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 a work in continual progress 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: 73.342 bf 2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)
The numbers refer to checklist numbers. 73.342 is the number from “A checklist of the Lepidoptera of the British Isles” by Agassiz, D.J.L., Beavan, S.D. & Heckford R.J. 2013, often referred to as ABH number. ABH numbers have replaced the Bradley & Fletcher (bf 2107) coding system from  (“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.
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. The status of each species is due for review
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.
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- 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 as regularly or very restricted in range, e.g. the Burren.
- Rare Rarely encountered
- 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
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- Adventive Accidental import perhaps with fruit & veg or with imported plants
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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 including off shore islands.
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.
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 many of the light blue dots reflects Ken’s recording during this period.
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 relatively very few pre 1970 records have been entered.
Records: 15713
The total number of records in the MothsIreland database of this species
Individuals: 211161
The total number of individuals of this species represented in the records in the MothsIreland database of this species
10km Squares: 637
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.
Earliest: 04-21 (Apr-21 2011)
The earliest date that the species has been recorded as an adult. This is in format MM-DD (MMM-DD YYYY) There are many errors due to incorrect stage, such as adult instead of caterpillar recorded in the database. Correcting these is ongoing.
Latest: 11-25 (Nov-25 2011)
The latest date that the species has been recorded as an adult. This is in format MM-DD (MMM-DD YYYY) There are many errors due to incorrect stage, such as adult instead of caterpillar recorded in the database. Correcting these is ongoing.
Last Recorded: 2015
The year of last record of this species in the database.
Updated: Updated 21 Nov 2015
The date on which this map was captured. It will show all records entered into the MothsIreland database before this date.
Phenology: Records max of 1405 in week 32
This is a bar chart based on adult records. Each bar represents a week. The text gives 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.
Northern Ireland:
The MothsIreland database contains a copy of the Northern Ireland dataset to 2013. The Northern Ireland dataset is held and managed by the Northern Ireland Moth Committee and shared with CEDaR and provides the information for the
Butterflies and Moths of Northern Ireland website.