MOTHSIRELAND

Atlas Explanations

This page explains the different elements of the MothsIreland Atlas. Click on the atlas to bring you to explanation. Use your browser back button or click on "Atlas" to return.
The atlases are based on the data in the MothsIreland dataset. It must be noted that this dataset is in its infancy, is a work in progress and may not be completed for many years. Also it should be noted that generally moth recorders are few and far between. Therefore coverage is not complete.

Click on the atlas to bring you to explanation.

Title: 2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)

The number (2107) refers to the coding system used in Bradley & Fletcher ("A Recorder's Log Book or Label List of British Butterflies and Moths" - J.D. Bradley and D.S. Fletcher (1979)). The English (vernacular) name is followed by the scientific name in brackets."

Atlas

Status: Widespread & Common Resident

A status has been assigned to each species which is a best estimate based on information at hand. For many species it is subject to change as more information becomes known.

Light trapping is by far the most widely used method for recording moths and results in some species, which are not strongly attracted to light, being relatively under-recorded.

Immigrants are species which are resident outside of Ireland, usually in warmer climates in Southern Europe or North Africa. They fly, aided by suitable weather systems, to our shores. Some may well breed to produce locally bred offspring in the Autumn but these are very unlikely to survive the Winter.

Widespread & Common
Recorded in most areas countrywide
Widespread
Countrywide but in lower numbers or at less sites than those that are "Common"
Common Locally
Common in particular habitats or in restricted areas, e.g. sand dunes, Oak woodland.
Scarce
Not encountered often or very restricted in range, e.g. the Burren.
Rare
Rarely encountered
Possibly extinct
Previously resident but not recorded for many years.
Common Immigrant
Occurs countrywide most years.
Scarce Immigrant
Occurs mainly in southern coastal regions most years
Rare Immigrant
Rarely encountered with perhaps many years between records
Resident & Immigrant
Resident, but often reinforced by immigration
Adventive
Accidental import perhaps with fruit & veg or with imported plants

Atlas

10km Distribution:

The dots mapped represent the 10km squares of the Irish Grid. All records have a grid reference, most to a resolution of 100m. There are 1019 10km grid squares in Ireland of which 187 lie wholly or partly within Northern Ireland.

Atlas

2000 onwards:

The dark blue dot in a 10km square indicates that a species has been recorded in that 10km square since the 1st January 2000. There are many new moth recorders, practically all started since 2000. This is a reflection on this 1970 to 1999 recent activity.

Atlas

1970 to 1999:

The light blue dot in a 10km square indicates that a species has been recorded in that 10km square only between 1st January 1970 and 31st December 1999. This period is "post Baynes"; (A revised Catalogue of Irish Macrolepidoptera E. S. A. Baynes (1964) post-Baynes; Supplement (1970)). Also 1970 is about the time Ken Bond commenced recording, so this period reflects this.

Atlas

Pre 1970:

The blue open circle in a 10km square indicates that a species has been recorded in that 10km square only before 1st January 1970. There will not be many pre 1970 symbols on the map, because either the species has been recorded since in that 10km square, or it will be many years before pre 1970 records will be entered in the database. Currently this is beyond the scope of the compilers of the database.

Atlas

Records: 1576

The total number of records in the MothsIreland database of this species

Atlas

Individuals: 31358

The total number of individuals of this species represented in the records in the MothsIreland database of this species

Atlas

Sites: 407

The number of unique sites that this species has been recorded from. Since most records are to a resolution of 100m, it may be the case that a "location" may contain a number of sites.

Atlas

10km Squares: 184

The number of 10km squares from which there is at least one record of this species in the database. This is out of a total of 1019 10k squares. Note that the database does not contain the Northern Ireland dataset, though there may be some Northern Ireland records from visiting Republic of Ireland based recorders

Atlas

Earliest: 05-02 (May-02 2004)

The earliest date that the species has been recorded an an adult. This is in format MM-DD (MMM-DD YYYY)

Atlas

Latest: 11-07 (Nov-07 2003)

The latest date that the species has been recorded an an adult. This is in format MM-DD (MMM-DD YYYY)

Atlas

Last Recorded: 2006

The year of last record of this species in the database.

Atlas

Updated: Updated 09 Jan 2007

The date on which this map was captured. It will show all records entered into the MothsIreland database before this date.

Atlas

Phenology: Records max of 146 in week 29

This is a bar chart based on adult records. Each bar represents a week. The text gives the the highest weekly total of records. This bar chart is a good indicator of flight time. It must be noted, that since records are from a geographically large area, flights times may vary between regions and it is most heavily influenced by areas from where there are more records.

Atlas

Northern Ireland:

The MothsIreland database does not contain the Northern Ireland dataset, hence the lack of coverage in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland dataset is held by CEDaR and provides the information for the Butterflies and Moths of Northern Ireland website.

Atlas

©Angus Tyner 2007