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Checklists of Exmoor's Wildlife
In 1996 ENHS produced The Flora and Fauna of Exmoor National Park listing 8243 species which had been recorded. (Now out of print). Since then there have been a number of additions published annually in Exmoor Naturalist magazine. The following lists show what we have recorded so far and it is hoped there will be future updates.

Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
BUTTERFLIES
Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae OCCASIONALLY ABUNDANT BUT SEEMS TO HAVE DECREASED
Orange Tip Anthocharis cardamines COMMON BY HEDGEROWS.
Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus LOCAL
High Brown Fritillary Argynnis adippe RARE
Dark Green Fritillary Argynnis aglaja FORMERLY COMMON BUT DECLINED IN RECENT YEARS
Silver-washed Fritillary Argynnis paphia WOODLAND RIDES WHERE IT MAY BE SEEN ON BRAMBLE FLOWERS.
Brown Argus Aricia agestis MAY NO LONGER BE PRESENT.
Pearl Bordered Fritillary Boloria euphrosyne SERIOUSLY DECLINED.
Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Boloria selene LOCALLY COMMON IN LYN AND BARLE VALLEYS
Green Hairstreak Callophrys rubi IN AREAS OF GORSE.
Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus britanna LOCAL.
Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus ON AREAS OF HIGH MOORLAND
Clouded Yellow Colias croceus THIS WELL-KNOWN MIGRANT APPEARS IN MOST YEARS USUALLY IN MODERATE NUMBERS BUT OCCASIONALLY ABUNDANT.
Pale Clouded Yellow Colias hyale Single record only
Painted Lady Cynthia cardui NUMBERS VARY GREATLY FROM YEAR TO YEAR BUT OCCASIONALLY CAN BE ABUNDANT.
The Milkweed Danaus plexippus A NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES WHICH VERY RARELY WANDERS TO EXMOOR.
Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages Declined.
Marsh Fritillary Eurodryas aurinia FORMERLY PRESENT IN SMALL NUMBERS AT SEVERAL SITES BUT HAS DECLINED.
Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni USUALLY PRESENT IN EARLY AND LATE SUMMER BUT THESE ARE GENERALY WANDERING MALES. THE FOODPLANT IS VIRTUALLY ABSENT FROM EXMOOR.
Duke of Burgundy Fritillary Hamearis lucina AN EARLY RECORD FROM TIMBERSCOMBE 1900, PRESUMABLY ON PRIMROSE WHICH IS SOMETIMES USED AS A FOOD PLANT. PROBABLY NO LONGER OCCURS.
Grayling Hipparchia semele MOORLAND TRACKS/QUARRIES, ETC.
Peacock Inachis io Numbers fairly good.
White Admiral Ladoga camilla ITS CONTINUED PRESENCE IS VERY DOUBTFUL
Wall Lasiommata megera POSSIBLY DECREASING
Wood White Leptidea sinapis There are a number of records up to 1982 but none since.
Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas Regular in some heathland areas.
Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina Abundant in grassy areas.
Marbled White Melanargia galathea serena Very local.
Heath Fritillary Mellicta athalia THE LARGE NUMBER OF RECORDS REFLECTS THE ANNUAL MONITORING OF THIS BUTTERFLY BY ENHS MEMBERS WHO HAVE MONITORED THE 20 OR SO SITES SINCE THEY WERE DISCOVERED IN BIN COMBE BY ROGER BUTCHER/ENHS IN 1982 WHEN THERE WERE TENS OF THOUSANDS.
Camberwell Beauty Nymphalis antiopa ONE UNCONFIRMED RECORD.
Large Tortoiseshell Nymphalis polychloros EARLY RECORDS COULD REFER TO IMMIGRANTS. NOW UNLIKELY TO OCCUR.
Large Skipper Ochlodes venata faunus LOCAL
Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria GOOD NUMBERS. WOODLAND BORDERS.
Large White Pieris brassicae LOCAL POPULATIONS ARE REINFORCED BY IMMIGRANTS.
Green-veined White Pieris napi COMMON
Small White Pieris rapae LOCAL POPULATIONS ARE REINFORCED BY IMMIGRANTS.
Silver-studded Blue Plebejus argus RECORDED FROM MARTINHOE AREA 1968. AN UNCONFIRMED RECORD OF LARVAE IN 1978.
Comma Polygonia c-album INCREASED IN NUMBER
Common Blue Polyommatus icarus LOCALLY COMMON
Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus malvae DECREASED
Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus britanniae ABUNDANT. HEDGEROWS ETC.
Purple Hairstreak Quercusia quercus IN OLD OAK WOODS BUT OFTEN UNNOTICED AS THEY TEND TO REMAIN HIGH UP ON THE TREES.
White Letter Hairstreak Satyrium w-album VERY RARE.
Brown Hairstreak Thecla betulae AN EASILY OVERLOOKED SPECIES BEST LOCATED BY SEARCHING FOR THE EGGS ON OLD BLACKTHORN IN WINTER.
Essex Skipper Thymelicus lineola RECORDED FROM A SINGLE SITE IN VC5, 1992
Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris LOCAL.
Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta THIS SPECIES APPEARS TO HAVE OVERWINTERED IN RECENT YEARS
MACRO-MOTHS
Magpie Moth Abraxas grossulariata Common.
Clouded Magpie Abraxas sylvata Rare.
Dark Spectacle Abrostola trigemina Rare.
Spectacle Abrostola triplasia Very common.
Yellow-barred Brindle Acasis viretata Occasional.
Death's Head Hawk-moth Acherontia atropos Rare immigrant.
Yellow Horned Achlya flavicornis Common.
Sycamore Acronicta aceris Local.
Alder Moth Acronicta alni Fairly common.
Miller Acronicta leporina Uncommon.
Poplar Grey Acronicta megacephala Uncommon.
Grey Dagger Acronicta psi Common.
Knotgrass Acronicta rumicis Very common.
Dark Dagger Acronicta tridens Rare.
Portland Moth Actebia praecox MINEHEAD 1963.
Grey Birch Aethalura punctulata Minehead, 1959.
Scarce Umber Agriopis aurantiaria Uncommon
Spring Usher Agriopis leucophaearia Fairly common
Dotted Border Agriopis marginaria Common.
Convolvulus Hawk-moth Agrius convolvuli A rare immigrant. Several reported in 2003.
Brick Agrochola circellaris Fairly common.
Flounced Chestnut Agrochola helvola Fairly common.
Brown-spot Pinion Agrochola litura Occasional.
Red-line Quaker Agrochola lota Common.
Beaded Chestnut Agrochola lychnidis Very common.
Yellow-line Quaker Agrochola macilenta Very common.
Light Feathered Rustic Agrotis cinerea Rare.
Heart and Club Agrotis clavis Uncommon.
Heart and Dart Agrotis exclamationis Abundant.
Dark Sword-grass Agrotis ipsilon Common immigrant.
Shuttle Shaped Dart Agrotis puta Common.
Turnip Moth Agrotis segetum Common.
Crescent Dart Agrotis trux lunigera Fairly common.
Archer's Dart Agrotis vestigialis Very rare.
Dotted Carpet Alcis jubata Very local
Mottled Beauty Alcis repandata Abundant.
Mottled Beauty Alcis repandata repandata  
Green-brindled Crescent Allophyes oxyacanthae Common.
March Moth Alsophila aescularia Very common.
Saltern Ear Amphipoea fucosa paludis Fairly common.
Large Ear Amphipoea lucens A MOORLAND SPECIES OF WESTERN & NORTHERN BRITAIN. Uncommon.
Ear Moth Amphipoea oculea Fairly common.
Svensson's Copper Underwing Amphipyra berbera svensson Occasional.
Copper Underwing Amphipyra pyramidea Fairly common.
Mouse Moth Amphipyra tragopoginis Occasional.
Green Arches Anaplectoides prasina Common.
Beautiful Yellow Underwing Anarta myrtilli Frequently encountered flying rapidly over heather moorland. Common.
Orange Moth Angerona prunaria Very rare.
Shoulder Stripe Anticlea badiata Abundant.
Streamer Anticlea derivata Common.
Large Nutmeg Apamea anceps Very local.
Clouded-bordered Brindle Apamea crenata Common.
Clouded Brindle Apamea epomidion Fairly common.
Confused Apamea furva britannica Uncommon.
Light Arches Apamea lithoxylea Fairly common.
Dark Arches Apamea monoglypha Abundant.
Crescent Striped Apamea oblonga PORLOCK 1949
Double Lobed Apamea ophiogramma Rare.
Dusky Brocade Apamea remissa Occasional.
Slender Brindle Apamea scolopacina Fairly common.
Rustic Shoulder-knot Apamea sordens Rare.
Reddish Light Arches Apamea sublustris Rare.
Small Clouded Brindle Apamea unanimis Single record only.
Lilac Beauty Apeira syringaria Uncommon.
Treble Bar Aplocera plagiata Occasional.
Small Brindled Beauty Apocheima hispidaria SELWORTHY, 1973
Pale Brindled Beauty Apocheima pilosaria Fairly common.
Black Rustic Aporophyla nigra Common.
Twin-spotted Wainscot Archanara geminipuncta Very local.
Webb's Wainscot Archanara sparganii  
Orange Underwing Archiearis parthenias Flies in sunshine, mostly high up, at the edges of birch woods and can easily be missed. Rare.
Garden Tiger Arctia caja Common.
Cream-spot Tiger Arctia villica britannica Fairly common.
Fen Wainscot Arenostola phragmitidis Very rare.
Yellow Belle Aspitates ochrearia Rare.
Small White Wave Asthena albulata Occasional.
Centre-barred Sallow Atethmia centrago Fairly common.
Red-necked Footman Atolmis rubricollis Rare.
Gold Spangle Autographa bractea ONLY RECORD TRACED WAS FROM MORTEHOE (NOT EXMOOR).
Silver Y Autographa gamma FLIES BY DAY AND NIGHT. Abundant immigrant.
Plain Golden Y Autographa jota Fairly common.
Beautiful Golden Y Autographa pulchrina Common.
Flame Axylia putris Common.
Scarce Silver-lines Bena prasinana Rare.
