70.068 BF1748 – Beautiful Carpet – Mesoleuca albicillata – (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
– Rare / Uncommon / Scarce
– easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.ID pointers: As the name suggests, it is a very attractive carpet moth. The ground colour is a rich cream with a huge white central cross band with a dark basal area finely marked. A large dark patch near the wing tip and blue grey markings along the trailing edge for the forewing. As there is no dark central cross-band, this is a key ID feature that separates it from other White Carpet moths.
Distribution: (Last record: 19 July 2022 at Darley Dale ) – A resident species, that is locally rare in Derbyshire. It is mainly found at scattered sites in the south and central regions of the county with populations being small.
General Comment: None *** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Forewing: 15-18mm
Last Recorded Year: 2022
Last Recorded By – Simon Roddis
Last Recorded General Area – Darley Dale
Selected Images: Melbourne – Images by Tony Davison ©
Image Gallery
Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1979 - 2022)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)
Distribution Map for Mesoleuca albicillata
Found 43 records
↳ from 2026+
↳ 3 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 40 from Before 2020
↳ from 2026+
↳ 3 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 40 from Before 2020
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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 – Mesoleuca albicillata
⚠️ 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:
Mesoleuca albicillata
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Monthly Counts By Year:
Mesoleuca albicillata
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only )
First/Last Recorded Dates: Mesoleuca albicillata
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: Mesoleuca albicillata
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Mesoleuca albicillata
AGR: 0% | Total % Change: 0%
Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Mesoleuca albicillata
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Mesoleuca albicillata
Mesoleuca albicillata
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 - Mesoleuca albicillata – 43 records available
Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns
| Site Name | Tetrad | Date | Count | Stage | Recorder | Source | RecordKey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Station Road, Darley Dale | SK26R | 19/07/2022 | 1 | adult | Roddis, Simon | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35376503 |
| Rydal Close, Dronfield Woodhouse, Dronfield | SK37J | 12/06/2021 | 1 | adult | KAY, Mr P. | Danes_2019-2021 | 214 |
| Ambergate | SK35K | 04/07/2020 | 1 | adult | Cross, Shirley | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC14755144 |
| Whitwell Wood (centre area), Whitwell, Worksop | SK57J | 17/06/2017 | 3 | Adult | Dave Budworth;D. Brumbill;D.A. Clarke;D.A. Smith;K | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPZ0O |
| garden | SK32R | 29/07/2016 | 1 | adult | Thornhill, Alison | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC5598907 |
| Coal Aston, Owler Carr Lane | SK38Q | 01/07/2016 | 1 | adult | McLean, Angela | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC3583605 |
| DRONFIELD WOODHOUSE | SK37J | 18/08/2015 | 1 | adult | Williamson, Andy | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC45689730 |
| Not given | SK25T | 03/07/2014 | 1 | Adult | Roddis, Simon | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC1142154 |
| Sheffield Rd, Sheepbridge, Chesterfield | SK37S | 25/07/2012 | 2 | Adult | P. Townsend | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OKEJ7 |
| Sheffield Rd, Sheepbridge, Chesterfield | SK37S | 25/07/2012 | 2 | Adult | P. Townsend | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WQBGP |
| School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley Dale | SK26R | 25/06/2011 | 1 | Adult | A. Butler | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJS1H |
| Flash Lane,Beeley Moor | SK26X | 09/06/2011 | 1 | Adult | A. Butler | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OL0C5 |
| Meynell Langley,Kirk Langley | SK23Z | 04/06/2011 | 1 | Adult | WARD, Mr N.J., CLARKE, Mr D.A., MILLAR, Mr J.C.G., | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJRQ4 |
| Main Street, Kings Newton | SK32Y | 05/07/2010 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34678791 |
| School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley Dale | SK26R | 23/05/2010 | 1 | Adult | A. Butler | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJNYK |
| The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley Dale | SK26R | 22/05/2010 | 1 | Adult | Roddis, Simon | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJNXK |
| School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley Dale | SK26R | 30/06/2009 | 1 | Adult | A. Butler | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJM9Y |
| Calke Park Ticknall Lime Yards | SK32R | 22/07/2007 | 1 | adult | Finch, Graham Leonard | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35105943 |
| Ticknall Limeyards,Ticknall | SK32R | 22/07/2007 | 1 | Adult | Finch, Graham Leonard | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJJ48 |
| Main St,Ticknall | SK32R | 17/07/2006 | 1 | Adult | M. Turner | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJE1U |
| Flash Lane,Beeley Moor | SK26X | 16/07/2006 | 1 | Adult | B.L. Statham | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHTKC |
| Spinney Hill,Melbourne | SK32X | 07/07/2006 | 1 | Adult | Davison, Tony | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OI7Z7 |
| Bryan's Wood, Calke, Ticknall | SK31U | 24/06/2006 | 1 | Adult | Soar, Will | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJCUR |
| Robin Wood | SK32M | 23/06/2006 | 1 | adult | Davison, Tony | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33526935 |
| Robin Wood (centre area track), Ticknall | SK32M | 23/06/2006 | 1 | Adult | Dave Budworth;W. Soar | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHT17 |
| Crich Chase,Ambergate | SK35L | 18/06/2006 | 1 | Adult | Roddis, Simon | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHSYF |
| Clough Wood/Darley Bridge | SK26Q | 21/06/2003 | 1 | Adult | Roddis, Simon | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJ3FX |
| Matlock Forest, Matlock (site not precise) | SK36A | 22/06/2002 | 1 | Adult | B.L. Statham | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJ2Q5 |
| Hall Dale, Darley Dale (site not precise) | SK26X | 16/06/2002 | 1 | Adult | B.L. Statham | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHONN |
| Linacre Res, Chesterfield | SK37G | 25/06/1995 | 2 | Adult | B.L. Statham | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHMPS |
| Linacre Resr, Chesterfield (site not precise) | SK37G | 26/06/1994 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIXWX |
| Linacre Resr, Chesterfield (site not precise) | SK37G | 26/06/1994 | 1 | Adult | B. Elliott | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WQDFN |
| Linacre Res, Chesterfield | SK37G | 11/06/1994 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHM8X |
| Linacre Res, Chesterfield | SK37G | 11/06/1994 | 1 | Adult | K.V. Cooper | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WOX0Q |
| Linnet Clough, Mellor, Marple | SJ98U | 13/06/1992 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHLIZ |
| Crich Chase,Ambergate | SK35L | 13/06/1992 | 1 | Adult | F. Harrison | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OI1DQ |
| Crich Chase,Ambergate | SK35L | 13/06/1992 | 1 | Adult | F. Harrison | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WP04H |
| Linnet Clough, Mellor, Marple | SJ98U | 13/06/1992 | 1 | Adult | I.F. Smith;S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WQAE8 |
| Clough Wood,Darley Dale | SK26K | 15/06/1990 | 1 | Adult | B.L. Statham | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIUBN |
| Clough Wood,Darley Dale | SK26K | 15/06/1990 | 1 | Adult | B.L. Statham | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WOPQQ |
| Allestree Park | SK33J | 12/07/1985 | 1 | adult | Finch, Graham Leonard | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35105313 |
| Clough Wood,Darley Dale | SK26K | 16/06/1984 | 1 | Adult | B.L. Statham | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIQIX |
| Carvers Rocks NR, Hartshorne, Swadlincote (site not precise) | SK32G | 19/08/1979 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHXKG |