Ghost Moth (Hepialus humuli ssp.humuli)
male, Calver © Steve Furness
A common and very distinctive grassland moth, the Ghost Moth is always a nice sight. Males are pure white, whereas females are yellow-orange.
Orange Swift (Hepialus sylvina)
Calver © Steve Furness
The Orange Swift is another widespread moth in Derbyshire, easily recognised by the orange 'V' mark on the forewings, formed by two angular grey and white lines.
Like other members of the Hepialidae, it favours grassy habitats.
Like other members of the Hepialidae, it favours grassy habitats.
Common Swift (Hepialus lupulinus)
© Steve Furness
This attractive moth is well-named, and is commonly-seen in the first half of summer. The white bead-like markings near the trailing edge of the forewings are quite distinctive, as is the overall uniform brown ground colour.
Map-winged Swift (Hepialus fusconebulosa)
© Steve Furness
© Steve Furness
The markings of this Hepialid are more colourful and sharp than the similar Common Swift - the trailing edge marks are white wedges and the ground colour is a patchwork of different shades of brown, hence the common name.
The Map-winged Swift is unusual among the four British members of the family in having a more northerly distribution.
The Map-winged Swift is unusual among the four British members of the family in having a more northerly distribution.
Fox Moth
caterpillar, Easter Moors
Cistus Forester (Adscita geryon)
Longstone Edge
Coombs Dale
Cressbrook Dale NNR
Derbyshire is a stronghold for this Nationally Scarce species. As its common name suggests, it is dependent on Rock Rose (Helianthemum nummularium) - a close relative of Cistus - as a foodplant. This is a plant of calcareous meadows, and the moth's distribution marks out chalk and limestone grassland in central and southern England.
The Cistus Forester closely resembles the other two British Foresters - the Forester, A.statices, and the Scarce Forester, Jordania globulariae. It can be distinguished them by its smaller size and fine details of the antennae tips.
In Derbyshire, the Forester inhabits non-calcareous habitats and the Scarce Forester is a restricted to small areas of the far south of England.
The Cistus Forester closely resembles the other two British Foresters - the Forester, A.statices, and the Scarce Forester, Jordania globulariae. It can be distinguished them by its smaller size and fine details of the antennae tips.
In Derbyshire, the Forester inhabits non-calcareous habitats and the Scarce Forester is a restricted to small areas of the far south of England.
Six-spot Burnet (Zygaena filipendulae ssp.stephensii)
Coombs Dale SSSI
This lovely day-flying moth is described in the Moths of other parts of Dorset section of the site.
Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet (Zygaena lonicerae ssp.latomarginata)
Calver © Steve Furness
This species is described in the Moths of other parts of Dorset section of the site, along with the Five-spot Burnet, Z.trifolii, which is absent from Derbyshire, making identification much easier here than in southern England!
Pebble Hook-tip (Drepana falcataria ssp.falcataria)
Calver © Steve Furness
This species is described in the Moths of Wicken Fen NNR section of the site.
Chinese Character (Cilix glaucata)
Calver © Steve Furness
This widespread species is described in the Moths of Wicken Fen NNR section of the site.
Peach Blossom (Thyatira batis)
Calver © Steve Furness
desc
Buff Arches (Habrosyne pyritoides)
+2
This common species is described in the Moths of Wicken Fen NNR section of the site.
Figure of Eighty (Tethea ocularis ssp.octogesima)
Chesterfield
Named for the white and black markings in the centre of each forewing, this moth is common in wooded areas in most of lowland England.
Common Lutestring (Ochropachia duplaris)
This close relative of the Figure of Eighty is much more plainly-marked. The easiest diagnostic feature to see is the pair of small black dots in the centre of each forewing.
The Common Lutestring is widespread in lowland Britain but most common in southern counties.
The Common Lutestring is widespread in lowland Britain but most common in southern counties.
March Moth (Alsophila aescularia)
Matlock
Britain's only member of the Alsophilinae, the March Moth has an unusual profile, with a bold triangular shape and wings broadly overlapping when at rest.
As its name suggests, this species is most abundant in March, but begins to emerge in late February. Its larvae feed on broad-leaved trees and shrubs, and it is a common moth in well-vegetated areas.
As its name suggests, this species is most abundant in March, but begins to emerge in late February. Its larvae feed on broad-leaved trees and shrubs, and it is a common moth in well-vegetated areas.
grass emerald?