Peppered Moth Biston betularia Famous for the melanic forms produced in industrial areas. The very black form (carbonaria Jordan) occasionally turns up, as well as the partially melanic form insularia. Common.
Oak Beauty Biston strataria Common.
Sprawler Brachionycha sphinx Very local.
Minor Shoulder-knot Brachylomia viminalis Uncommon.
Bordered White Bupalus piniaria Fairly common.
Common Wave Cabera exanthemata Very common.
Common White Wave Cabera pusaria Very common.
Mother Shipton Callistege mi Rare.
Pale Tussock Calliteara pudibunda Common.
Light Emerald Campaea margaritata Very common.
Yellow Shell Camptogramma bilineata bilineata Common.
Pale Mottled Willow Caradrina clavipalpis Common.
Mottled Rustic Caradrina morpheus Common.
Royal Mantle Catarhoe cuculata Rare.
Ruddy Carpet Catarhoe rubidata Very rare.
Red Underwing Catocala nupta Rare.
Haworth's Minor Celaena haworthii Single record. Not recent.
Crescent Celaena leucostigma Rare.
Little Thorn Cepphis advenaria NETTLECOMBE, 1973.
Broom Moth Ceramica pisi Very common.
Antler Cerapteryx graminis Numbers vary considerably from year to year. Can be a pest of upland pasture.
White-marked Cerastis leucographa SELWORTHY 1964
Red Chestnut Cerastis rubricosa Common.
Puss Moth Cerura vinula Fairly common.
Treble Lines Charanyca trigrammica Common.
Streak Chesias legatella Very rare.
Broom-tip Chesias rufata Recorded from Minehead, 1963.
Silky Wainscot Chilodes maritimus A species of reed beds once recorded from Porlock Marsh, probably now gone.
Dark Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta citrata Fairly common.
Autumn Green Carpet Chloroclysta miata Rare.
Red-green Carpet Chloroclysta siterata Common.
Common Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta truncata Abundant.
Bilberry Pug Chloroclystis debiliata Scarce.
Green Pug Chloroclystis rectangulata Fairly common.
V-Pug Chloroclystis v-ata Fairly common.
Golden Twin-spot Chrysodeixis chalcites SELWORTHY, 1967. Very rare immigrant.
Barred Yellow Cidaria fulvata Common.
Chinese Character Cilix glaucata  
Brussels Lace Cleorodes lichenaria Local.
Chocolate-tip Clostera curtula Rare.
Small Rufous Coenobia rufa Very rare.
Nut-tree Tussock Colocasia coryli Fairly common.
Mottled Grey Colostigia multistrigaria Fairly common.
Beech-green Carpet Colostygia olivata Rare
Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria Very common
Feathered Thorn Colotois pennaria Very common.
Blotched Emerald Comibaena bajularia Fairly common.
Dark Chestnut Conistra ligula Uncommon.
Dotted Chestnut Conistra rubiginea Not recorded in Somerset until recent years. The first Exmoor records were of two post-hibernation examples at Porlock in 1993.
Chestnut Conistra vaccinii Very common.
Lesser-spotted Pinion Cosmia affinis Occasional
White-spotted Pinion Cosmia diffinis MINEHEAD 1962
Lunar-spotted Pinion Cosmia pyralina Rare.
Dun-bar Cosmia trapezina Very common.
Purple Bar Cosmorhoe ocellata Common.
Coronet Craniophora ligustri Fairly common.
Scalloped Oak Crocallis elinguaria Common.
Marbled Beauty Cryphia domestica Common.
Marbled Green Cryphia muralis Rare.
Wormwood Cucullia absinthii Very rare.
Chamomile Shark Cucullia chamomillae Rare.
Shark Cucullia umbratica Common.
Mullein Cucullia verbasci Uncommon.
Four-dotted Footman Cybosia mesomella Fairly common.
Mocha Cyclophora annulata a beautiful moth, recorded on only two occasions in 1963 and 1994. Very rare.
Clay Triple-lines Cyclophora linearia Uncommon.
False Mocha Cyclophora porata Last recorded 1971
Maiden's Blush Cyclophora punctaria Fairly common.
Oak Lutestring Cymatophorima diluta hartwiegi Common
Brindled Ochre Dasypolia templi BOSSINGTON HILL 1947; PORLOCK WEIR 1973. Very rare.
Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila elpenor Very common.
Small Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila porcellus Fairly common.
Satin Beauty Deileptenia ribeata Rare
Silver Hook Deltote uncula WITHYPOOL, 1962
Burnished Brass Diachrysia chrysitis Common.
Clouded Buff Diacrisia sannio Males may be disturbed during the day from heather moorland, females are less often seen. Fairly common.
Muslin Moth Diaphora mendica The white females fly by day and look very different from the brown males. Common.
Purple Clay Diarsia brunnea Common.
Barred Chestnut Diarsia dahlii Rare.
Ingrailed Clay Diarsia mendica mendica Very common.
Small Square-spot Diarsia rubi Very common.
Merveille du Jour Dichonia aprilina Uncommon.
Figure of Eight Diloba caeruleocephala Very local.
Nutmeg Discestra trifolii Uncommon.
