Moths

Notes on the Scottish Macro-moth List, 2011

This list aims to include every species of macro-moth reliably recorded from Scotland, together with an assessment of its Scottish as opposed to UK status, as guidance for observers contributing to the NMRS. It updates and corrects the original version published in 2009, but should still be regarded as provisional and erring on the side of caution.

At one time or another, virtually every macro-moth on the British list has been reported from Scotland. However, many of these claims are almost certainly misidentifications or clerical errors, including name confusion. A modern complication involves the unwitting transport of non-native species inside the traps of visiting observers; these are then included in the next night’s catch. Thus species considered highly improbable or whose origin was suspect have been ignored. They include 19th century records of Speckled Beauty Fajivorina arenaria and Waved Black Parascotia fuliginaria from Perthshire, plus various unlikely records from the Rothamsted database with no supportive evidence. Old or unconfirmed records that seem more plausible have been relegated to an appendix. It is possible that some of these species will be promoted to the main list when further evidence comes to light.

Assessments of Scottish status have been revised where necessary, following the publication of the NMRS atlas in 2010. Even so, they remain to some extent subjective and provisional. Moreover, the status of our moths is changing rapidly at present, with species expanding northwards in response to climate change. Scotland has gained many new colonists in the last decade, while some resident species have undergone spectacular increases in range.

Geographical terms used in this list are very broad; for instance S means south of the River Tay, while E and W divide the country roughly in two. Note that UK designations such as Na and RDB still apply, though they have not been repeated. Ironically, perhaps the rarest moths in Scotland are not its celebrated Highland specialities but more southern species with just a foothold in the country. Currently, Shuttle-shaped Dart Agrotis puta is almost certainly scarcer here than Cousin German Protolampra sobrina, for example.

The list and status assessments will be updated regularly as NMRS data increase or clarify our knowledge of Scottish moths. In the meantime, observers are encouraged to point out any errors or omissions and to suggest amendments. Candidate species for admission to the Scottish list should be supported by definite evidence such as a specimen or photograph.

Species added since the 2009 version

In total, 13 species have been added since the original list was published in 2009. Some of these pre-date that list, but the information was not available at the time. They are as follows:

Sharp-angled Peacock Macaria alternata: larva, 2008, VC97 – confirming RIS records since 1991.

White-pinion Spotted Lomographa bimaculata: omitted from 2009 list in error. Dingy Footman Eilema griseola: VC84, one in 2010 (photo).

Buff Footman E. depressa: colonist, first in 2008, spreading rapidly in south.

Water Ermine Spilosoma urticae: one on Fair Isle, June 2002, (photos). Scarlet Tiger Callimorpha dominula: one, Barnbarroch VC73, June 1997 (photo); probable adventive.

Banana Stowaway Antichloris eriphia: adventives in Shetland (2001) & Banffshire (2009).

Splendid Brocade Lacanobia splendens: migrant on Shetland, 2010, det. Jon Clifton.

Obscure Wainscot Mythimna obsoleta: resident in VC72 since 2002.

Tawny Pinion Lithophane semibrunnea: one in VC72, May 2009 (photo) – potential colonist.

Reed Dagger Simyra albovenosa: Shetland, two in July 2008 (photos).

Fen Wainscot Arenostola phragmitidis: resident in VC72 since 2003.

Blackneck Lygephila pastinum : Berwickshire cliffs, 2009, confirming 1956 records.

Species upgraded from Appendix

Dark Dagger Acronycta tridens: two gen. det on Orkney, 1986 & 2006 (unfortunately females).

Copper Underwing Amphipyrina pyramidea: now various confirmed records.

Species downgraded to Appendix

Oak Lutestring Cymatophorima diluta: unverified old records, beyond main range.

Beaded Chestnut Agrochola lychnidis: no verified records traced; one now withdrawn.

Small Rufous Coenobia rufa: records in MBGBI vol. 10, but error suspected.

Vine’s Rustic Hoplodrina ambigua: a few old records, but misidentification likely.