Large Emerald (Geometra papilionaria)
Calver © Steve Furness
Common Emerald (Hemithea aestivaria)
Calver © Steve Furness
Small Fan-footed Wave (Idaea biselata)
+1 sf
This very common, little geometrid can be seen across lowland Britain. Although similar to other Idaea species, it can be recognised by the black forewing dots being inside the cross-line that curves below it and by the darker, mottled bands near the trailing edge of the wings.
Single-dotted Wave (Idaea dimidiata)
Calver
Calver © Steve Furness
This small moth is widespread in England. While other Idaea species also have single dots on their forewings, no other British species have a pronounced dark, blotchy area at the corner of the trailing egde, next to the body.
Riband Wave (Idaea aversata)
Chesterfield
Calver © Steve Furness
The most widespread of Britain's Sterrhinae moths, the Riband Wave is found throughout lowland areas of the country. The colour of this moth is variable, but the pattern of three kinked cross-lines is consistent. Here in Derbyshire, the form with a grey cross-band is the usual form seen.
Flame Carpet (Xanthorhoe designata)
Calver © Steve Furness
This very widespread species is one of the more strikingly-coloured carpet species. It is fairly similar to the closely-related Red Carpet (X.decoloraria) but that species has a more reddish band with only thin black borders and a single projection on the trailing edge of the cross-band. Also, the Red Carpet is very rare in Derbyshire.
Large Twin-spot Carpet (Xanthorhoe quadrifasiata)
Calver © Steve Furness
This attractively-marked species is no larger than most carpet species and the twin spots can be very diffuse, as in the individual shown here. A disnctive feature is the cross-band, which is grey with darker cross-line and an elongated central spot.
This moth has an unusual distribution, being almost entirely restricted to central and eastern England, where it is strongly associated with ancient woodland and other damp habitats.
This moth has an unusual distribution, being almost entirely restricted to central and eastern England, where it is strongly associated with ancient woodland and other damp habitats.
Silver-ground Carpet
Calver © Steve Furness
This common species is described in the Moths of Garston Wood section of the site.
Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata ssp.fluctuata)
Calver © Steve Furness
Common across much of lowland England, the Garden Carpet is one of the most commonly-seen members of the family. The 'missing' central portion of the cross-band is very distinctive, as is the pale ground colour.
Chalk Carpet (Scotopteryx bipunctaria ssp.cretata)
Cressbrook Dale NNR
Calver © Steve Furness
Derbyshire is a stronghold of this rare species, where it is not uncommon in the open grassland of the limestone dales in the White Peak. This moth is often seen in the day, when it is easily disturbed from vegetation.
The overall grey banded appearance and distinct pair of black spots in the middle of each wing make it easy to recognise.
The overall grey banded appearance and distinct pair of black spots in the middle of each wing make it easy to recognise.
Shaded Broad-bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata)
© Steve Furness
Calver
This widespread geometrid is described in the Moths of Scotland section of the site.
Lead Belle (Scotopteryx mucronata)
See below for a description of this species and its near-identical cousin, the July Belle.
July Belle (Scotopteryx luridata ssp.plumbaria)
Image coming soon!
This species and the very, very similar Lead Belle (S.mucronata) can be difficult to distinguish. Both are recorded from Derbyshire.
Typical forms of July Belle have a small dot-like black spot on the forewing, although that of the Lead Belle tends to be more elongate. Also, the third cross-line (closest to the trailing edge) tends to be very indistinct in the July Belle, but more or less clearly-marked in the Lead Belle. Also, as the common name suggests, the July Belle is most abundant in July, whereas the flight period of the Lead Belle is between mid-May and mid-June.
Typical forms of July Belle have a small dot-like black spot on the forewing, although that of the Lead Belle tends to be more elongate. Also, the third cross-line (closest to the trailing edge) tends to be very indistinct in the July Belle, but more or less clearly-marked in the Lead Belle. Also, as the common name suggests, the July Belle is most abundant in July, whereas the flight period of the Lead Belle is between mid-May and mid-June.
Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata ssp.alternata)
Calver © Steve Furness
Matlock
As its name suggests, this is indeed a common moth, and the only common one of Britain's four Epirrhoe species. It can be found across the country although it is much more local in upland areas.
This species and its two close relatives (the Wood Carpet, E.rivata and the Galium Carpet, E.galiata) - see below - are similar in appearance. The Common Carpet can be distinguished by its grey overall appearance (in its standard form) and more especially by the broad white band near the trailing edge having a distinct wavy grey line running through it. The Wood Carpet lacks this feature, while the Galium Carpet has a concave leading edge to the forewing and a broader, more irregular dark cross-band in the middle of the wings.