Blomer's Rivulet Discoloxia blomeri Very rare
Oak Hook-tip Drepana binaria Common
Barred Hook-tip Drepana cultraria Uncommon
Pebble Hook-tip Drepana falcataria Common
Marbled Brown Drymonia dodonaea Common.
Lunar Marbled Brown Drymonia ruficornis Common.
Brindled Green Dryobotodes eremita Fairly common.
Grey Scalloped Bar Dyscia fagaria Single record Selworthy Beacon, 1972
Small Phoenix Ecliptopera silaceata Common.
Engrailed Ectropis bistortata Uncommon.
Small Engrailed Ectropis crepuscularia Uncommon.
Silver Cloud Egira conspicillaris Single record.
Hoary Footman Eilema caniola Fairly common.
Scarce Footman Eilema complana Fairly common.
Buff Footman Eilema deplana Fairly common.
Dingy Footman Eilema griseola Fairly common.
Common Footman Eilema lurideola Aundant.
Orange Footman Eilema sororcula Rare.
Broken-barred Carpet Electrophaes corylata Fairly common.
Pebble Prominent Eligmodonta ziczac Common.
Common Heath Ematurga atomaria Common.
Angle-striped Sallow Enargia paleacea PORLOCK WEIR 1980Very rare immigrant.
Canary-shouldered Thorn Ennomos alniaria Very common.
September Thorn Ennomos erosaria Fairly common.
Dusky Thorn Ennomos fuscantaria Fairly common.
August Thorn Ennomos quercinaria Fairly common.
Grey Mountain Moth Entephria caesiata A north western species in Britain, occurring as far south as S. Wales, with occasional stragglers found on the coastal regions of Exmoor.
Bordered Beauty Epione repandaria Rare.
Common Carpet Epirrhoe alternata Very common.
Galium Carpet Epirrhoe galiata Uncommon.
Wood Carpet Epirrhoe rivata Rare.
Small Argent & Sable Epirrhoe tristata Very rare.
Autumnal Moth Epirrita autumnata Very common.
Pale November Moth Epirrita christyi Rare.
November Moth Epirrita dilutata Very common.
Mottled Umber Erannis defoliaria Very common.
Dusky Sallow Eremobia ochroleuca Rare.
Small Eggar Eriogaster lanestris There are two Exmoor records given on the distribution map in MBGBI (Heath & Emmet, 1991) Vol.7 p2, but it has not been possible to trace their source. The species has undergone a serious decline in recent years but is still present in Somerset.
Purple Marbled Eublemma ostrina Very rare immigrant.
Small Marbled Eublemma parva SELWORTHY, 1968.
Dingy Shell Euchoeca nebulata Uncommon.
Plain Clay Eugnorisma depuncta SELWORTHY 1973. Rare.
Spinach Eulithis mellinata Very common.
Northern Spinach Eulithis populata Very common.
Phoenix Eulithis prunata Fairly common.
Barred Straw Eulithis pyraliata Common.
Chevron Eulithis testata Fairly common.
Feathered Ranunculus Eumichtis lichenea lichenea Fairly common.
Feathered Ranunculus Eumichtis lichenea scillonea  
Cloaked Carpet Euphyia biangulata Common in the Porlock area.
Sharp-angled Carpet Euphyia unangulata Very rare.
Brindled Pug Eupithecia abbreviata Common.
Wormwood Pug Eupithecia absinthiata Common.
Currant Pug Eupithecia assimilata LUCKBARROW 1990
Lime-speck Pug Eupithecia centaureata Occasional.
Jasione Pug Eupithecia denotata jasioneata LYNMOUTH 1924.
Thyme Pug Eupithecia distinctaria constricta RECORDED IN 1924, 1947 & 1960 FROM EXMOOR.
Oak-tree Pug Eupithecia dodoneata Fairly common.
Mottled Pug Eupithecia exiguata Uncommon.
Bleached Pug Eupithecia expallidata Rare.
Ling Pug Eupithecia goossensiata Withycombe 1912 only.
Haworth's Pug Eupithecia haworthiata Uncommon.
Tawny-speckled Pug Eupithecia icterata Common.
Ochreous Pug Eupithecia indigata Uncommon.
Freyer's Pug Eupithecia intricata SINGLE RECORD, LUCKBARROW, 1998.
Maple Pug Eupithecia inturbata Very rare.
Larch Pug Eupithecia lariciata Local.
Toadflax Pug Eupithecia linariata Fairly common.
Narrow-winged Pug Eupithecia nanata angusta Common.
Cypress Pug Eupithecia phoeniceata The first British specimen was recorded in Cornwall in 1959. Has since spread along the coast and to some inland areas. Now fairly common.
Lead-coloured Pug Eupithecia plumbeolata Uncommon.
Foxglove Pug Eupithecia pulchellata Common.
Marsh Pug Eupithecia pygmaeata Withycombe, 1912.
Satyr Pug Eupithecia satyrata Withycombe, 1912.
Plain Pug Eupithecia simpliciata Rare.
Grey Pug Eupithecia subfuscata Common.
Bordered Pug Eupithecia succenturiata Uncommon.
Dwarf Pug Eupithecia tantillaria Occasional.
Slender Pug Eupithecia tenuiata Uncommon.
