. In Dorset, the moth has been seen only a handful of times and none of the most recent dates coincide with airflows from abroad. Whether its status in the county is that of a rare resident at very low density, a transitory resident, or an immigrant from within the UK, is unclear. The species is found across much of central and northern Europe: Glanville’s Wootton, on 30 June 1851 (J Dale), Winfrith, (Dr F Haines), Weymouth, at MV light on 17 July 1995 (Dr P Sterling), Matchams, at MV light on 16 July 1987 and 30 June 1988 (G Le Pard).

2117       Eugnorisma glareosa (Esper, 1788) AUTUMNAL RUSTIC

A local species in Britain that is more frequently encountered in northern districts, the larva feeding on various herbaceous plants and grasses, and on the young leaves of trees in spring. In Dorset, the moth ranges from frequent on sandy soils to local in unimproved calcareous grassland habitat along the Purbeck Ridge and along the Purbeck coast. Wanderers are occasionally trapped elsewhere across the county, but otherwise it is seldom seen.

 2103       Eugnorisma depuncta (Linnaeus, 1761) PLAIN CLAY     Notable/Nb

A local woodland species in central and eastern Scotland, in northern and central Wales, and in Devon and Cornwall. In Dorset, two evidenced moths were trapped at the same locality on adjacent nights immediately after an intense low pressure system had crossed central England. The moths may have been individuals displaced from a UK colony by the north-westerly airflow in the wake of the storm; the closest locality is Savernake Forest some seventy kilometers to the north, although there have been no recent records from Wiltshire: Matchams, at MV light, one on 7 September 1982, another on 8 September 1982 (G Le Pard).

2118       Lycophotia porphyrea [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775] TRUE LOVER'S KNOT

The commonest heathland macromoth species in Britain, the larva feeding on heather (Calluna vulgaris) and bell heather (Erica cinerea). In Dorset, the moth is abundant on heathland. In favourable years trap totals are large, for example, 5000 at Furzebrook in 1972 and 2400 at Matchams in 1986. There are many observations of short or medium-range dispersal away from heathland, see also the Narrow-winged Pug₁₈₄₆ account. Interestingly, colonisation away from heathland has been observed in Europe for this species.

2119       Peridroma saucia (Hübner, 1808) PEARLY UNDERWING

A cosmopolitan, mainly tropical and sub-tropical species, and a regular immigrant to Britain, commonest in the south, rarely recorded inland in Scotland, the larva, although rarely encountered, is a defoliator of wild and cultivated herbaceous plants, and sometimes thrives in greenhouses. In the tropics, the larva is a serious pest of vegetables.

In Dorset, the moth has been observed in every month of the year, although numbers vary annually depending on the size and northward extent of migrations from the Mediterranean region and mainland Africa, where it is resident. The build up in numbers as the year advances is similar to other common immigrant species. Unusually high numbers of adults were trapped in 1992, 1996, 2000, 2003 and 2006. There is no evidence that the Pearly Underwing overwinters in the county; it is thought that all stages perish during the first frosts of winter. The status of the moth is therefore of an immigrant and transitory resident.

2120       Diarsia mendica (Fabricius, 1775) INGRAILED CLAY

A widespread species in Britain, the larva feeding on various herbaceous plants before hibernation and the foliage of shrubs and trees during the spring. In Dorset, the moth is locally common in deciduous woodland and on birch-clad heathland, but at low density elsewhere. The species is highly variable, and Square-spot Rustic₂₁₃₄ is occasionally mistaken for it even though this species is on the wing at an earlier time of year.

2121       Diarsia dahlii (Hübner, 1813) BARRED CHESTNUT

A species found locally in south-east, central and northern England, Wales and Scotland, the larva feeding on various herbaceous plants before hibernation and the foliage of shrubs and trees in the spring. In Dorset, there are no recent records: Bere Wood, (O Pickard Cambridge), Cranborne Chase, on 30 July 1933 (A Russell) (see photo), Cranborne, (F Fisher, W Parkinson-Curtis).

2122       Diarsia brunnea [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775] PURPLE CLAY

A widespread species in Britain, the larva feeding on various herbaceous plants before hibernation and the young foliage of shrubs and trees during the spring. In Dorset, the moth is at low density and barely frequent in deciduous woodland, but rare elsewhere. This contrasts markedly with: “the insect is by no means local especially in deciduous woodland, saving that it does not favour heathland nor cultivated land, and is common where it occurs.” and “… many hundreds seen at sugar.” (W Parkinson Curtis).

2123       Diarsia rubi (Vieweg, 1790) SMALL SQUARE-SPOT

A widespread species in Britain, the larva feeding on various herbaceous plants and, unlike their cogeners after hibernation, do not ascend to feed on the young foliage of shrubs and trees during the spring. In Dorset, the moth is common for the most-part, and rises to abundant on unimproved grassland habitat irrespective of geology or moisture levels, and falling to low density in woodland and on core heathland. The two broods are of similar magnitude.

