Pembrokeshire Lepidoptera
Promoting understanding of the Moths and Butterflies
of the County of Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire Lepidoptera Species of Importance
The species listed below are included on the latest Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) List for Wales and are known to occur in the County. The families concerned are:
A complete list of all the species in the Welsh BAP list can be downloaded as a tab-delimited text file which can be opened by any spreadsheet programme
Hepialidae
0014 Hepialus humuli Ghost Moth
Over 200 records in the County. First recorded in 1921.
Cossidae
0162 Cossus cossus Goat Moth
Appears on Barrett's 1875 List but has not been recorded since.
Oecophoridae
0703 Agonopterix atomella Greenweed Flat-body
Listed by Barrett in 1875 but not recorded since.
Pyralidae
1381 Anania funebris White-spotted Sable
Appears in both Barrett's 1875 list and Leech's 1886 list, otherwise
it has been recorded since 1980 with a total of 14 records.
Hesperiidae
1532 Erynnis tages Dingy Skipper
Over 100 records for this species since 1875.
1534 Pyrgus malvae Grizzled Skipper
A rare species in the County with only 10 records since 1875.
Lycaenidae
1556 Thecla betulae Brown Hairstreak
Over 200 records in the County. Known mostly from winter egg counts. Most common in the eastern part of the County.
This species is also a Pembrokeshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan
(LBAP) species. The
Species Action Plan for the Brown Hairstreak can be downloaded
from the Pembrokeshire Biodiversity Partnership web site.
1558 Satyrium w-album White-letter Hairstreak
A very rare species with only 12 records since the first in 1973. A
single speciemn was recorded in the County during 2006, the first for 13 years.
1569 Cupido minimus Small Blue
Over 100 records in the Pembrokeshire Lepidoptera database. Recently
there has been concern about the apparent decline of its food plant
around the coast.
This species is also a Pembrokeshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan
(LBAP) species.
1571 Plebejus argus Silver-studded Blue
Over 1000 records exist for this species. A thriving colony exists
in the south of the County. To date, the particular sub-species has
not been determined.
This species is also a Pembrokeshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan
(LBAP) species.
Download
Butterfly Conservation fact sheet for this species.
Nymphalidae
1600 Boloria selene Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary
Although over 100 records exist this is a rare species for
Pembrokeshire.
1601 Boloria euphrosyne Pearl-bordered Fritillary
With only just over 20 records since 1970 (the date of the first
record) this is also a rare species for the County.
This species is also a Pembrokeshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan
(LBAP) species.
Download
Butterfly Conservation fact sheet for this species
1606 Argynnis adippe High Brown Fritillary
First recorded in 1972, it has only been recorded 9 times
since then, the last time in 1998.
This species is also a Pembrokeshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan
(LBAP) species.
Download
Butterfly Conservation fact sheet for this species
1610 Eurodryas aurinia Marsh Fritillary
Nearly 1,000 record for the County. A large, previously unknown,
colony has recently been discovered in the south of the County,
otherwise the populations are small and fragmented.
This species is also a Pembrokeshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan
(LBAP) species.
Download Butterfly
Conservation fact sheet for this species
1615 Lasiommata megera Wall
With over 1200 records since 1921 this has always been
considered a fairly common species.
1621 Hipparchia semele Grayling
This species is most often encountered on the coastal fringes of the
County although there are some inland sightings. Recorded over 500
times.
1627 Coenonympha pamphilus Small Heath
Another species which has been considered as fairly common in the
County with over 750 records.
Lasiocampidae
1632 Trichiura crataegi Pale Eggar
Not recorded before 1990 and with only 8 records to date this is an
uncommon species. All but 2 of the records are in the south of the
County.
1634 Malacosoma neustria Lackey
The larval webs are a familiar sight in the County. With over 800
records, mostly from trapping of adults, this is another common
species.
Drepanidae
1646 Watsonall binaria Oak Hook-tip
Not recorded before 1971 there are now nearly 40 records for this
species.
1658 Cymatophora diluta Oak Lutestring
This species is included in Barrett's 1875 list but has not
been recorded since then.
Geometridae
1673 Hemistola chrysoprasaria Small Emerald
First recorded in 1900, over 130 records exist for this species
1675 Cyclophora pendularia Dingy Mocha
Another species which was included in Barrett's 1875 list that has
not been recorded since that time.
1682 Timandra comae Blood-vein
First recorded in 1967 there are now over 350 records for this
species.
1689 Scoplua marginepunctata Mullein Wave
Over 200 records exist for this species.
1704 Idaea dilutaria Silky Wave
Single records from BRC in 1900 and 1961 both need confirmation.
Otherwise this species has not been recorded in the County.
Download Butterfly
Conservation fact sheet for this species
1710 Idaea contiguaria Weaver's Wave
A single record from BRC in 1961 needs confirmation but there is a
confirmed record for Skomer Island in 1973.