White-spotted Pug Eupithecia tripunctaria Fairly common.
Valerian Pug Eupithecia valerianata Scarce.
Netted Pug Eupithecia venosata Rare.
Golden-rod Pug Eupithecia virgaureata Rare.
Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata Very common.
Small Angle Shades Euplexia lucipara Common.
Brown-tail Euproctis chrysorrhoea Locally common.
Yellow-tail Euproctis similis Fairly common.
Satellite Eupsilia transversa Common.
Drinker Euthrix potatoria Larvae can be very common in damp, low-lying areas of the moor.
Garden Dart Euxoa nigricans Uncommon.
Square-spot Dart Euxoa obelisca grisea Rare.
White-line Dart Euxoa tritici Uncommon.
Scalloped Hook-tip Falcaria lacertinaria Common.
Alder Kitten Furcula bicuspis Very rare.
Poplar Kitten Furcula bifida Very rare.
Sallow Kitten Furcula furcula Uncommon.
Lappet Gastropacha quercifolia Rare
Large Emerald Geometra papilionaria Common.
Annulet Gnophos obscurata Occasional.
Frosted Orange Gortyna flavago Common.
Double Dart Graphiphora augur Very rare.
Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata Abundant.
Buff Arches Habrosyne pyritoides Very common
Shears Hada nana Common.
Lychnis Hadena bicruris Common.
Marbled Coronet Hadena confusa Rare.
Barrett's Marbled Coronet Hadena luteago barrettii SELWORTHY 1964
Tawny Shears Hadena perplexa Uncommon.
Campion Hadena rivularis Fairly common.
Broad-barred White Hecatera bicolorata Uncommon.
Scarce Bordered Straw Helicoverpa armigera Rare immigrant.
Eastern Bordered Straw Heliothis nubigera  
Bordered Straw Heliothis peltigera Uncommon immigrant
Marbled Clover Heliothis viriplaca WITHYCOMBE 1912
Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk Hemaris tityus Very rare.
Small Emerald Hemistola chrysoprasaria Uncommon.
Common Emerald Hemithea aestivaria Very common.
Fan-foot Herminea tarsipennalis Common.
Small Fan-foot Herminia grisealis Very common.
Uncertain Hoplodrina alsines Common.
Vine's Rustic Hoplodrina ambigua Common.
Rustic Hoplodrina blanda Common.
The Fern Horisme tersata Uncommon.
Small Waved Umber Horisme vitalbata Rare.
Rosy Rustic Hydraecia micacea Common.
Small Yellow Wave Hydrelia flammeolaria Common.
Waved Carpet Hydrelia sylvata Very rare.
July Highflyer Hydriomena furcata A very variable species. Common.
May Highflyer Hydriomena impluviata Rare.
Ruddy Highflyer Hydriomena ruberata Rare.
Barred Red Hylaea fasciaria Common.
Striped Hawk-moth Hyles lineata livornica Minehead, 1965.
Pine Hawk-moth Hyloicus pinastri MINEHEAD, 1960
Beautiful Snout Hypena crassalis Although rather local in Britain as a whole, it is fairly common on Exmoor moorland since the larvae feed on Whortleberry.
Snout Hypena proboscidalis Being double brooded, this very common moth may be seen throughout the summer until October.
Buttoned Snout Hypena rostralis Rare.
Pale Oak Beauty Hypomecis punctinalis Scarce.
Riband Wave Idaea aversata Abundant.
Small Fan-footed Wave Idaea biselata Very common.
Single-dotted Wave Idaea dimidiata Common.
Small Scallop Idaea emarginata Very rare.
Dwarf Cream Wave Idaea fuscovenosa Common.
Small Dusty Wave Idaea seriata Fairly common.
Plain Wave Idaea straminata Common.
Satin Wave Idaea subsericeata Fairly common.
Dotted-border Wave Idaea sylvestraria Rare.
Treble Brown Spot Idaea trigeminata Very common.
Double Kidney Ipimorpha retusa Rare.
Olive Ipimorpha subtusa Uncommon.
Orange Upperwing Jodia croceago Very rare.
Little Emerald Jodis lactearia Uncommon.
Beautiful Brocade Lacanobia contigua Uncommon.
Bright-line Brown-eye Lacanobia oleracea Common.
Dog's Tooth Lacanobia suasa Fairly common.
Pale-shouldered Brocade Lacanobia thalassina Common.
Light Brocade Lacanobia w-latinum Fairly common.
Devon Carpet Lampropteryx otregiata Very local.
Water Carpet Lampropteryx suffumata Common.
Poplar Hawk-moth Laothoe populi Very common.
Mallow Larentia clavaria Rare.
Oak Eggar Lasiocampa quercus Fairly common
Northern Eggar Lasiocampa quercus callunae Common.
Grass Eggar Lasiocampa trifolii A single (unconfirmed) record from N. Devon, 1984.
Beautiful Hook-tip Laspeyria flexula Very local.
Scorched Carpet Ligdia adustata Very common.
Marbled White Spot Lithacodia pygarga Very local. (Syn. Protodeltote pygarga)
Pale Pinion Lithophane hepatica Occasional.