2124       Diarsia florida (Schmidt, 1859) FEN SQUARE-SPOT

A very local species in northern England, East Anglia and Wales, the larva has not been found in the wild. This species is considered to be an ecotype of the Small Square-spot₂₁₂₃ that is in the process of separation. The single-brooded and paler Fen Square-spot is on the wing during July, so between the two broods of the Small Square-spot. It is a resident of fen and marshland, and is reputed not to become active until late in the night. In Dorset, the moth has been recorded from a light trap run regularly in a garden less than a kilometer from mire habitat on Stoborough Heath. Trapping in other mire habitats elsewhere over the past fifteen years has failed to produce an example of this species: Stoborough, on 28 June, two on 4 July, two on 6 July, two on 19 July 1977, two on 26 June, 13 July 1978, 13 July, 15 July, 23 July 1979, and on 21 June 1983 (B Withers).

2126       Xestia c-nigrum (Linnaeus, 1758) SETACEOUS HEBREW CHARACTER

A cosmopolitan species north of the sub-tropics, and widespread in lowland Britain, the larva feeding on various herbaceous plants. In Dorset, the moth is ubiquitous and abundant. The species is double brooded with the peak of the second brood on average, more than three times greater than that of the first. Indigenous populations in northern Europe are reinforced with migrants from further south, sometimes influxes are huge, and in Dorset, large single night catches often coincide with notable immigration events. The following light trap records show instances of two hundred moths or more: Scar Bank, 500 on 28 August 1949 (A Russell), West Bexington, 273 on 18 September 2001 (R Eden), Puddletown, 745 on 24 September 2000 (H Wood Homer), Gaunts Common, 200 on 18 September 1992 (P Davey), Durlston, 200 on 2 September 1998 (P Davey).

2127       Xestia ditrapezium [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775] TRIPLE-SPOTTED CLAY

A local woodland species in southern Britain, but scarcer further north, the larva feeding on various herbaceous plants before hibernation and the young foliage of shrubs and trees the following spring. In Dorset, the moth was always rare and any news of a surviving colony would be very welcome, as the last county record was more than twenty years ago. The majority of the moths were caught within old damp deciduous woodland on clay and sandy soils. The loss of old oak and birch woodland plus the blotting out of much of its preferred habitat during the last century from the spread of rhododendron and the block planting of conifers are possible factors behind its demise. It may be that the species hangs on still in the fragments of deciduous woodland that remain just to the south and east of Wareham, and on Brownsea Island. Recent initiatives to clear rhododendron from the Arne and the Brownsea Island nature reserves can only benefit colonies that might survive.

2128       Xestia triangulum (Hufnagel, 1766) DOUBLE SQUARE-SPOT

A widespread species in Britain, the larva feeding on various herbaceous plants before hibernation and the young foliage of shrubs and trees the following spring. In Dorset, the moth is frequent, locally common, in deciduous woodland throughout the county, but rare or absent in open country. The national norm is for a singlebrood in June and July, but in Dorset the primary brood is centred on July. Examples of moths in mid-May suggest an occasional partial first brood. Moths noted in mid-August are possibly second brood examples of this secondary brood cycle. This species is often mistaken for Triple-spotted Clay₂₁₂₇. Diagnostics include: a paler ground colour that is unlike that of the Triple-spotted Clay and Setacious Hebrew Character₂₁₂₆; an absence of a smoky black suffusion across the upper half of the forewing; pale-coloured stigmata contrasting sharply with ‘Double Square-spot’.

2130       Xestia baja [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775] DOTTED CLAY

A widespread species in Britain, the larva feeding on various herbaceous plants before hibernation and the young foliage of shrubs and trees during the following spring. In Dorset, the moth occurs at low density in deciduous woodland within the birch/heather terrain on sandy soils, but it is rare or absent away from sandy soils. A potential second brood example follows: Hengistbury Head, at MV light on 25 October 2000 (M Jeffes).

 2131       Xestia rhomboidea (Esper, 1790) SQUARE-SPOTTED CLAY     Notable/Nb

A woodland species mainly restricted to southern Britain where it has undergone a dramatic decline in recent years, the larval foodplant is unknown but is assumed to be various herbaceous plants before hibernation and the young foliage of shrubs and trees the following spring. The moth is fond of nectaring on the flowers of burdock and ragwort. In Dorset, the moth has suffered a similar fate to that of the Triple-spotted Clay₂₁₂₇, and is probably long extinct. The few moths that were observed tended to be seen within or close to old deciduous woodland containing good stocks of mature birch, and the destruction of so much of this old woodland seems inevitably to have taken its toll. Localities worth searching include what is left of the mature birch in the Yellowham Wood - Thornecombe Wood complex, Stubhampton Bottom and Scrubbity Barrows. The species has not been seen in the county for nearly fifty years, and in the absence of recent records, no recommendations are proposed. The moth is similar to both Triple-spotted Clay₂₁₂₇ and Double Square-spot₂₁₂₈. Diagnostics include: a wide pale band along the edge of the wing contrasting with an adjacent dark band, the interface between the two forming an irregular line between the base and the costal edge of the forewing; absence of a black mark near the apex of the forewing.