This species and its two close relatives (the Wood Carpet, E.rivata and the Galium Carpet, E.galiata) - see below - are similar in appearance. The Common Carpet can be distinguished by its grey overall appearance (in its standard form) and more especially by the broad white band near the trailing edge having a distinct wavy grey line running through it. The Wood Carpet lacks this feature, while the Galium Carpet has a concave leading edge to the forewing and a broader, more irregular dark cross-band in the middle of the wings.
Wood Carpet (Epirrhoe rivata)
Calver © Steve Furness
See the description of the Common Carpet above for a description of this species, which is very rare in Derbyshire.
Galium Carpet (Epirrhoe galiata)
Calver © Steve Furness
This grassland moth is rare in Derbyshire. See the description of the Common Carpet above for a description of the species.
Yellow Shell (Camptogramma bilineata ssp.bilineata)
Coombs Dale SSSI
Calver (this and previous photo) © Steve Furness
This common species is described in the Moths of Garston Wood section of the site.
Streamer
Calver © Steve Furness
Water Carpet
Calver © Steve Furness
Purple Bar (Cosmorhoe ocellata)
Calver © Steve Furness
This species is described in the Moths of other parts of Dorset section of the site.
Phoenix (Eulithis prunata)
© Steve Furness
Calver
See the description of the Small Phoenix for diagnostic features of this widespread species. That said, the most recent Moth Atlas has relatively few occurrences in Derbyshire.
Northern Spinach (Eulithis populata)
Calver © Steve Furness
Small Phoenix (Ecliptoptera silaceata)
Calver © Steve Furness
This beautifully-marked geometrid is a classic species of damp woodland rides, where its willowherb foodplants often grow in abundance, although it is also common in other overgrown, grassy habitats.
The bold wing markings on the Small Phoenix make it fairly easy to recognise, especially the series of pale wedges below the broad central bar. The superficially-similar Phoenix and Water Carpet (see above) have these pale wedges and a dark brown background, but lack the fine, pale lines which run parallel to the body across the central band.
The bold wing markings on the Small Phoenix make it fairly easy to recognise, especially the series of pale wedges below the broad central bar. The superficially-similar Phoenix and Water Carpet (see above) have these pale wedges and a dark brown background, but lack the fine, pale lines which run parallel to the body across the central band.
Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata)
Calver © Steve Furness
The combination of colours on this woodland species are enough to identify it. The superficially-similar Autumn Green Carpet and Beech-green Carpet have a wider profile when at rest and lack the obvious red colours. Only the former is recorded from Derbyshire.
Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata)
Calver © Steve Furness
Chesterfield
Here in Derbyshire, this is a very common species in garden moth traps, although further north it becomes less common.
The colour on this moth is variable and several forms can be seen. The one in the first photo has a central brown patch, making it instantly-recognisable. Others have brown markings towards the trailing edge of the wing, like the one in the second photo. The large size (for a carpet) and 'eye' markings alongside the body are a good indicator of this species, though.
The colour on this moth is variable and several forms can be seen. The one in the first photo has a central brown patch, making it instantly-recognisable. Others have brown markings towards the trailing edge of the wing, like the one in the second photo. The large size (for a carpet) and 'eye' markings alongside the body are a good indicator of this species, though.
Barred Yellow (Cidaria fulvata)
Calver © Steve Furness
This widespread and very attractive moth can be seen across much of Britain, where its larvae feed on roses (Rosa sp). The bold yellow and brown pattern is not shared by any other moth in Britain, making it unmistakable when seen.
Grey PIne Carpet
Calver © Steve Furness
Spruce Carpet
Calver © Steve Furness
Broken-barred Carpet
Calver © Steve Furness
This species is described in the Moths of Garston Wood section of the site.
Mottled Grey (Colostygia multistrigaria)
Matlock
This early spring moth is only faintly-marked but quite distinctive, especially in its glossy texture. Despite its name, it is not especially grey, being more straw-coloured with paler and darker patches.
The Mottled Grey is widespread in Britain, but most common in the north and west.
The Mottled Grey is widespread in Britain, but most common in the north and west.
Green Carpet
Calver © Steve Furness
desc
Cloaked Carpet (Euphyia biangulata)
Calver © Steve Furness
This Nationally Scarce species is almost entirely restricted to south-west England and Wales, with populations in the Peak District being the most northerly and isolated in Britain, apart from several records from the Isle of Man.
It is a woodland species, feeding on Stitchwort (Stellaria sp). Given how common these plants are in woodland, it is strange that the moth is so rare in Britain.
