Listed below are some of the moth species likely to be found in Unimproved Grassland habitat within the Christchurch Harbour Recording Area. All the Unimproved Grassland in the recording area is acid grassland established on nutrient-poor, free-draining sandy and gravelly soil.

Species that are nationally rare, or nationally scarce, have been further annotated as follows:

R* – nationally rare and breeds in the Harbour
R – nationally rare other
S* – nationally scarce and breeds in the Harbour
S – nationally scarce other

The website that is most relevant for Christchurch Harbour moth species is Hantsmoths. Clicking on the scientific name of a species will take you to the web page for that species on the Hantsmoths website.

For a full explanation of layout and terms click here.

Diurnal species readily identifiable as adults likely to be found in Unimproved Grassland habitat within Christchurch Harbour:

52.014    Bembecia ichneumoniformis    Six-belted Clearwing
54.008    Zygaena filipendulae    Six-spot Burnet
66.007    Lasiocampa quercus    Oak Eggar    [Only males fly actively in the day]
68.001    Saturnia pavonia    Emperor Moth    [Only males fly actively in the day]
69.009    Hemaris fuciformis    Broad-bordered Bee Hawk
69.010    Macroglossum stellatarum    Humming-bird Hawk-moth
73.257    Anarta myrtilli    Beautiful Yellow Underwing

Nocturnal species readily identifiable as adults likely to be found in Unimproved Grassland habitat within Christchurch Harbour:

44.001    Alucita hexadactyla    Twenty-plume Moth
49.265    Eucosma cana    Hoary Tortrix
49.269    Eucosma campoliliana    Pied Tortrix
62.001    Aphomia sociella    Bee Moth
62.022    Pempelia genistella    Gorse Knot-horn    S*
62.023    Pempelia palumbella    Heather Knot-horn
62.042    Myelois circumvoluta    Thistle Ermine
62.054    Homoeosoma sinuella    Twin-barred Knot-horn
62.058    Phycitodes binaevella    Spotted Knot-horn
62.070     Synaphe punctalis    Long-legged Tabby
62.075    Hypsopygia costalis    Gold Triangle
62.077    Endotricha flammealis    Rosy Tabby
63.028    Ostrinia nubilalis    European Corn Borer
63.031    Udea ferrugalis    Rusty-dot Pearl
63.038    Patania ruralis    Mother of Pearl
63.048    Palpita vitrealis    Olive-tree Pearl
63.052    Nomophila noctuella    Rush Veneer
63.054    Cydalima perspectalis    Box-tree Moth
63.057    Evergestis forficalis    Garden Pebble
63.066    Scoparia pyralella    Brown-spot Grey
63.069    Eudonia angustea    Narrow-winged Grey
63.080    Chrysoteuchia culmella    Garden Grass-veneer
63.089    Agriphila tristella    Common Grass-moth
63.093    Agriphila straminella    Straw Grass-moth
63.095    Agriphila geniculea    Chevron Grass-moth
63.109    Pediasia contaminella    Rolled Grass-moth    S*
65.008    Thyatira batis    Peach Blossom
66.006    Lasiocampa trifolii    Grass Eggar    S*
66.008    Macrothylacia rubi    Fox Moth
66.010    Euthrix potatoria    Drinker
69.015    Hyles livornica    Striped Hawk-moth
69.016    Deilephila elpenor    Elephant Hawk-moth
69.017    Deilephila porcellus    Small Elephant Hawk-moth
69.018    Hippotion celerio    Silver-striped Hawk-moth
70.004    Idaea rusticata    Least Carpet
70.009    Idaea subsericeata    Satin Wave
70.010    Idaea sylvestraria    Dotted Border Wave
70.013    Idaea biselata    Small Fan-footed Wave
70.016    Idaea aversata    Riband Wave
70.017    Idaea degeneraria    Portland Ribbon Wave
70.018    Idaea straminata    Plain Wave
70.020    Scopula nigropunctata    Sub-angled Wave
70.023    Scopula marginepunctata    Mullein Wave
70.033    Cyclophora puppillaria    Blair’s Mocha
70.036    Cyclophora punctaria    Maiden’s Blush
70.038    Rhodometra sacraria    Vestal
70.047    Nycterosea obstipata    Gem
70.052    Xanthorhoe ferrugata    Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet
70.061    Epirrhoe alternata    Common Carpet
70.064    Euphyia biangulata    Cloaked Carpet
70.065    Euphyia unangulata    Sharp-angled Carpet
70.066    Earophila badiata    Shoulder Stripe
70.067    Anticlea derivata    Streamer
70.069    Pelurga comitata    Dark Spinach
70.070    Larentia clavaria    Mallow
70.087    Cosmorhoe ocellata    Purple Bar
70.090    Eulithis testata    Chevron
70.092    Eulithis mellinata    Spinach
70.093    Gandaritis pyraliata    Barred Straw
70.097    Dysstroma truncata    Common Marbled Carpet
70.100    Colostygia pectinataria    Green Carpet
70.131    Perizoma didymata    Twin-spot Carpet
70.133    Perizoma alchemillata    Small Rivulet
70.138    Perizoma flavofasciata    Sandy Carpet
70.141    Gymnoscelis rufifasciata    Double-striped Pug
70.166    Eupithecia simpliciata    Plain Pug
70.168    Eupithecia nanata    Narrow-winged Pug
70.173    Eupithecia centaureata    Lime-speck Pug
70.179    Eupithecia absinthiata    Wormwood Pug
70.186    Eupithecia millefoliata    Yarrow Pug
70.187    Eupithecia icterata    Tawny Speckled Pug
70.189    Eupithecia subumbrata    Shaded Pug
70.190    Eupithecia subfuscata    Grey Pug
70.192    Aplocera plagiata    Treble-bar
70.195    Chesias legatella    Streak
70.218    Chiasmia clathrata    Latticed Heath
70.225    Pachycnemia hippocastanaria    Horse Chestnut    S*
70.258    Peribatodes rhomboidaria    Willow Beauty
70.272    Paradarisa consonaria    Square spot
70.294    Aspilates ochrearia    Yellow Belle
70.295    Perconia strigillaria    Grass Wave
70.297    Pseudoterpna pruinata    Grass Emerald
70.306    Chlorissa viridata    Small Grass Emerald
72.002    Rivula sericealis    Straw Dot
72.003    Hypena proboscidalis    Snout
72.012    Euproctis chrysorrhoea    Brown-tail
72.019    Spilosoma luteum    Buff Ermine
72.020    Spilosoma lubricipeda    White Ermine
72.022    Diaphora mendica    Muslin Moth
72.023    Diacrisia sannio    Clouded Buff
72.024    Phragmatobia fuliginosa    Ruby Tiger
72.026    Arctia caja    Garden Tiger
72.027    Arctia villica britannica    Cream-spot Tiger
72.030    Euplagia quadripunctaria    Jersey Tiger
72.031    Tyria jacobaeae    Cinnabar
72.034    Utetheisa pulchella    Crimson Speckled
72.037    Thumatha senex    Round-winged Muslin
72.038    Cybosia mesomella    Four-dotted Footman
72.046    Eilema complana    Scarce Footman
72.047    Eilema caniola    Hoary Footman
72.073    Eublemma parva    Small Marbled
72.076    Catolcala fraxini    Clifden Nonpareil
72.084    Euclidia mi    Mother Shipton
73.001    Abrostola tripartita    Spectacle
73.002    Abrostola triplasia    Dark Spectacle
73.012    Diachrysia chrysitis    Burnished Brass
73.015    Autographa gamma    Silver Y
73.045    Acronicta rumicis    Knot Grass
73.052    Cucullia umbratica    Shark
73.053    Cucullia chamomillae    Chamomile Shark
73.058    Cucullia verbasci    Mullein
73.061    Stilbia anomala    Anomalous
73.069    Xylocampa areola    Early Grey
73.070    Pyrrhia umbra    Bordered Sallow
73.074    Heliothis peltigera    Bordered Straw
73.076    Helicoverpa armigera    Scarce Bordered Straw
73.091    Elaphria venustula    Rosy Marbled
73.092    Caradrina morpheus    Mottled Rustic
73.093    Platyperigea kadenii    Clancy’s Rustic
73.095    Paradrina clavipalpis    Pale Mottled Willow
73.096    Hoplodrina octogenaria    Uncertain
73.097    Hoplodrina blanda    Rustic
73.099    Hoplodrina ambigua    Vine’s Rustic
73.101    Charanyca trigrammica    Treble Lines
73.102    Rusina ferruginea    Brown Rustic
73.107    Mormo maura    Old Lady
73.109    Thalpophila matura    Straw Underwing
73.113    Phlogophora meticulosa    Angle Shades
73.114    Euplexia lucipara    Small Angle Shades
73.120    Eremobia ochroleuca    Dusky Sallow
73.123    Hydraecia micacea    Rosy Rustic
73.131    Luperina testacea    Flounced Rustic
73.142    Coenobia rufa    Small Rufous
73.144    Chortodes pygmina    Small Wainscot
73.147    Photedes minima    Small Dotted Buff
73.154    Apamea remissa    Dusky Brocade
73.156    Apamea crenata    Clouded-bordered Brindle
73.158    Apamea sordens    Rustic Shoulder-knot
73.159    Apamea unanimis    Small Clouded Brindle
73.162    Apamea monoglypha    Dark Arches
73.163    Apamea lithoxylaea    Light Arches
73.168    Apamea ophiogramma    Double Lobed
73.171    Mesoligia literosa    Rosy Minor
73.172    Mesoligia furuncula    Cloaked Minor
73.176    Oligia fasciuncula    Middle-barred Minor
73.186    Agrochola lychnidis    Beaded Chestnut
73.191    Agrochola haematidea    Southern Chestnut    S
73.193    Omphaloscelis lunosa    Lunar Underwing
73.229    Trigonophora flammea    Flame Brocade
73.231    Aporophyla lutulenta    Deep-brown Dart
73.233    Aporophyla nigra    Black Rustic
73.235    Polymixis lichenea    Feathered Ranunculus
73.244    Orthosia cerasi    Common Quaker
73.249    Orthosia gothica    Hebrew Character
73.252    Tholera cespitis    Hedge Rustic
73.253    Tholera decimalis    Feathered Gothic
73.254    Cerapteryx graminis    Antler Moth
73.255    Anarta trifolii    Nutmeg
73.263    Lacanobia w-latinum    Light Brocade
73.266    Lacanobia suasa    Dog’s Tooth
73.267    Lacanobia oleracea    Bright-line Brown-eye
73.268    Lacanobia splendens    Splendid Brocade
73.270    Melanchra persicariae    Dot Moth
73.271    Ceramica pisi    Broom Moth
73.273    Hada plebeja    Shears
73.274    Mamestra brassicae    Cabbage Moth
73.279    Hecatera bicolorata    Broad-barred White
73.281    Hadena bicruris    Lychnis
73.289    Mythimna pudorina    Striped Wainscot
73.290    Mythimna conigera    Brown-line Bright Eye
73.291    Mythimna pallens    Common Wainscot
73.293    Mythimna impura    Smoky Wainscot
73.294    Mythimna straminea    Southern Wainscot
73.295    Mythimna vitellina    Delicate
73.296    Pseudaletia unipuncta    White-speck
73.297    Mythimna albipuncta    White-point
73.298    Mythimna ferrago    Clay
73.299    Mythimna litoralis    Shore Wainscot    S*
73.304    Leucania loreyi    Cosmopolitan
73.307    Peridroma saucia    Pearly Underwing
73.313    Euxoa tritici    White-line Dart
73.317    Agrotis exclamationis    Heart and Dart
73.319    Agrotis segetum    Turnip Moth
73.320    Agrotis clavis    Heart and Club
73.322    Agrotis vestigialis    Archer’s Dart
73.325    Agrotis puta    Shuttle-shaped Dart
73.327    Agrotis ipsilon    Dark Sword-grass
73.328    Axylia putris    Flame
73.329    Ochropleura plecta    Flame Shoulder
73.330    Ochropleura leucogaster    Radford’s Flame Shoulder
73.332    Diarsia brunnea    Purple Clay
73.333    Diarsia mendica    Ingrailed Clay
73.334    Diarsia rubi    Small Square-spot
73.336    Cerastis rubricosa    Red Chestnut
73.338    Lycophotia porphyrea    True Lover’s Knot
73.342    Noctua pronuba    Large Yellow Underwing
73.343    Noctua fimbriata    Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing
73.345    Noctua comes    Lesser Yellow Underwing
73.346    Noctua interjecta caliginosa    Least Yellow Underwing
73.356    Xestia agathina    Heath Rustic
73.357    Xestia xanthographa    Square-spot Rustic
73.358    Xestia sexstrigata    Six-striped Rustic
73.359    Xestia c-nigrum    Setaceous Hebrew Character
73.361    Xestia triangulum    Double Square-spot
73.365    Eugnorisma glareosa    Autumnal Rustic
73.368    Naenia typica    Gothic
74.002    Meganola albula    Kent Black Arches
74.003    Nola cucullatella    Short-cloaked Moth

Other notable species likely to be found in Unimproved Grassland habitat within Christchurch Harbour:

35.052    Aristotelia brizella    Thrift Elder    S*
35.133    Caryocolum blandella    Barred Groundling    S*
37.035    Coleophora alcyonipennella    Clover Case-bearer
37.055    Coleophora pyrrhulipennella    Heath Case-bearer
37.063    Coleophora albicosta    Gorse Case-bearer
37.100    Coleophora solitariella    Southern Stitchwort Case-bearer
37.102    Coleophora argentula    Yarrow Case-bearer    [Larval case easy to find in autumn]
49.039    Epiphyas postvittana    Light Brown Apple Moth
49.109    Agapeta hamana    Garden Straw
49.111    Eupoecilia angustana    Dark-barred Straw
49.139    Cochylichroa atricapitana    Black-fronted Straw
49.185    Lobesia littoralis    Shore Marble
49.219    Thiodia citrana    Canary Tortrix    S*
49.319    Dichrorampha flavidorsana    Orange-spot Tansy Moth    S*
49.325    Cydia ulicetana    Common Gorse Moth
62.059    Phycitodes saxicola    Lesser Clouded Knot-horn
73.128    Amphipoea oculea    Ear Moth
73.169    Mesapamea secalis    Common Rustic
73.173    Oligia strigilis    Marbled Minor
73.174    Oligia latruncula    Tawny Marbled Minor
73.175    Oligia versicolor    Rufous Minor
73.347    Noctua janthina    Langmaid’s Yellow Underwing    S*
73.348    Noctua janthe    Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing

For a complete list of moth species likely to be found in Unimproved Grassland habitat within Christchurch Harbour, look for code ‘UG’ in the Systematic List.

Go to CHOG Harbour Moths main page.