Species removed since 2009

Barred Hook-tip Watsonalla cultraria: no convincing records traced.

Jasione Pug Eupithecia denotata jasioneata (gen. det.) specimen clearly female Tawny Speckled Pug.

These changes bring the total of macro-moths (including swifts, burnets etc.) on the main Scottish list to 553, though this includes species that are long extinct in Scotland, as well as rare migrants and adventives. A further 23 species are considered possible but unproven.

Besides new additions, there have been some notable recent sightings. Thanks to pheromone lures, Currant Clearwing Synanthedon tipuliformis was found in Roxburghshire in 2010, the first Scottish record since 1998. August Thorn Ennomos quercinaria was confirmed in VC73 (photos). Despite several poor summers for migrants, 2010 saw a Silver-striped Hawk-moth Hippotion celerio in Kintyre, the first Scottish record for many years. Above all, the NMRS provisional atlas highlighted some spectacular increases in Scottish range over the past decade or so, but little evidence of declines. Who knows what the next few years will bring? In these exciting times, even the most unlikely record cannot be dismissed out of hand, not when Water Ermine can reach Fair Isle and Reed Dagger occur as a migrant on Shetland. It is fortunate that digital cameras and internet forums have revolutionised recording, allowing instant identification and confirmation of such rare finds. Yet caution is still necessary. Black Arches Lymantria monacha is surely an unmistakeable species, but two Scottish records turned out to be clerical errors, one for Black Rustic and the other for Dark Arches.

Because CMRs were allowed the final say, various species not on this list appear for Scotland in the NMRS atlas. I would be delighted to receive records backed by photographic evidence for Horse Chestnut Pachycnemia hippocastanaria, Privet Hawk-moth Sphinx ligustri, Wormwood Cucullia absinthii, or indeed any other species not on the present Scottish list.

A large number of observers, internet forums and record centres have contributed either directly or indirectly to the creation of this list. Grateful thanks to them all.

Roy Leverton February 2011

Scottish Macro-moth list 2011 (.xls file)

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Easter Ross Moth Checklist

A brief account of the 364 larger moth species recorded in Easter Ross up to the present time, by Barbara and Brian Ballinger.

Published September 2010.

Download checklist (PDF file, 230kb).

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Provisional Highland Macro Moth List

The table below contains a provisional list of macro-moths found in Highland, arranged according to the families to which they belong. Species which have been given priority status under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) are indicated accordingly.

As the list contains over 400 species, you may find it more convenient to click on the family names rather than scroll down the page:

Hepialidae | Cossidae | Zygaenidae | Sesiidae | Lasiocampidae | Saturniidae | Endromidae | Drepanidae | Thyatiridae | Geometridae | Sphingidae | Notodontidae | Lymantriidae | Arctiidae | Nolidae | Noctuidae

Alternatively, you can access a separate page containing an A to Z list of common names.