2132       Xestia castanea (Esper, 1798) NEGLECTED RUSTIC

A local species throughout Britain, the larva feeding on heather (Calluna vulgaris), bell heather (Erica cinerea) and cross-leaved heath (Erica tetralix). In Dorset, the moth is restricted to heathland and open pine woods where its foodplants grow. The typical red form has not been found in the county, and all specimens refer to ab. neglecta. The following individuals were trapped well away from heathland suggesting occasional dispersal: Scar Bank, at light on 26 August 1949, at sugar on 27 August 1949 (A Russell), St Albans Head, at MV on 20 September 1992 (P Davey), Durlston, three at MV light on 17 September 1982 (Dr J Clarke), and on 2 September 1991 (P Davey).

2133       Xestia sexstrigata (Haworth, 1809) SIX-STRIPED RUSTIC

A widespread species in Britain, the larva feeding on various herbaceous plants. In Dorset, the moth occurs widely but is generally at low density rising to frequent in damp woodland, marshes and on unimproved grassland on chalky soils.

2134       Xestia xanthographa ([Denis & Schiffermüller 1775] SQUARE-SPOT RUSTIC

A widespread species in Britain, the larva feeding on various herbaceous plants and grasses. In Dorset, the moth is ubiquitous and common, rising to abundant on unimproved grassland. The national norm is for a single brood in August and September, but many early summer records from a range of localities and recorders across the county suggest a partial bivoltine tendency in recent years.

2135       Xestia agathina (Duponchel, 1827) HEATH RUSTIC

A heathland and moorland specialist occurring in suitable habitat throughout Britain, the larva feeding nocturnally on the young shoots of heather (Calluna vulgaris). In Dorset, the moth is locally common and in some years abundant, notably 1976, 1990 and 1991, on dry, sandy heaths that support good stocks of the foodplant. Dispersal from core heathland habitat, from south-eastern counties or even mainland northern Europe would appear to account for many records from non-heathland localities, as their occurrence seems to coincide with east to north-easterly airflows.

2136       Naenia typica (Linnaeus, 1758) GOTHIC

A widespread but decreasing species in lowland Britain, the larva feeding on various herbaceous plants, young shrubs and fruit trees. In Dorset, the moth is local and usually only singletons are observed. The Gothic seems to prefer watery habitats such as rivers and streams, and, “it turns up in coal houses, garden tool sheds and suchlike places.” (W Parkinson Curtis ms), a set of preferences exhibited also by Old Lady₂₃₀₀.

 2137       Eurois occulta (Linnaeus, 1758) GREAT BROCADE     Notable/Na

A species confined to the central and western highlands of Scotland, and also recorded as an immigrant most frequently in northern and eastern Britain, the larva feeding on bog myrtle (Myrica gale). Abroad, the species inhabits open, bog-myrtle rich habitat within forested mountain regions, where immense populations of larvae occasionally occur. In Dorset, the moth has been seen on ten occasions, all but one at light traps, and all coincident with north-easterly airflows from the region of Scandinavia: Portland Bill, on 12 August 1964 (F Clafton), Portland, on 6 August 2006 (M Cade), Preston, on 4 August 2006 (M Forster), Kingston, on 24 August 2007 (P Benham), Gillingham, on 8 August 1995 and 24 August 2007 (G Hopkins), Swanage, on 17August 1996 (R Cox), Coldharbour, on 19 August 2006 (B Withers), Bournemouth, retrieved from a hanging basket on 23 August 2007 (per D Evans, Somerset Moth Group), Mudeford, on 11 August 1955 (Carr, Ent Rec 67:308).

2138       Anaplectoides prasina [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775] GREEN ARCHES

A widespread species in Britain, most frequent in southern England and Wales, the larva is polyphagous and its diet includes various herbaceous plants, honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). In Dorset, this fine moth is frequent in deciduous woodland, and locally common in old woods with dense vegetation on chalky soils. The moth is usually rare or absent well away from woodland.

2139       Cerastis rubricosa [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775] RED CHESTNUT

A widespread species in Britain, the larva feeding nocturnally on various herbaceous plants. In Dorset, the moth is locally common in deciduous woodland and in mire habitat on heathland. Elsewhere it is at low density. The flight period varies according to how slow or advanced the season is.

2140       Cerastis leucographa [Denis & Schiffermüller 1775] WHITE-MARKED

A very local woodland species with a scattered distribution restricted to Wales and England, the larva foodplant is unknown. In Dorset, the moth has been found in alder swamp habitat on Jurassic clay soil. In the absence of knowledge about the precise habitat requirements of this species, no recommendations can be proposed other than to monitor for the continued presence of the species on the Dorset Wildlife Trust managed reserve: Powerstock Common, at MV light, two on 31 March 1997 and two more on 4 April 1997 (D Foot, M Forster).