1719 Orthonama vittata Oblique Carpet
Recorded 66 times inn the County.
1723 Xanthorhoe decoloraria Red Carpet
Unconfirmed records from BRC in 1900 and 1961.
1725 Xanthorhoe ferrugata Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet
A common species, first recorded in 1900 with over 400 records in
the County.
1731 Scotopteryx bipunctaria Chalk Carpet
An uncommon species in the County with only 5 records.
Download Butterfly
Conservation fact sheet for this species
1732 Scotopteryx chenopodiata Shaded Broad-bar
Over 250 records in the County, first recorded in 1946.
1740 Epirrhoe galiata Galium Carpet
Recorded on 49 occasions in Pembrokeshire.
1744 Entephria caesiata Grey Mountain Carpet
Recorded only in the Goodwick area between 1977 and 1984 by a single
recorder, the 89 records for this species in the Pembrokeshire
Lepidoptera database are now in doubt.
1749 Pelurga comitata Dark Spinach
Recorded only 6 times since it first sighting in 1951.
1757 Eulithis mellinata Spinach
Recorded only 23 times since 1900.
1759 Ecliptopera silaceata Small Phoenix
With over 1,000 records in the County this has always been
considered a common species.
1784 Melanthia procellata Pretty Chalk Carpet
Recorded more than 90 times since its first sighting in 1970.
1787 Rheumaptera hastata Argent & Sable
Recorded only 6 times since 1961 this is a rare species in
the County.
Download Butterfly
Conservation fact sheet for this species
1807 Perizoma albulata Grass Rivulet
First recorded in 1961 with over 50 records in Pembrokeshire.
1878 Minoa murinata Drab Looper
Included in Barrett's list of 1875, this species has been recorded
twice since then but both records are in doubt.
1894 Chiasmia clathrata Latticed Heath
Recorded on over 80 occasions in the County
1897 Macaria wauaria V Moth
Although there are 12 records for this species since 1900, many are
doubtful and need confirmation.
1912 Ennomos quercinaria August Thorn
Recorded over 150 times since 1900.
1914 Ennomos fuscantaria Dusky Thorn
Recorded over 250 times in the County.
1915 Ennomos erosaria September Thorn
Recorded only 21 times, this is an uncommon species for
Pembrokeshire.
1927 Lycia hirtaria Brindled Beauty
Nearly 500 records for this species exist in the County
Sphingidae
1982 Hemaris tityus Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth
Although included by Barrett in his 1875 list this species
has not been recorded since then.
Download
Butterfly Conservation fact sheet for this species
Arctiidae
2057 Arctia caja Garden Tiger
Although this is considered to be a declining species in the U.K.
nearly half the over 580 records in the County have been made since
the beginning of 2000.
2060 Spilosoma lubricapeda White Ermine
With over 1,700 records in the County this species is
considered to be common.
2061 Spilosome luteum Buff Ermine
With over 1,700 records in the County this species is
considered to be common.
2069 Tyria jacobaeae Cinnabar
Over 600 records since it was first recorded in 1919.
Noctuidae
2082 Euxoa nigricans Garden Dart
Recorded more than 100 times since 1962.
2108 Noctua orbona Lunar Yellow Underwing
Included in Barrett's 1875 list with over 30 records for the County.
Some recent records are currently in dispute.
Download
Butterfly Conservation fact sheet for this species
2114 Graphiphora augur Double Dart
First recorded in 1951, there are only 7 records for this
species with the last in 2001.
2117 Eugnorisma glareosa Autumnal Rustic
Over 350 records exist for this species.
2123 Diarsia rubi Small Square-spot
With nearly 2,000 rercords for this species, it has always been
considered a common species. Many trap counts exceed 50 individuals.
2132 Xestia castanea Neglected Rustic
Recorded on nearly 100 occasions.
2135 Xestia agathina Heath Rustic
Recorded over 50 times in the County
2153 Heliophobus reticulata Bordered Gothic
A single record from a 1999 Butterfly Conservation publication is the only indication that
this species has been seen in Pembrokeshire.
Download Butterfly
Conservation fact sheet for this species
2155 Melanchra persicariae Dot Moth
This is a common species with over 500 records in the County.
2163 Melanchra pisi Broom Moth
Another common species with over 600 records in Pembrokeshire.
2177 Tholera cespitis Hedge Rustic
Recorded on 66 occasions.
2178 Tholera decimalis Feathered Gothic
Recorded in the County on 69 occasions.
2186 Orthosia gracilis Powdered Quaker
Another fairly common species with over 250 records.
2205 Mythimna comma Shoulder-striped Wainscot
Also considered to be a fairly common species with nearly 250
records in Pembrokeshire
2225 Brachylomia viminalis Minor Shoulder-knot
First recorded in 1971 there are now over 30 records for this
species.