The Cloaked Carpet is easy to recognise, with the first band and the central cross-band merging to form a dark cloak, from which project two 'teeth' on each forewing into a bright, white cross-band near the trailing edge. The green scales in the first cross-band are also unique to this species.
It is a woodland species, feeding on Stitchwort (Stellaria sp). Given how common these plants are in woodland, it is strange that the moth is so rare in Britain.
The Cloaked Carpet is easy to recognise, with the first band and the central cross-band merging to form a dark cloak, from which project two 'teeth' on each forewing into a bright, white cross-band near the trailing edge. The green scales in the first cross-band are also unique to this species.
Autumnal Moth
Calver © Steve Furness
Twin-spot Carpet
Calver © Steve Furness
December Moth
Calver © Steve Furness
Mottled Carpet
= common marbled?
Muslin Moth
Calver © Steve Furness
= footman
November Moth
Calver © Steve Furness
Toadflax Pug
Calver
check id
Foxglove Pug (Eupithecia pulchellata ssp.pulchellata)
Calver
A common pug throughout much of Britain, the Foxglove Pug is very similar to the Toadflax Pug (E.linariata), but is slightly larger and had a distinctive kink in the outer edge of the grey cross-band.
Mottled Pug
Calver © Steve Furness
This typical grey pug is common in central and southern England, in rural and suburban habitats. It has a distinctive curved forewing, with an elongate central spotm beyond which are several black streaks. Near the trailing edge of the forewings there is also a clear cream-coloured streak.
Triple-spotted Pug (Eupithecia trisignaria)
Calver © Steve Furness
Freyer's Pug (Eupithecia intricata ssp.arceuthata)
Calver © Steve Furness
Wormwood Pug (Eupithecia
Calver © Steve Furness
check id
Common Pug
Calver © Steve Furness
+1
White-spotted Pug
Calver © Steve Furness
Grey Pug
Chesterfield
Dwarf Pug
Calver © Steve Furness
Angle-barred Pug
Calver © Steve Furness
x
Portland
Streamer
Portland
Narrow-winged Pug
Calver
V-Pug (Chloroclystis v-ata)
Chesterfield
Calver © Steve Furness
Named for the unique forewing markings, the V-pug is one of the easiest pugs to identify. It is a common species in England and Wales, and is also fairly widespread in the central belt of Scotland.
Green Pug (Pasiphila rectangulata)
Chesterfield
Calver © Steve Furness
The common name of the widespread species describes its most obvious and unique feature - it is strikingly green. Only the V-pug (see above) shares this colour.
The Green Pug is especially common in wooded areas and orchards, where its larvae feed on fruit flowers.
The Green Pug is especially common in wooded areas and orchards, where its larvae feed on fruit flowers.
Double-striped Pug (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata)
Calver © Steve Furness
Named for the pair of cross-lines which have extensive black edges, this pug has a unique combination of colour and pattern among British species, although the black can be rather faint and understated.
It is a common species across most of lowland Britain, where its larvae feed on a wide variety of plants in an equally wide variety of habitats.
It is a common species across most of lowland Britain, where its larvae feed on a wide variety of plants in an equally wide variety of habitats.
Chimney Sweeper (Odezia atrata)
Calver © Steve Furness
Rose End Meadows NR
This day-flying moth is a classic resident of meadows, especially on calcareous soils in the lowlands. Unusually for a widespread moth, it is more common in northern Britain than in the south.
The larvae of the Chimney Sweeper feed on Pignut (Conopodium majus).
The larvae of the Chimney Sweeper feed on Pignut (Conopodium majus).
Early Tooth-striped (Trichopteryx carpinata)
Calver © Steve Furness
Yellow-barred Brindle (Acasis viretata)
Calver © Steve Furness
This species is described in the Moths of Garston Wood section of the site.
Clouded Border (Lomaspilis marginata)
Calver © Steve Furness
This species is described in the Moths of Garston Wood section of the site.
V-Moth (Macaria wauaria)
Calver (both photos) © Steve Furness
Much like the V-Pug, this larger, grey species has bold v-shaped markings on the leading edge of the forewings. Three other dark marks are also present.
The V-Moth has a very scattered distribution in Britain, with many older records and far fewer recent ones. The larvae feed on currants and gooseberries.
The V-Moth has a very scattered distribution in Britain, with many older records and far fewer recent ones. The larvae feed on currants and gooseberries.