Species Name Scientific Name UK BAP Status Hepialidae Ghost Moth Hepialus humuli   Orange Swift Hepialus sylvina   Gold Swift Hepialus hecta   Common Swift Hepialus lupulinus   Map-winged Swift Hepialus fusconebulosa   Cossidae Goat Moth Cossus cossus Priority Zygaenidae New Forest Burnet Zygaena viciae argyllensis Priority Six-spot Burnet Zygaena filipendulae   Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet Zygaena lonicerae   Transparent Burnet Zygaena purpuralis   Sesiidae Lunar Hornet Moth Sesia bembeciformis   Currant Clearwing Synanthedon salmachus   Welsh Clearwing Synanthedon scoliaeformis   Large Red-belted Clearwing Synanthedon culiciformis   Thrift Clearwing Synansphecia muscaeformis   Lasiocampidae December Moth Poecilocampa populi   Pale Eggar Trichiura crataegi   Northern Eggar Lasiocampa quercus f. callunae   Fox Moth Macrothylacia rubi   Drinker Euthrix potatoria   Saturniidae Emperor Moth Saturnia pavonia   Endromidae Kentish Glory Endromis versicolora   Drepanidae Scalloped Hook-tip Falcaria lacertinaria   Pebble Hook-tip Drepana falcataria   Chinese Character Cilix glaucata   Thyatiridae Peach Blossom Thyatira batis   Poplar Lutestring Tethea or   Satin Lutestring Tetheella fluctuosa   Common Lutestring Ocropacha duplaris   Yellow Horned Achyla flavicornis   Geometridae Orange Underwing Archiearis parthenias   March Moth Alsophila aescularia   Grass Emerald Pseudoterpna pruinata   Large Emerald Geometra papilionara   Birch Mocha Cyclophora albipunctata   Cream Wave Scopula floslactata   Smoky Wave Scopula ternata   Small Fan-footed Wave Idaea biselata   Small Dusty Wave Idaea seriata   Riband Wave Idaea aversata   Plain Wave Idaea straminata   Vestal Rhodometra sacraria   Flame Carpet Xanthorhoe designata   Red Carpet Xanthorhoe decoloraria   Red Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe spadicearia   Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe ferrugata   Silver-ground Carpet Xanthorhoe montanata   Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata   Shaded Broad-bar Scotopteryx chenopodiata   Lead Belle Scotopteryx mucronata   July Belle Scotopteryx luridata   Small Argent & Sable Epirrhoe tristata   Common Carpet Epirrhoe alternata   Yellow Shell Camptogramma bilineata bilineata   Yellow-ringed Carpet Entephria flavicinctata   Grey Mountain Moth Entephria caesiata   Shoulder Stripe Anticlea badiata   Streamer Anticlea derivata   Beautiful Carpet Mesoleuca albicillata   Dark Spinach Pelurga comitata   Water Carpet Lampropteryx suffumata   Purple Bar Cosmorhoe ocellata   Striped Twin-spot Carpet Nebula salicata   Pheonix Eulithis prunata   Chevron Eulithis testata   Northern Spinach Eulithis populata   Spinach Eulithis mellinata   Barred Straw Eulithis pyraliata   Small Pheonix Ecliptopera silaceata   Red-green Carpet Chloroclysta siterata   Autumn Green Carpet Chloroclysta miata   Dark Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta citrata   Common Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta truncata   Barred Yellow Cidarai fulvata   Blue-bordered Carpet Plemyria rubiginata   Pine Carpet Thera firmata   Grey Pine Carpet Thera obeliscata   Spruce Carpet Thera britannica   Chestnut-coloured Carpet Thera cognata   Juniper Carpet Thera juniperata   Broken-barred Carpet Electrophaes corylata   Beech-green Carpet Colostygia olivata   Mottled Grey Colostygia multistrigaria   Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria   July Highflyer Hydriomena furcata   May Highflyer Hydriomena impluviata   Ruddy Highflyer Hydriomena ruberata   Slender-striped Rufous Coenocalpe lapidata   Argent & Sable Rheumaptera hastata