2227 Asteroscopus sphinx Sprawler
Only 2 records for this species, one in 1971 and the second in 2004,
both confirmed.
2229 Dasypolia templi Brindled Ochre
An uncommon species, recorded only 73 times in the County.
2231 Aporophyla lutulenta Deep-brown Dart
First recorded in 1966, there are now 6 records for this
species, the last in 1990.
2242 Xylena exsoleta Sword-grass
8 records for this species, the last in 1978.
Download Butterfly
Conservation fact sheet for this species
2245 Allophyes oxyacanathae Green Brindled Crescent
Regarded as a common species with over 350 records.
2250 Blepharita adusta Dark Brocade
Only 23 records, this is an uncommon species in the County.
2265 Agrochola helvola Flounced Chestnut
Just 100 records for this species.
2266 Agrochola litura Brown-spot Pinion
Over 100 records exist for this species
2267 Agrochola lychnidis Beaded Chestnut
A common species with over 500 records.
2269 Atethmia centrago Centre-barred Sallow
Nearly 200 records exist for this species since it was first
recorded in 1968.
2274 Xanthia icteritia Sallow
First recorded in 1977, there are now 93 records for this species.
2275 Xanthia gilvago Dusky-lemon Sallow
A very rare species in Pembrokeshire with 2 records in 1966
and a single record for 2007.
2284 Acronicta psi Grey Dagger
Only 9 records exist for this species. However, it is likely that
this species is much more common than this statistic suggests as it
is most often recorded as an aggregate species with the Dark Dagger
(A. tridens).
2289 Acronicta rumicis Knot Grass
With over 470 records in Pembrokeshire this is considered a common
species in the County.
2299 Amphipyra tragopoginis Mouse Moth
Recorded on over 130 occasions.
2317 Cosmia diffinis White-spotted Pinion
Only 9 records between 1900 and 2007, many of them needing
confirmation.
Download
Butterfly Conservation fact sheet for this species
2330 Apamea remissa Dusky Brocade
Recorded in the County on over 220 occasions.
2333 Apamea anceps Large Nutmeg
Nearly 100 records exist for this species.
2342 Mesoligia literosa Rosy Minor
This species has been recorded in the County nearly 200 times.
2360 Amphipoea oculea Ear Moth
There are 6 unconfirmed records between 1967 and 1998 and a further
6 records, more recent for the aggregate species, 'Ear Moth
agg.'
2361 Hydraecia micacea Rosy Rustic
With over 1,000 records this is considered to be a very common
autumn species in the County.
2367 Celaena haworthii Haworth's Minor
With only 9 records from 1961 onwards, this is a rare
species in the County.
2368 Celaena leucostigma Crescent
Only 32 records exist for this species.
2382 Hoplodrina blanda Rustic
Although often confused with another species, the Confused, this
species has been recorded over 700 times in Pembrokeshire.
2387 Caradrina morpheus Mottled Rustic
Another fairly common species in the County with nearly 300 records.
2394 Stilbia anomola Anomolous
Over 150 records for this species, mostly from the west and
north of the County.
Other species included in the Welsh BAP list but not known to occur in Pembrokeshire are:
133 Lampronia capitella Currant Shoot-borer
143a Nematopogon magna Scarce Long-horn Moth
163 Adscita statices Forester - a moth recorded as 'Forester spp.' was recorded in Pembrokeshire in 2006
221 Nemapogon picarella Pied Clothes Moth
366 Phyllonorycter sagitella Scarce Aspen Midget Moth
376 Synanthedon scoliaeformis Welsh Clearwing
1364 Pyrausta sanguinalis Scarce Crimson & Gold
1541 Leptidea sinapis Wood White
1584 Limenitis camilla White Admiral
1628 Coenonympha tullia Large Heath
1650 Sabra harpagula Scarce Hook-tip
1772 Eustromia reticulata Netted Carpet Moth
1864 Chesias legatella Streak
1865 Chesias rufata Broom-tip
1928 Lycia zonaria britannica Belted Beauty
2020 Diloba caeruleocephala Figure of Eight
2129 Xestia ashworthii Ashworth's Rustic
2148 Polia bombycina Pale Shining Brown
2175 Eriopygodes imbecilia Silurian
2257 Jodia croceago Orange Upperwing
2354 Luperina nickerlii gueneei Sandhill Rustic
Rhigognostis incarnatella was first recorded in Pembrokeshire in 2004. It has since been recorded on three further occasions in the County
and it looks as if there is a thriving colony in the north of the
County
These are also the first, known, records for Wales. There are previous records for the U.K., in England (County Durham), parts of Scotland and the Isle of Man.
Photo: ©Tony Lewis, 2004
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