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 1,389,690 individual butterflies and moths. The table below summarises the current number of records from each vice-county along with the number of species recorded. (NEW FEATURE. Full county lists can be viewed here). Note that these figures are based on the current contents of the database - which may not be up-to-date or complete.
| North Wales totals | VC47 | VC48 | VC49 | VC50 | VC51 | VC52 | |
| No. of micro-moths recorded | 927 | 467 | 694 | 728 | 672 | 284* | 515 |
| No. of macro-moths recorded | 611 | 501 | 555 | 510 | 542 | 323 | 448 |
| No. of butterflies recorded | 46 | 40 | 46 | 42 | 36* | 31* | 34 |
| Total no. of spp recorded** | 1586 | 1008 | 1295 | 1280 | 1250 | 639 | 997 |
| Total no. of records | 422,965 | 115,493 | 119,598 | 97,217 | 40,090 | 6,488 | 47,229 |
* 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 Vice-County Recorders can be found here:
Moths,
Butterflies. Alternatively, records can be sent to one or other of the
two Local Record Centres covering North Wales:
Note that, in common with many other websites, this one requires your browser to be 'javascript enabled' and to 'accept cookies'. The latter 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, not all of the county datasets have been made available for use on this website. The records that are included are shown in the table below.
| VC47 | VC48 | VC49 | VC50 | VC51 | VC52 | |
| Butterflies | up to end 2010 | up to date | up to end 2007 | not available | not available | up to end 2007 |
| Moths | up to end 2010 | up to date | up to end 2008. Some recent data. | up end 2009 (macros) up to date (micros) |
up to end 2009 (macros) | up to end 2005. Some data up to 2010 |
Many thanks to everyone who has helped make this website possible both by supplying datasets
and by commenting on layout and functionality. I am particularly grateful to
those of my fellow Vice County Recorders who have been generous in supplying their county datasets and
providing annual updates, to