Latticed Heath (Chiasma clathrata ssp.clathrata)
Calver © Steve Furness
Another day-flying species, the Latticed Heath is an easy species to recognise and is often disturrbed from vegetation. Its scientific name comes from the Greek for 'cage', alluding to the bold wing pattern.
The Common Heath (see below) has a similar brown and white pattern but looks more blurred and banded, as there are no dark veins splitting the brown and white.
The Latticed Heath is common on the moorland of the Dark Peak in Derbyshire.
The Common Heath (see below) has a similar brown and white pattern but looks more blurred and banded, as there are no dark veins splitting the brown and white.
The Latticed Heath is common on the moorland of the Dark Peak in Derbyshire.
Brown Silver-line (Petrophora chlorosata)
© Steve Furness
Scorched Wing (
Calver © Steve Furness
Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata)
Chesterfield (this and previous photo)
Calver © Steve Furness
One of Britain's most intensely-coloured moths, the Brimstone Moth is one I never tire of seeing. No other species resembles it, and it can be seen across Britain.
Lilac Beauty (Apeira syringaria)
Calver © Steve Furness
Widely-distributed over much of central and southern England and Wales, the Lilac Beauty is primarily a woodland moth, although it also occurs in more scrubby habitats. The lilac markings, wing shape and oblique, dark brown line on each forewing make it easy to identify.
Canary-shouldered Thorn (Ennomos alniaria)
Calver © Steve Furness
The bright yellow body hairs of this late summer and autumn-flying species make it unmistakable. It is a common species in most of lowland Britain.
Dusky Thorn (Ennomos fuscantaria)
male, Chesterfield
male, Calver © Steve Furness
This attractive species is common across most of England and Wales. Its shape and pale colour makes it resemble the Canary-shouldered Thorn, although it lacks the bright yellow body hairs of that species. Distinctive features of the Dusky Thorn are the greyish curved band of colour that stretches from the wingtips almost to the abdomen.
Early Thorn (Selenia dentaria)
Calver (this and previous photo) © Steve Furness
Chesterfield (this and previous photo)
Purple Thorn (Selenia tetralunaria)
Calver © Steve Furness
This beautiful species is described in the Moths of Wicken Fen NNR section of the site.
Scalloped Hazel (Odontoptera bidentata)
Calver © Steve Furness
Chesterfield
This common species is described in the Moths of others areas of Dorset section of the site.
Scalloped Oak (Crocallis elinguaria)
Calver © Steve Furness
Much more banded in appearanve than the Scalloped Hazel, this species is also more yellow and lacks the jagged trailing edges to the wings - they are more rounded in this species. The black forewing mark is also a solid dot, rather than a ring.
The Scalloped Oak has a similar, widespread distribution to its cousin, the Scalloped Hazel.
The Scalloped Oak has a similar, widespread distribution to its cousin, the Scalloped Hazel.
Swallow-tailed Moth (Ourapteryx sambucaria)
© Steve Furness
One of Britain's most spectacular moths, the Swallow-tailed Moth is both large and beautiful. No other species resembles it, and it is easily-seen in most of lowland Britain, in both rural and well-vegetated urban areas.
Feathered Thorn (Colotois pennaria)
Calver © Steve Furness
Peppered Moth
Chesterfield
Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria)
Chesterfield
desc
Mottled Beauty
© Steve Furness
desc
Engrailed
Calver © Steve Furness
desc
Common Heath (Ematurga atomaria ssp.atomaria)
Cupola Pond, Eastern Moors
With far less distinct markings than the Latticed Heath, and wings held flatter to the ground, the Common Heath looks more like a brown butterfly than a moth, although its flight is less powerful. It is a moorland species, where its larvae feed on heather species. No other moth resembles this species in Derbyshire.
Bordered White (Bupalus piniaria)
Chesterfield
One of few British moths that rest with their wings held vertically, the Bordered White is a widespread species, especially common in pine plantation areas and, in Scotland, areas of native pine woodland.
The white streak along the underside of the hindwing, crossed by very dark bars, is a unique feature of this lovely species.
The white streak along the underside of the hindwing, crossed by very dark bars, is a unique feature of this lovely species.
Common White Wave (Cabera pusaria)
Calver © Steve Furness
This common species is described in the Moths of Scotland section of the site.
Common Wave (Cabera exanthemata)
link
Clouded Silver (Lomographa temerata)
Calver © Steve Furness
Light Emerald (Campaea margaritata)
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Barred Red (Hylaea fasciaria)
Calver © Steve Furness
Grass Wave (Perconia strigillaria)
Curbar Edge