North Wales Lepidoptera Database

This online database contains all available* butterfly and moth records from the six vice-counties of North Wales: Montgomeryshire (VC47), Merionethshire (VC48), Caernarvonshire (VC49), Denbighshire (VC50), Flintshire (VC51) and Anglesey (VC52). (To see a map of the vice-counties click here).

These records are based on observations of more than 1,011,736 individual butterflies and moths. The table below shows the current number of records from each vice-county along with the number of species recorded. Note that these figures merely reflect the current contents of the database rather the true numbers for North Wales.

North Wales totals VC47 VC48 VC49 VC50 VC51 VC52
No. of micro-moths recorded 870 442 686 716 121* 6* 480
No. of macro-moths recorded 607 498 544 502 540 317 431
No. of butterflies recorded 46 28* 46 36 29* 28* 36
Total no. of spp recorded** 1524 968 1276 1254 691 351 947
Total no. of records 334,451 79,564 103,297 84,545 35,129 4,344 27,534

* Only a few casual records included.

** This figure is imprecise as a few species are included in the database which have not been independently verified and could be be incorrect. Also a few taxa that are included which are now considered to be forms rather than separate species (e.g. Scarce Footman and Northern Footman)

 

 

 

The records for each species can be examined as text and may also be plotted as dot distribution maps which include a flight time histogram. The records may also be viewed on Google Maps, allowing a closer look at any area of particular interest. All the plots are generated in real time by the server whenever a request is received - a process which may give rise to a noticeable delay, especially for commoner species with more records.

For many species there are one or more photographs, almost all of which were taken locally. This web site is not intended as an identification guide (though the information and photographs may help). Instead links are given to other web sites which contain more general information.

Please bear in mind that there are always likely to be errors present in any database. It would be prudent to contact the appropriate VC Recorder for help in interpreting the data.

All butterfly and moth records are of interest. Please send them, in any form convenient, to the appropriate Vice County Recorder. (The preferred format is as an Excel spreadsheet with the records listed, row by row). Contact details for the county recorders can be found here. Remember that records sent anywhere other than to the county recorders may never be entered into the county databases. (The county recorders do not monitor the sightings page on the North Wales BC Branch website or any other internet forums or chat groups).

Note that, in common with many other websites, this one requires your browser to 'accept cookies'. This functionality is needed simply to store temporary variables used in the behind-the-scenes processing. These are deleted at the end of your session.

Please get in touch if you have any comments or suggestions for improvements.

Andrew Graham                                                                    

*  Not all records from recent years have yet been collated. Also, some of the county datasets are currently unavailable. The records that are included are shown in the table below.

VC47 VC48 VC49 VC50 VC51 VC52
Butterflies withheld up to date up to end 2007 not included a few up to end 2007
Moths up to date up to date up to end 2008 up to date (macros only) a few up to end 2005