Map-winged Swift       Ghost Moth
3.004 BF0016 - Gold Swift - Hepialidae - Phymatopus hecta
3.004 BF0016  – Gold Swift  – Phymatopus hecta  – (Linnaeus,1758)
Adult Macro:  CAT 1 – Distinctive species unlikely to be confused with others –      
PDF Icon – click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
Blue –  Generally Common / Widespread   
Taxonomy:   Macro  >>.  >>  Hepialidae
Other Name/s: Hepialus hecta
ID Difficulty:  green  – easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.
ID pointers: The moth is fairly straight forward to identify – The male is brightly marked with distinctive reddish chestnut brown forewing intricately marked with gold spots & blotches that are distinctive across the forewings. The female is duller and less brightly marked with greyish/purplish bands across the forewings.
Distribution:  A resident species that is widely distributed and common in Derbyshire woods where Bracken is a predominant species of understorey cover. 
General Comment: None Flight Period: May /  June /  July –  On the wing mid-May – end July. Moth Activity: Crepuscular   – but can be disturbed during the day Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Tony Davison  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 29 October 2025 by RP ***
Wingspan: 13-16mm
Forewing: 12-15mm Food Plant: Bracken
Specific Recorded History Dates for Common [Blue code Blue-coded] moths is not displayed/updated in this tab. However, all verified records for this moth are listed in the RECORDS tab below.
Selected Images:  Melbourne, Derbyshire – Image by Tony Davison

3.004 BF0016 - Gold Swift - Hepialidae - Phymatopus hecta
Gold Swift – Phymatopus hecta
3.004 BF0016 - Gold Swift - Hepialidae - Phymatopus hecta


Image Gallery

Gold Swift - male - Melbourne - Tony Davison©

Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1960 - 2025)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)

Distribution Map for Phymatopus hecta

Found 63 records
    ↳ from 2026+
    ↳ 16 from 2020 - 2025
    ↳ 47 from Before 2020
Flying
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

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Bedrock Geology ** indirectly affects moth distribution by influencing the type of habitat and food plants available in an area. In turn, this may affect the types of moths that can thrive, or where they can most likely be found.


NBN Atlas UK Distribution for – Phymatopus hecta

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Note – the NBN Atlas datasets are listed in the map below and vary in their currency (uptodateness) – however, the map does give a general indication of the moth's distribution across the UK.

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Monthly Records By Year: Phymatopus hecta
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Monthly Counts By Year: Phymatopus hecta
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only )

First/Last Recorded Dates: Phymatopus hecta
Adult-only & Anything [Larvae, Pupae, Adult, Mines]

Shading shows moth presence between dates

Click the colour discs below to Select/De-select as Required

Recordings By Year: Phymatopus hecta
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Phymatopus hecta
AGR: 0%   |   Total % Change: 0%

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Phymatopus hecta
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Phymatopus hecta

Flight Period chart – the grey hatched area above, which can cross one or more months, pictorially represents the best guess we have for this moth's flight periods [month/s]. The coloured lines represent the actual months seen in flight, from site observation records received between 2020-2026.

Records Behind the Map and Charts - Phymatopus hecta – 63 records available

Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns

Site NameTetradDateCountStageRecorderSourceRecordKey
Glapwell Garden TrapSK46T14/08/20251adultCulpin, Johnvc57_irecords_extractiBRC50332507
Cown Edge Farm marshSK09A30/06/20251adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC43979907
BelperSK34U21/06/20251adultEvans, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC42577753
Padfield, Glossop SK, UKSK09I17/06/20251AdultAlex Leesvc57_irecords_extractiBRC42387005
Longdendale, Lomg Gutter EdgeSK09U18/07/20242adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC38130562
Longdendale, Wildboar Clough Woodland southeastSK09U07/07/20245adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC38130394
Cressbrook Dale (SK)SK17S12/06/20241adultChristopher Blakeyvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36418522
Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G25/05/20241adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36371810
Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G15/05/20241adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36371706
BelperSK34U21/07/20231adultEvans, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC35296123
BelperSK34U21/07/20231adultEvans, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC35296581
BelperSK34U21/07/20231adultEvans, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC35305134
Derbyshire, UKSK07X12/07/20221AdultOrridge, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC28758836
Marepiece Wood, Kinder ReservoirSK08N16/06/20221adultHewitt, Janevc57_irecords_extractiBRC34106006
LightwoodSK07M02/06/20221adultOrridge, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC35091166
Waterswallows QuarrySK07X24/05/20221adultOrridge, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC35091185
Lightwood Resvr, BuxtonSK07M14/06/20191adultORRIDGE, Mr S.A.Danes_2019-20211578
Derbyshire, UKSK07M05/06/20191AdultOrridge, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC23237659
Pleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X24/07/20181AdultB.J.N. Hillvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WPU71
Lady Canning's PlantationSK28W13/07/20141adultWatchorn, Andrewvc57_irecords_extractiBRC2791881
Back Lane,GlapwellSK46T20/08/20121AdultJ. Culpinvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJVV4
High Peak Trail - Newhaven to HurdlowSK16H26/06/20121adultWatchorn, Andrewvc57_irecords_extractiBRC22292464
Crich Chase,AmbergateSK35L09/06/20121AdultK.R. Hustonvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OL64M
Welbeck Drive,WingerworthSK36T17/08/20111AdultB.J.N. Hillvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OK7OK
Welbeck Drive,WingerworthSK36T16/08/20111AdultB.J.N. Hillvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OL3OF
Calke Park (Betty's Pool),TicknallSK32U03/06/20111AdultDave Budworth;D.A. Clarke;P. Patrickvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJRP9
Lowes Hill,RipleySK35V06/06/20101AdultR.A. Wainvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJO7X
Hardhurst Rd, Alvaston, DerbySK33W03/06/20101AdultI. Gardlervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OKS2L
Flash Lane,Beeley MoorSK26X26/06/20091AdultB.L. Stathamvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OK1MW
Bow Wood,Lea Bridge,MatlockSK35D18/06/20091AdultF.A. Jacksonvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OKNJ0
Marepiece Plantation, nr Kinder Resr, HayfieldSK08N09/06/20071AdultM. Stanyervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OKGT7
Newboundmill Lane,PleasleySK56C02/06/20073AdultC. Stubbsvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OKGK6
Church St,Holloway,MatlockSK35I23/08/20061AdultF. Harrisonvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OI8QW
Whitwell Wood (centre area), Whitwell, WorksopSK57J18/06/20068AdultC. Stubbsvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJCKI
Carvers Rocks, Hartshorne, SwadlincoteSK32G15/06/20061AdultDave Budworthvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHSTH
The Field,Shipley,IlkestonSK44M29/08/20053AdultT. Durovc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OI6TE
Whitwell Wood,Whitwell,WorksopSK57J01/07/20051AdultC. Stubbsvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHRIS
Seventy Acre Woods/Flash Lane, DerbyshireSK26Y23/06/20053adultFinch, Graham Leonardvc57_irecords_extractiBRC35107082
Beeley (Seventy Acre Wood)SK26Y23/06/20053AdultFinch, Graham Leonardvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHRE8
Foremark Resr, TicknallSK32H25/06/200411AdultA. Davison;N. Topliss;W. Soarvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHQ4M
FOREMARK RESERVOIRSK32H22/05/20041adultDavison, Tonyvc57_irecords_extractiBRC33442644
Foremark Res (Visitor's Centre),TicknallSK32G22/05/20041AdultDave Budworthvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJ57E
South Wood, Calke, TicknallSK32Q17/06/20021AdultG.L. Finch;M.A. Finchvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHOOC
Ticknall Limeyards,TicknallSK32R20/06/19981AdultBUDWORTH, Mr D., VILES, Mr I.M., TRAVERS-AYRE, Mr vc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIBRC
Ticknall Limeyards,TicknallSK32R11/06/1997100AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIEVV
Ticknall Limeyards,TicknallSK32R27/05/19971AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHNJ4
The Field,Shipley,IlkestonSK44M06/08/19931AdultT. Durovc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIXJ4
Pond House, Mapperley Res, IlkestonSK44G15/08/19871AdultT. Durovc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHZWD
Matlock Moor, Cuckoostone (near golf course)SK36B06/07/19821AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIORQ
Ticknall (site not precise)SK32L23/06/19823AdultD.A. Youngvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIABI
Carvers Rocks, Hartshorne, SwadlincoteSK32G31/05/19821AdultD.A. Youngvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHYIE
Crich Chase, Ambergate (site not precise)SK35L28/05/19821AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIOH3
Trentlock, Sawley, Long EatonSK43V14/08/19811AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIO45
Mapperley Wood NR, Mapperley, IlkestonSK44G04/07/19811AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHHEM
Askew Grove, ReptonSK32D14/06/19812AdultD.A. Youngvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OINJV
Carvers Rocks NR, Hartshorne, Swadlincote (site not precise)SK32G13/06/19812AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OINJO
Askew Grove, ReptonSK32D10/06/19811AdultD.A. Youngvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHY6P
Shipley Wood, Shipley Park, IlkestonSK44L04/06/19813AdultBRADDOCK, Mr A., DURO, Mr T., ELLIOTT, Mr B., STATvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIDSV
Mapperley Wood NR, Mapperley, IlkestonSK44G30/05/19811AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHHC0
Chesterfield Canal NorwoodSK48Q26/06/19791adultDerek Whiteleyvc57_irecords_extractiBRC45854397
Welbeck Rd, BolsoverSK47V09/08/19691AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIDP2
Hollingworth Clough, Hayfield (site not precise)SK08P08/06/19641AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIH6R
Newbold Ave, ChesterfieldSK37R28/05/19601AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIGN2

 
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