3.004 BF0016 – Gold Swift – Phymatopus hecta – (Linnaeus,1758)
Adult Macro: CAT 1 – Distinctive species unlikely to be confused with others –
– click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
– click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
– Generally Common / Widespread
– 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 *** Last updated on 29 October 2025 by RP ***
Forewing: 12-15mm
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
Image Gallery
Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1960 - 2025)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)
This chart summarises all available historical occurrence records collated by ISO week of the year. It reflects recorder effort and sampling distribution as well as true biological activity, and should be interpreted as an indicative pattern of seasonal occurrence rather than a statistically controlled abundance or phenology model.
Distribution Map for Phymatopus hecta
Found 63 records
↳ from 2026+
↳ 16 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 47 from Before 2020
↳ from 2026+
↳ 16 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 47 from Before 2020
If the Map Layers function fails, just refresh the page and it should be OK after. Use the +- zoom on the top left, or on a tablet, use two fingers to zoom. Remember, the last layer you ticked is the one which displays the popup information - they sit on top of each other - de-select then re-select, to see the popup values.
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
⚠️ Please wait for the map to load fully – do not click the link shown.
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.
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
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 Name | Tetrad | Date | Count | Stage | Recorder | Source | RecordKey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glapwell Garden Trap | SK46T | 14/08/2025 | 1 | adult | Culpin, John | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC50332507 |
| Cown Edge Farm marsh | SK09A | 30/06/2025 | 1 | adult | Heintzen, Christian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC43979907 |
| Belper | SK34U | 21/06/2025 | 1 | adult | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC42577753 |
| Padfield, Glossop SK, UK | SK09I | 17/06/2025 | 1 | Adult | Lees, Alexander | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC42387005 |
| Longdendale, Lomg Gutter Edge | SK09U | 18/07/2024 | 2 | adult | Heintzen, Christian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC38130562 |
| Longdendale, Wildboar Clough Woodland southeast | SK09U | 07/07/2024 | 5 | adult | Heintzen, Christian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC38130394 |
| Cressbrook Dale (SK) | SK17S | 12/06/2024 | 1 | adult | Christopher Blakey | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC36418522 |
| Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long Clough | SK09G | 25/05/2024 | 1 | adult | Heintzen, Christian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC36371810 |
| Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long Clough | SK09G | 15/05/2024 | 1 | adult | Heintzen, Christian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC36371706 |
| Belper | SK34U | 21/07/2023 | 1 | adult | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35296123 |
| Belper | SK34U | 21/07/2023 | 1 | adult | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35296581 |
| Belper | SK34U | 21/07/2023 | 1 | adult | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35305134 |
| Derbyshire, UK | SK07X | 12/07/2022 | 1 | Adult | Orridge, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC28758836 |
| Marepiece Wood, Kinder Reservoir | SK08N | 16/06/2022 | 1 | adult | Hewitt, Jane | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34106006 |
| Lightwood | SK07M | 02/06/2022 | 1 | adult | Orridge, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35091166 |
| Waterswallows Quarry | SK07X | 24/05/2022 | 1 | adult | Orridge, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35091185 |
| Lightwood Resvr, Buxton | SK07M | 14/06/2019 | 1 | adult | ORRIDGE, Mr S.A. | Danes_2019-2021 | 1578 |
| Derbyshire, UK | SK07M | 05/06/2019 | 1 | Adult | Orridge, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC23237659 |
| Pleasley Pit CP, Pleasley | SK46X | 24/07/2018 | 1 | Adult | B.J.N. Hill | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPU71 |
| Lady Canning's Plantation | SK28W | 13/07/2014 | 1 | adult | Watchorn, Andrew | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC2791881 |
| Back Lane,Glapwell | SK46T | 20/08/2012 | 1 | Adult | J. Culpin | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJVV4 |
| High Peak Trail - Newhaven to Hurdlow | SK16H | 26/06/2012 | 1 | adult | Watchorn, Andrew | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC22292464 |
| Crich Chase,Ambergate | SK35L | 09/06/2012 | 1 | Adult | K.R. Huston | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OL64M |
| Welbeck Drive,Wingerworth | SK36T | 17/08/2011 | 1 | Adult | B.J.N. Hill | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OK7OK |
| Welbeck Drive,Wingerworth | SK36T | 16/08/2011 | 1 | Adult | B.J.N. Hill | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OL3OF |
| Calke Park (Betty's Pool),Ticknall | SK32U | 03/06/2011 | 1 | Adult | Dave Budworth;D.A. Clarke;P. Patrick | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJRP9 |
| Lowes Hill,Ripley | SK35V | 06/06/2010 | 1 | Adult | R.A. Wain | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJO7X |
| Hardhurst Rd, Alvaston, Derby | SK33W | 03/06/2010 | 1 | Adult | I. Gardler | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OKS2L |
| Flash Lane,Beeley Moor | SK26X | 26/06/2009 | 1 | Adult | B.L. Statham | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OK1MW |
| Bow Wood,Lea Bridge,Matlock | SK35D | 18/06/2009 | 1 | Adult | F.A. Jackson | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OKNJ0 |
| Marepiece Plantation, nr Kinder Resr, Hayfield | SK08N | 09/06/2007 | 1 | Adult | M. Stanyer | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OKGT7 |
| Newboundmill Lane,Pleasley | SK56C | 02/06/2007 | 3 | Adult | C. Stubbs | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OKGK6 |
| Church St,Holloway,Matlock | SK35I | 23/08/2006 | 1 | Adult | F. Harrison | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OI8QW |
| Whitwell Wood (centre area), Whitwell, Worksop | SK57J | 18/06/2006 | 8 | Adult | C. Stubbs | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJCKI |
| Carvers Rocks, Hartshorne, Swadlincote | SK32G | 15/06/2006 | 1 | Adult | Dave Budworth | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHSTH |
| The Field,Shipley,Ilkeston | SK44M | 29/08/2005 | 3 | Adult | T. Duro | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OI6TE |
| Whitwell Wood,Whitwell,Worksop | SK57J | 01/07/2005 | 1 | Adult | C. Stubbs | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHRIS |
| Seventy Acre Woods/Flash Lane, Derbyshire | SK26Y | 23/06/2005 | 3 | adult | Finch, Graham Leonard | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35107082 |
| Beeley (Seventy Acre Wood) | SK26Y | 23/06/2005 | 3 | Adult | Finch, Graham Leonard | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHRE8 |
| Foremark Resr, Ticknall | SK32H | 25/06/2004 | 11 | Adult | A. Davison;N. Topliss;W. Soar | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHQ4M |
| Foremark Res (Visitor's Centre),Ticknall | SK32G | 22/05/2004 | 1 | Adult | Dave Budworth | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJ57E |
| FOREMARK RESERVOIR | SK32H | 22/05/2004 | 1 | adult | Davison, Tony | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33442644 |
| South Wood, Calke, Ticknall | SK32Q | 17/06/2002 | 1 | Adult | G.L. Finch;M.A. Finch | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHOOC |
| Ticknall Limeyards,Ticknall | SK32R | 20/06/1998 | 1 | Adult | BUDWORTH, Mr D., VILES, Mr I.M., TRAVERS-AYRE, Mr | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIBRC |
| Ticknall Limeyards,Ticknall | SK32R | 11/06/1997 | 100 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIEVV |
| Ticknall Limeyards,Ticknall | SK32R | 27/05/1997 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHNJ4 |
| The Field,Shipley,Ilkeston | SK44M | 06/08/1993 | 1 | Adult | T. Duro | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIXJ4 |
| Pond House, Mapperley Res, Ilkeston | SK44G | 15/08/1987 | 1 | Adult | T. Duro | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHZWD |
| Matlock Moor, Cuckoostone (near golf course) | SK36B | 06/07/1982 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIORQ |
| Ticknall (site not precise) | SK32L | 23/06/1982 | 3 | Adult | D.A. Young | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIABI |
| Carvers Rocks, Hartshorne, Swadlincote | SK32G | 31/05/1982 | 1 | Adult | D.A. Young | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHYIE |
| Crich Chase, Ambergate (site not precise) | SK35L | 28/05/1982 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIOH3 |
| Trentlock, Sawley, Long Eaton | SK43V | 14/08/1981 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIO45 |
| Mapperley Wood NR, Mapperley, Ilkeston | SK44G | 04/07/1981 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHHEM |
| Askew Grove, Repton | SK32D | 14/06/1981 | 2 | Adult | D.A. Young | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OINJV |
| Carvers Rocks NR, Hartshorne, Swadlincote (site not precise) | SK32G | 13/06/1981 | 2 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OINJO |
| Askew Grove, Repton | SK32D | 10/06/1981 | 1 | Adult | D.A. Young | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHY6P |
| Shipley Wood, Shipley Park, Ilkeston | SK44L | 04/06/1981 | 3 | Adult | BRADDOCK, Mr A., DURO, Mr T., ELLIOTT, Mr B., STAT | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIDSV |
| Mapperley Wood NR, Mapperley, Ilkeston | SK44G | 30/05/1981 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHHC0 |
| Chesterfield Canal Norwood | SK48Q | 26/06/1979 | 1 | adult | Whiteley, Derek | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC45854397 |
| Welbeck Rd, Bolsover | SK47V | 09/08/1969 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIDP2 |
| Hollingworth Clough, Hayfield (site not precise) | SK08P | 08/06/1964 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIH6R |
| Newbold Ave, Chesterfield | SK37R | 28/05/1960 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIGN2 |