Priority November Moth Epirrata dilutata   Pale November Moth Epirrata christyi   Autumnal Moth Epirrata autumnata   Small Autumnal Moth Epirrata filigrammaria   Winter Moth Operophtera brumata   Northern Winter Moth Operophtera fagata   Barred Carpet Perizoma taeniata   Rivulet Perizoma affinitata   Small Rivulet Perizoma alchemillata   Heath Rivulet Perizoma bifaciata   Pretty Pinion Perizoma blandiata   Grass Rivulet Perizoma albulata   Sandy Carpet Perizoma flavofasciata   Twin-spot Carpet Perizoma didymata didymata   Slender Pug Eupithecia tenuita   Toadflax Pug Eupithecia linariata   Foxglove Pug Eupithecia pulchellata   Valerian Pug Eupithecia valerianata   Marsh Pug Eupithecia pygmaeata   Lime-speck Pug Eupithecia centaureata   Freyer's Pug Eupithecia intricata   Satyr Pug Eupithecia satyrata   Wormwood Pug Eupithecia absinthiata   Currant Pug Eupithecia assimilata   Bleached Pug Eupithecia expallidata   Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata   White-spotted Pug Eupithecia tripunctaria   Grey Pug Eupithecia subfuscata   Tawny Speckled Pug Eupithecia icterata   Thyme Pug Eupithecia distinctaria   Narrow-winged Pug Eupithecia nanata   Ash Pug Eupithecia fraxinata   Brindled Pug Eupithecia abbreviata   Juniper Pug Eupithecia pusillata   Larch Pug Eupithecia lariciata   Dwarf Pug Eupithecia tantillaria   V-Pug Chloroclystis v-ata   Green Pug Pasiphila rectangulata   Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata   Streak Chesias legatella   Broom-tip Chesias rufata   Manchester Treble-bar Carsia sororata   Treble-bar Aplocera plagiata   Chimney Sweeper Odezia atrata   Welsh Wave Venusia cambrica   Small White Wave Asthena albulata   Seraphim Lobophora halterata   Barred Tooth-striped Trichopteryx polycommata Priority Early Tooth-striped Trichopteryx carpinata   Magpie Moth Abraxas grossulariata   Clouded Border Lomaspilis marginata   Peacock Moth Macaria notata   Tawny-barred Angle Macaria liturata   Netted Mountain Moth Macaria carbonaria Priority Rannoch Looper Itame brunneata   V-Moth Macaria wauaria   Brown Silver-line Petrophora cholrosata   Barred Umber Plagodis pulveraria   Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata   Bordered Beauty Epione repandaria   Dark Bordered Beauty Epione vespertaria Priority Speckled Yellow Pseudopanthera macularia   August Thorn Ennomos quercinaria   Canary-shouldered Thorn Ennomos alniaria   September Thorn Ennomos erosaria   Early Thorn Selenia dentaria   Lunar Thorn Selenia dentaria   Purple Thorn Selenia tetralunaria   Scalloped Hazel Odontopera bidentata   Scalloped Oak Crocallis elinguaria   Feathered Thorn Colotois pennaria   Pale Brindled Beauty Phigalia pilosaria   Brindled Beauty Lycia hirtaria   Belted Beauty Lycia zonaria   Rannoch Brindled Beauty Lycia lapponaria   Peppered Moth Biston betularia   Spring Usher Agriopis leucohaearia   Scarce Umber Agriopis aurantiaria   Dotted Border Agriopis marginaria   Mottled Umber Erannis defolaria   Willow Beauty Peribatodes rhomboidaria   Ringed Carpet Cleora cinctaria   Satin Beauty Deileptenia ribeata   Mottled Beauty Alcis repandata   Dotted Carpet Alcis jubata   Brussels Lace Cleorodes lichenaria   Engrailed Ectropis bistortata   Grey Birch Aethalura punctulata   Common Heath Ematurga atomaria   Bordered White Bupalis piniaria   Common White Wave Cabera pusaria   Common Wave Cabera exanthemata   Clouded Silver Lomographa temerata   Light Emerald Campaea margaritata   Barred Red Hylaea fasciaria   Scottish Annulet Gnophos obfuscata   Annulet Charissa obscurata   Black Mountain Moth Glacies coracina   Grey Scalloped Bar Dyscia fagaria   Sphingidae Convolvulus Hawkmoth Agrius convolvuli   Death's-head Hawkmoth Acherontia atropos   Poplar Hawkmoth Laothoe populi   Narrow-bordered Bee Hawkmoth Haemaris tityus   Humming-bird Hawkmoth Macroglossum stellatarum   Elephant Hawkmoth Deilephila elpenor   Small Elephant Hawkmoth Deilephila porcellus   Notodontidae Buff-tip Phalera bucephala   Puss Moth Cerura vinula   Sallow Kitten Furcula furcula   Iron Prominent Notodonta dromedarius   Pebble Prominent Notodonta ziczac   Lesser Swallow Prominent Pheosia gnoma   Swallow Prominent Pheosia tremula   Coxcomb Prominent Ptilodon capucina   Scarce Prominent Odontosia carmelita   Pale Prominent Pterostoma palpina   Marbled Brown Drymonia dodonaea   Lunar Marbled Brown Drymonia ruficornis   Chocolate-tip Clostera curtula   Lymantriidae Vapourer Orgyia antiqua   Dark Tussock Dicallomera fascelina   Arctiidae Round-winged Muslin Thumatha senex   Dew Moth Setina irrorella   Common Footman Eilema lurideola   Wood Tiger Parasemia plantaginis   Garden Tiger Arctia caja   Clouded Buff Diacrisia sannio   White Ermine Spilosoma lubricipeda   Muslin Moth Diaphora mendica   Ruby Tiger Phragmatobia fuliginosa   Nolidae Least Black Arches Nola confusalis   Noctuidae White-line Dart Euxoa tritici   Garden Dart Euxoa nigricans   Coast Dart Euxoa cursoria   Archer's Dart Agrotis vestigialis   Turnip Moth Agrotis segetum   Heart and Club Agrotis clavis   Heart and Dart Agrotis exclamationis   Dark Sword-grass Agrotis ipsilon   Portland Moth Actebia praecox   Flame Shoulder Ochropleura plecta   Plain Clay Eugnorisma depuncta   Northern Rustic Standfussiana lucernea   Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba   Lunar Yellow Underwing Noctua orbona Priority Lesser Yellow Underwing Noctua comes   Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua fimbriata   Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua janthe   Double Dart Graphiphora augur   Cousin German Protolampra sobrina Priority Autumnal Rustic Eugnorisma glareosa   True Lover's Knot Lycophotia porphyrea   Pearly Underwing Peridroma saucia   Ingrailed Clay Diarsia mendica mendica   Barred Chestnut Diarsia dahlii   Purple Clay Diarsia brunnea   Small Square-spot Diarsia rubi   Northern Dart Xestia alpicola alpina Priority Setaceous Hebrew Character Xestia c-nigrum   Triple-spotted Clay Xestia ditrapezium   Double Square-spot Xestia triangulum   Dotted Clay Xestia baja   Square-spotted Clay Xestia rhomboidea   Neglected Rustic Xestia castanea   Six-striped Rustic Xestia sexstrigata   Square-spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa   Heath Rustic Xestia agathina   Gothic Naenia typica   Great Brocade Eurois occulta   Green Arches Anaplectoides prasina   Red Chestnut Cerastis rubricosa   Beautiful Yellow Underwing Anarta myrtilli   Small Dark Yellow Underwing Anarta cordigera Priority Broad-bordered White Underwing Anarta melanopa   Shears Hada nana   Silvery Arches Polia trimaculosa   Cabbage Moth Mamestra brassicae   Beautiful Brocade Lacanobia contigua   Pale-shouldered Brocade Lacanobia thalassina   Dog's Tooth Lacanobia suasa   Bright-line Brown-eye Lacanobia oleracea   Glaucous Shears Papestra biren   Broom Moth Melanchra pisi   Broad-barred White Hecatera bicolorata   Campion Hadena rivularis   Marbled Coronet Hadena confusa   Lychnis Hadena bicruris   Antler Moth Cerapteryx graminis   Pine Beauty Panolis flammea   Small Quaker Orthosia cruda   Lead-coloured Drab Orthosia populeti   Powdered Quaker Orthosia gracilis   Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi   Clouded Drab Orthosia incerta   Hebrew Character Orthosia gothica   Brown-line Bright-eye Mythimna conigera   