Blair's Shoulder-knot Lithophane leautieri hesperica First recorded 1951 on the Isle of Wight, this moth has gradually increased its range. Fairly common.
Grey Shoulder-knot Lithophane ornitopus lactipennis Occasional.
Tawny Pinion Lithophane semibrunnea Rare.
Four-spotted Footman Lithosia quadra Occasional.
Seraphim Lobophora halterata Uncommon.
Clouded Border Lomaspilis marginata Very common.
White-pinion Spotted Lomographa bimaculata Uncommon.
Clouded Silver Lomographa temerata Fairly common.
Flounced Rustic Luperina testacea Very Common.
Brindled Beauty Lycia hirtaria Uncommon.
True Lover's Knot Lycophotia porphyrea Very common.
Scarce Blackneck Lygephila craccae Very local as is the foodplant (Wood Vetch)
Blackneck Lygephila pastinum PORLOCK WEIR 1976.
Black Arches Lymantria monacha Common.
Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum Occurs in most years and is sometimes fairly common. It is fond of feeding on the flowers of Red Valerian.
Fox Moth Macrothylacia rubi Larvae are often encountered on Exmoor tracks in Spring, en route to a suitable pupation site.
Lackey Malacosoma neustria Rare
Cabbage Moth Mamestra brassicae Common.
Dot Moth Melanchra persicariae Very Common.
Pretty Chalk Carpet Melanthia procellata Uncommon.
Waved Umber Menophra abruptaria Fairly common.
Lesser Common Rustic Mesapamea didyma Common. (?)
Common Rustic Mesapamea secalis Very common.
Beautiful Carpet Mesoleuca albicillata Uncommon.
Cloaked Minor Mesoligia furuncula Common.
Rosy Minor Mesoligia literosa Fairly common.
Rosy Footman Miltochrista miniata Very common.
Lime Hawk-moth Mimas tiliae Uncommon.
Dark Brocade Mniotype adusta PORLOCK WEIR 1973.
Old Lady Mormo maura Since this striking moth seldom comes to light, it is likely to be under-recorded.
White Point Mythimna albipuncta Rare immigrant.
Shoulder-striped Wainscot Mythimna comma Fairly common.
Brown-line Bright Eye Mythimna conigera Rare.
Clay Mythimna ferrago Common.
Smoky Wainscot Mythimna impura Very common.
Shore Wainscot Mythimna litoralis MINEHEAD 1958
Common Wainscot Mythimna pallens Very common.
Striped Wainscot Mythimna pudorina Rare.
Devonshire Wainscot Mythimna putrescens Rare.
Southern Wainscot Mythimna straminea Uncommon.
Double Line Mythimna turca Rare.
White-speck Mythimna unipuncta Rare immigrant.
Delicate Mythimna vitellina Uncommon immigrant.
Gothic Naenia typica Rare.
Striped Twin-spot Carpet Nebula salicata latentaria Very rare.
Lesser Yellow Underwing Noctua comes Very common.
Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua fimbriata Common.
Least Yellow Underwing Noctua interjecta caliginosa Fairly common.
Lesser Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua janthe Very common.
Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba Abundant.
Least Black Arches Nola confusalis Common.
Short-cloaked Moth Nola cucullatella Rare.
Bulrush Wainscot Nonagria typhae Rare.
Iron Prominent Notodonta dromedarius Common.
Muslin Footman Nudaria mundana Fairly common.
Oak Nycteoline Nycteola revayana Rare.
Common Lutestring Ochropacha duplaris Common.
Flame Shoulder Ochropleura plecta Very common.
Chimney Sweeper Odezia atrata Local.
Scalloped Hazel Odontopera bidentata Common.
Middle-barred Minor Oligia fasciuncula Common.
Tawny Marbled Minor Oligia latruncula Common.
Marbled Minor Oligia strigilis Fairly common.
Rufous Minor Oligia versicolor Common.
Lunar Underwing Omphaloscelis lunosa Very common.
Winter Moth Operophtera brumata Visits lighted windows during mild weather throughout the winter, often in large numbers.
Northern Winter Moth Operophtera fagata Rare.
Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata Abundant.
Vapourer Orgyia antiqua Males fly in sunshine but the females are wingless. Scarce.
Gem Orthonama obstipata Rare immigrant.
Oblique Carpet Orthonama vittata Very rare.
Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi Very common.
Small Quaker Orthosia cruda Abundant.
Hebrew Character Orthosia gothica Very common.
Powdered Quaker Orthosia gracilis Common.
Clouded Drab Orthosia incerta Common.
Blossom Underwing Orthosia miniosa Very rare.
Twin-spotted Quaker Orthosia munda Common.
Northern Drab Orthosia opima MINEHEAD 1958
Swallow-tailed Moth Ourapteryx sambucaria Common.
Horse Chestnut Pachycnemia hippocastanaria Common.
Small Yellow Underwing Panemeria tenebrata PORLOCK WEIR 1988.
Pine Beauty Panolis flammea Rare.
Glaucous Shears Papestra biren Very rare.
Square Spot Paradarisa consonaria Rare.
Brindled White-spot Paradarisa extersaria Rare.
Autumnal Rustic Paradiarsia glareosa glareosa Fairly common.