Clay Mythimna ferrago   Smoky Wainscot Mythimna impura   Common Wainscot Mythimna pallens   Shoulder-striped Wainscot Mythimna comma   Shark Cucullia umbratica   Minor Shoulder-knot Brachylomia viminalis   Rannoch Sprawler Brachionycha nubeculosa   Brindled Ochre Dasypolia templi   Northern Deep-brown Dart Aporophyla lueneburgensis   Black Rustic Aporophyla nigra   Golden-rod Brindle Lithomoia solidaginis   Red Sword-grass Xylena vetusta   Sword-grass Xylena exsoleta Priority Early Grey Xylocampa areola   Green-brindled Crescent Allophyes oxycanthae   Merveille du Jour Dichonia aprilina   Brindled Green Dryobotodes eremita   Dark Brocade Blepharita adusta   Grey Chi Antitype chi   Satellite Eupsilia transversa   Chestnut Conistra vaccinii   Brick Agrochola circellaris   Red-line Quaker Agrochola lota   Yellow-line Quaker Agrochola macilenta   Flounced Chestnut Agrochola helvola   Brown-spot Pinion Agrochola litura   Suspected Parastichtis suspecta   Centre-barred Sallow Atethmia centrago   Lunar Underwing Omphaloscelis lunosa   Orange Sallow Xanthia citrago   Pink-barred Sallow Xanthia togata   Sallow Xanthia icteritia   Poplar Grey Acronicta megacephala   Miller Acronicta leporina   Grey Dagger Acronicta psi   Light Knot Grass Acronicta menyanthidis   Sweet Gale Moth Acronicta euphorbiae   Knot Grass Acronicta rumicis   Coronet Craniophora ligustri   Mouse Moth Amphipyra tragopoginis   Old Lady Mormo maura   Brown Rustic Rusina ferruginea   Small Angle Shades Euplexia lucipara   Angle Shades Phlogophora meticulosa   Angle-striped Sallow Enargia paleacea   Dun-bar Cosmia trapezina   Saxon Hyppa rectilinea   Dark Arches Apamea monoglypha   Light Arches Apamea lithoxylaea   Northern Arches Apamea zeta assimilis   Clouded-bordered Brindle Apamea crenata   Confused Apamea furva   Dusky Brocade Apamea remissa   Rustic Shoulder-knot Apamea sordens   Marbled Minor Oligia strigilis   Rufous Minor Oligia versicolor   Tawny Marbled Minor Oligia latruncula   Middle-barred Minor Oligia fasciuncula   Cloaked Minor Mesoligia furuncula   Rosy Minor Mesoligia literosa   Common Rustic Mesapamea secalis   Lesser Common Rustic Mesapamea didyma   Small Dotted Bluff Photedes minima   Lyme Grass Chortodes elymi   Small Wainscot Chortodes pygmina   Flounced Rustic Luperina testacea   Large Ear Amphipoea lucens   Saltern Ear Amphipoea fucosa   Crinan Ear Amphipoea crinanensis   Ear Moth Amphipoea oculea   Rosy Rustic Hydraecia micacea   Frosted Orange Gortyna flavago   Haworth's Minor Celaena haworthii   Crescent Celaena leucostigma   Bulrush Wainscot Nonagria typhae   Large Wainscot Rhizedra lutosa   Uncertain Hoplodrina alsines   Rustic Hoplodrina blanda   Pale Mottled Willow Paradrina clavipalpis   Anomalous Stilbia anomala   Bordered Sallow Pyrrhia umbra   Scarce Bordered Straw Helicoverpa armigera   Bordered Straw Heliothis peltigera   Silver Hook Deltote uncula   Green Silver-lines Pseudoips prasinana   Oak Nycteoline Nycteola revayana   Nut-tree Tussock Colocasia coryli   Burnished Brass Diachrysia chrysitis   Gold Spot Plusia festucae   Lempke's Gold Spot Plusia putnami   Silver Y Autographa gamma   Beautiful Golden Y Autographa pulchrina   Plain Golden Y Autographa jota   Gold Spangle Autographa bractea   Scarce Silver Y Syngrapha interrogationis   Spectacle Abrostola tripartita   Clifden Nonpareil Catocala fraxini   Mother Shipton Callistege mi   Herald Scoliopteryx libatrix   Small Purple-barred Phytometra viridaria   Straw Dot Rivula sericealis   Snout Hypena proboscidalis   Pinion-streaked Snout Schrankia costaestrigalis   Marsh Oblique-barred Hypenodes humidalis   Fan-foot Zanclognatha tarsipennalis