Wood Tiger Parasemia plantaginis Very local.
Suspected Parastichtis suspecta Single record only.
Dingy Shears Parastichtis ypsillon Very rare.
Emperor Pavonia pavonia Males may be seen dashing over the heather moors in sunshine. The females fly at night, sometimes coming to light. Fairly common.
Grass Wave Perconia strigillaria Uncommon.
Willow Beauty Peribatodes rhomboidaria Very common.
Great Prominent Peridea anceps Common.
Pearly Underwing Peridroma saucia Fairly common immigrant.
Rivulet Perizoma affinitata Fairly common.
Grass Rivulet Perizoma albulata Rare.
Small Rivulet Perizoma alchemillata Fairly common.
Barred Rivulet Perizoma bifaciata Very local.
Twin-spot Carpet Perizoma didymata Fairly common on moorland.
Sandy Carpet Perizoma flavofasciata Common.
Barred Carpet Perizoma taeniata Rare. Probably on mosses.
Brown Silver-line Petrophora chlorosata ABUNDANT IN AREAS OF DENSE BRACKEN.
Buff-tip Phalera bucephala Very common.
Lesser Swallow Prominent Pheosia gnoma Very common.
Swallow Prominent Pheosia tremula Common.
Brown Scallop Philereme vetulata Rare.
Angle Shades Phlogophora meticulosa Very common.
Small Dotted Buff Photedes minima Uncommon.
Small Wainscot Photedes pygmina Fairly common.
Ruby Tiger Phragmatobia fuliginosa Fairly common.
Small Lappet Phyllodesma ilicifolia The occurrence of this rare, possibly extinct, species rests on two (unconfirmed) records of larvae, one from Lynton in 1864 and the other from Porlock in 1938. It was last taken in Britain in 1965 at Weston Super Mare.
Small Purple-barred Phytometra viridaria Occasional. A heath and moorland species which feeds on Milkwort.
Scorched Wing Plagodis dolabraria Common.
Barred Umber Plagodis pulveraria Common.
Blue-bordered Carpet Plemyria rubiginata MINEHEAD 1958 & LUCKBARROW 1996.
Gold Spot Plusia festucae Uncommon.
December Moth Poecilocampa populi Common
Grey Arches Polia nebulosa Common.
Golden Plusia Polychrysia moneta MINEHEAD 1965
Large Ranunculus Polymixis flavicincta Uncommon.
Frosted Green Polyploca ridens Fairly common.
Green Silver-lines Pseudoips fagana britannica Fairly common.
Speckled Yellow Pseudopanthera macularia This common species flies in sunshine and is not seen at light.
Grass Emerald Pseudoterpna pruinata atropunctaria Common.
Small Seraphim Pterapherapteryx sexalata Uncommon.
Pale Prominent Pterostoma palpina Common.
Coxcomb Prominent Ptilodon capucina Fairly common
Maple Prominent Ptilodontella cucullina Rare.
Bordered Sallow Pyrrhia umbra Rare.
Argent and Sable Rheumaptera hastata Single record, Barle Valley, 1985.
Scallop Shell Rheumaptera undulata Perhaps the most strikingly marked of the carpets. Scarce
Large Wainscot Rhizedra lutosa Rare.
Vestal Rhodometra sacraria Rare immigrant.
Straw Dot Rivula sericealis Fairly common.
Brown Rustic Rusina ferruginea Common.
Pinion-streaked Snout Schrankia costaestrigalis Occasioal
White lined Snout Schrankia taenialis SELWORTHY 1971
Herald Scoliopteryx libatrix Adults may be found hibernating, sometimes in numbers, in old sheds, barns & outhouses. Fairly common.
Cream Wave Scopula floslactata Very common.
Small Blood-vein Scopula imitaria Fairly common.
Lesser Cream Wave Scopula immutata Single record 1983, Treborough Wood only.
Mullein Wave Scopula marginepunctata Local
Smoky Wave Scopula ternata A northern species, generally rare in the south-west and only common on Exmoor.
Shaded Broad-bar Scotopteryx chenopodiata Fairly common.
July Belle Scotopteryx luridata plumbaria Very common.
Lead Belle Scotopteryx mucronata Common.
Early Thorn Selenia dentaria Very common.
Lunar Thorn Selenia lunularia Fairly common.
Purple Thorn Selenia tetralunaria Fairly common.
Sharp-angled Peacock Semiothisa alternaria Fairly common.
Latticed Heath Semiothisa clathrata Very rare
Tawny-barred Angle Semiothisa liturata Common.
Peacock Moth Semiothisa notata Uncommon.
V-Moth Semiothisa wauaria Recorded from Minehead, 1957.
Pale Oak Beauty Serraca punctinalis  
White Colon Sideridis albicolon MINEHEAD 1963
Eyed Hawk-moth Smerinthus ocellata Fairly common.
Stout Dart Spaelotis ravida SELWORTHY 1968.
Privet Hawk-moth Sphinx ligustri Fairly common.
White Ermine Spilosoma lubricipeda Very common.
Buff Ermine Spilosoma luteum Very common.
Water Ermine Spilosoma urticae Single record only.
Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua Rare immigrant.
Northern Rustic Standfussiana lucernea A northern species which just reached the Exmoor coast at Countisbury in 1971.
Lobster Moth Stauropus fagi Fairly common.
Anomalous Stilbia anomala Fairly common.
Figure of Eighty Tethea ocularis octogesimea Uncommon.
Satin Lutestring Tetheella fluctuosa Assumed to be a wanderer, as the nearest known colony is in S. Wales. Taken at light in 1994 at Porlock.
Straw Underwing Thalpophila matura MINEHEAD 1958
Spruce Carpet Thera britannica Abundant.
Pine Carpet Thera firmata Common.
Grey Pine Carpet Thera obeliscata Common.
Early Moth Theria primaria Occasional.
Hedge Rustic Tholera cespitis Uncommon.
Feathered Gothic Tholera decimalis Occasional.
Peach Blossom Thyatira batis Common.
Blood-vein Timandra griseata Common.
Pale Eggar Trichiura crataegi Very rare
The Ni Moth Trichoplusia ni Very rare immigrant.
Early Tooth-striped Trichopteryx carpinata Common.
Tissue Triphosa dubitata Hibernates in caves or outbuildings, often in large numbers. A wanderer on Exmoor owing to the absence of the food plants (Rhamnus and Frangula) Rare.
Cinnabar Tyria jacobaeae Common.
Crimson Speckled Utetheisa pulchella Minehead 1961. Very rare immigrant.
Welsh Wave Venusia cambrica A northern moorland species whose range extends to S.W. England. Rare.
Barred Sallow Xanthia aurago Uncommon.
Orange Sallow Xanthia citrago Very rare.
Dusky-lemon Sallow Xanthia gilvago Very rare.
Sallow Xanthia icteritia Uncommon.
Pink-barred Sallow Xanthia togata Rare.
Flame Carpet Xanthorhoe designata Common.
Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe ferrugata Common.
Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata Very common.
Silver-ground Carpet Xanthorhoe montanata Very common.
Red Twin-spot Carpet Xanthorhoe spadicearia Abundant
Heath Rustic Xestia agathina Uncommon.
Dotted Clay Xestia baja Common.
Neglected Rustic Xestia castanea Uncommon.
Setaceous Hebrew Character Xestia c-nigrum Very common.
Triple-spotted Clay Xestia ditrapezium Common.
Square-spotted Clay Xestia rhomboidea Rare. Only one record.
Six-striped Rustic Xestia sexstrigata Common.
Double Square-spot Xestia triangulum Very common.
Square-spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa Very common.
Sword-grass Xylena exsoleta Uncommon.
Red Sword-grass Xylena vetusta Rare.
Early Grey Xylocampa areola Common.
MICRO-MOTHS
Water Veneer Acentria nivea ON SUBMERGED AQUATIC VEGETATION. ON HOT SUMMER NIGHTS, LARGE SWARMS OF THIS SP. MAY VISIT A LIGHT-TRAP, OFTEN FAR FROM WATER AND USUALLY ACCOMPANIED BY NUMBERS OF CORIXID BUGS.
Lesser Wax Moth Achroia grisella THE LARVAE FEED IN THE NESTS OF HYMENOPTERA. OCCASIONALLY AT LIGHT BUT MAY WELL BE MORE COMMON AS STATED TO COME RARELY TO LIGHT.
a tortrix moth Acleris aspersana ON POTENTILLA OR FRAGARIA.
a tortrix moth Acleris boscana ON ELMS
a tortrix moth Acleris caledoniana ON VACCINIUM
Strawberry Tortrix Acleris comariana On Fragraria etc.
a tortrix moth Acleris cristana ON PRUNUS, CRATAEGUS, ETC.
a tortrix moth Acleris emargana ON SALIX, POPULUS, ETC.
a tortrix moth Acleris ferrugana ON QUERCUS SPP
a tortrix moth Acleris hastiana ON SALIX. SINGLE RECORD.
a tortrix moth Acleris hyemana ON HEATHERS
a tortrix moth Acleris laterana ON VARIOUS SHRUBS
a tortrix moth Acleris literana ON QUERCUS SP.
a tortrix moth Acleris notana ON BIRCHES
Rhomboid Tortrix Acleris rhombana ON MANY SHRUBS
a tortrix moth Acleris sparsana ON ASH OR SYCAMORE
Garden Rose Tortrix Acleris variegana ON ROSES
a pyralid moth Acrobasis consociella ON OAKS
a pyralid moth Acrobasis repandana ON OAKS.
a pyralid moth Acrobasis tumidana  
a micro-moth Acrocercops brongniardella ON QUERCUS INC. Q.ILEX
a small ermine moth Acrolepia autumnitella Mines on Solanum dulcamara.
a longhorn moth Adela croesella PROBABLY ON LIGUSTRUM. SINGLE RECORD ONLY.
a longhorn moth Adela fibulella ON VERONICA CHAMAEDRYS
a longhorn moth Adela reamurella OFTEN SWARMS AROUND BUSHES
a longhorn moth Adela rufimitrella ON ALLIARIA PETIOLATA
Forester Adscita statices A SINGLE UNCONFIRMED RECORD FOR N.DEVON EXMOOR.
a micro-moth