Setaceous Hebrew Character       Double Square-spot
73.360 BF2127  –  Noctuidae –  Noctuinae – Xestia ditrapezium – Triple-spotted Clay – ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Adult Macro:  CAT 2 – Can be confused with other species – Can be confused with other species       PDF Icon – click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
Green –  Rare / Uncommon / Scarce   
Taxonomy:   Macro   >>  Noctuidae  >> Noctuinae
ID Difficulty:  amber  – care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required.
Confusion Species:  Double Square-spot, Setaceous Hebrew Character
ID pointers: Can be confused with Setaceous Hebrew Character, but mainly with Double Square-spot, which looks very similar. Lacks the conspicuous pale wedge on the forewing of Setaceous Hebrew Character. In comparison to Double Square-spot it rests with its wings wrapped together more tightly, giving it a slender appearance., unlike Double Square-spot which shows less overlap and a broader appearance. The ground colour is purplish to reddish-brown, whereas Double Square-spot is typically pale brown. The colour of the hind wings can be of great help. On Triple-spotted Clay it is creamy pale grey or light brown. On Double Square-spot the hind wings are a smoky, dingy grey-brown colour.
Distribution:  (Last record: 20 July 2024 at Cromford )  –  A resident species that is locally distributed and generally uncommon in Derbyshire. Recorded in small numbers in the Trent Valley but the Derwent Valley holds greatest numbers. It is classed as a nationally local species, with a scattered distribution across the UK.
Flight Period: June /  July /  August /  –  On the wing June – August. Moth Activity: Nocturnal   – is attracted to light and sugar Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Tony Davison, Clive Ashton  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 22 July 2025 by WS ***
Wingspan: 35-42mm
Forewing: 17-19mm Food Plant: Sallow (Salix), Birch (Betula) and Bramble (Rubus).
Last Recorded Year: 2024
Last Recorded By – Clive Ashton
Last Recorded General Area – Cromford
IMAGES BELOW:  Melbourne Derbyshire – Tony Davison©

Triple-spotted Clay - Noctuidae - Xestia ditrapezium
Triple-spotted Clay – Xestia ditrapezium – Melbourne Derbyshire – Tony Davison
73.360 BF2127 - Triple -spotted Clay - 20/7/2024 - Cromford - Clive Ashton
73.360 BF2127 – Triple -spotted Clay – 20/7/2024 – Cromford – Clive Ashton
Triple-spotted Clay - Noctuidae - Xestia ditrapezium
73.360 BF2127 - Triple -spotted Clay - 20/7/2024 - Cromford - Clive Ashton

73.360 BF2127 - Triple -spotted Clay - 20/7/2024 - Cromford - Clive Ashton Triple -spotted Clay - 20th July 2024 - Cromford - Clive Ashton
2127-triple-spotted-clay Triple-spotted Clay - Melbourne - Tony Davison©

Distribution Map for Xestia ditrapezium

Found 112 records
    ↳ 1 from After 2025
    ↳ 21 from 2020 - 2024
    ↳ 90 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.

******* Choose ONLY one at a time, of either Monad, Tetrad or Hectad Distribution - each has it's own set of data. Also, the distribution maps cover ALL recorded data. *******

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.

Land-cover * shows the variety of land-cover within the VC57 area, based on the CORINE (Coordination of Information on the Environment) forty-four thematic classes of land-cover. This will show, to a greater or lesser degree, the number and variety of moths found in different land-cover types. The UK continues to operate within the Copernicus programme, with the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) providing Corine Land Cover (CLC) datasets for the UK and its territories.


NBN Atlas UK Distribution for – Xestia ditrapezium

⚠️ 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.

Visit NBN Site


Monthly Records By Year: Xestia ditrapezium
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Monthly Counts By Year: Xestia ditrapezium
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only. )


First/Last Recorded Dates: Xestia ditrapezium
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: Xestia ditrapezium
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Xestia ditrapezium
AGR: 0%   |   Total % Change: 0%


CUSUM Analysis: Xestia ditrapezium
About this chart: CUSUM (Cumulative Sum) charts track long-term trends in moth populations [ filtered by 'Adult' and 'Mine' life stages ] by showing whether each year’s counts are above or below the historical average. Even small shifts build up over time, making trends of growth, stability, or decline easier to see. CUSUM highlights trend-consistency — asking: “Across the years, have moth counts mostly stayed above or below average?”
The data sample has 9 gap year/s here (zero records) between 2000 and 2025. The moth may have been present in those gap years, but no data was available. Too many year-gaps may exaggerate or skew the chart.

Counts for the current year (2025) are pro-rated based on data available up to month 7 (July) to provide a full-year equivalent.

ⓘ Purple line rises = years better than average; falls = years worse than average.
Peak (best year) Trough (worst year) Growth periods Decline periods
Population peaked around 2006, reaching above average levels. The lowest population point occurred near 2020, showing a significant decline.

What the Y-axis "Cumulative Deviation" means: Cumulative Deviation shows the running total of how each year’s moth population count differs from the long-term average. i

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Xestia ditrapezium
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Xestia ditrapezium
( data includes Adult Stage only )

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 2020-2025.

Records Behind the Map and Charts - Xestia ditrapezium – 112 records available

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

TaxonSite NameTetradYearDateCountStageSource
Xestia ditrapeziumHathersageSK28F202530/06/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumDarley BridgeSK26Q202413/07/20241Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumLower Cromford GardenSK25Y202420/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumNinelands RoadSK28F202218/07/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumHathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F202229/07/20224adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumHathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F202219/07/20224adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumHathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F202210/07/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumStation Road, Darley DaleSK26R202217/07/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumStation Road, Darley DaleSK26R202218/07/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumStation Road, Darley DaleSK26R202219/07/20222adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumStation Road, Darley DaleSK26R202223/07/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumStation Road, Darley DaleSK26R202229/07/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumFindern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A202227/06/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumAllestree, Derby, Elm GroveSK34K202224/02/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumHathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F202102/07/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumHathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F202109/07/20212adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumHathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F202113/07/20212adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumHathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F202123/07/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumStation Road, Darley DaleSK26R202014/07/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumStation Road, Darley DaleSK26R202016/07/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumStation Road, Darley DaleSK26R202021/07/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumAllestree, DerbySK33P202031/07/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumHathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F201915/07/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumStation Road, Darley DaleSK26R201913/07/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumStation Road, Darley DaleSK26R201916/07/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumStation Road, Darley DaleSK26R201922/07/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumFindern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A201924/06/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumBrunt's Farm, GrindlefordSK27P201602/08/20162Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumShirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z201620/07/20161adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumHighcliffe (garden), EyamSK27D201630/07/20161Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumHighcliffe (field), EyamSK27D201630/07/20161Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumWood Lane, Newhall, SwadlincoteSK22V201621/07/20161Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumFirestone Lane, MatlockSK36G201418/07/20142adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201209/08/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumMillers DaleSK17L201211/08/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201212/08/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumSchool Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R201221/07/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumSchool Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R201221/07/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201103/08/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201103/07/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumSchool Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R201108/07/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumDovedaleSK15K201111/07/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumClough Wood,Darley DaleSK26K201114/07/20112Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201118/07/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumSchool Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R201111/07/20113Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumSchool Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R201117/07/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201104/07/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumWelbeck Drive,WingerworthSK36T201108/07/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumSchool Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R201113/07/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumSchool Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R201117/06/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumVia Gellia,CromfordSK25T201125/06/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumMarlborough Rd,Long EatonSK43X201114/06/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201115/06/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumMarlborough Rd,Long EatonSK43X201114/06/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201003/08/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201007/08/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201020/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201009/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201014/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201016/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201026/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201006/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumRose Av,ClowneSK57D201008/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201011/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201013/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201017/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201019/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201022/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201025/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201028/06/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201030/06/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumMatlock Moor,MatlockSK36G200908/08/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200927/07/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200918/07/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200929/06/20092Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200925/06/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200822/07/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200825/07/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200820/07/20082Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200810/07/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200821/07/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200824/07/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200826/07/20084Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200830/07/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200709/08/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumFlash Lane,Beeley MoorSK26X200616/07/20063Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200624/07/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200618/07/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200630/06/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumChurch St,Holloway,MatlockSK35I200513/07/20053Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N200512/07/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumThe Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N200512/07/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumClough Wood,Darley DaleSK26L200121/07/20011Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumUpper Moor,MatlockSK36C200123/07/20011Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumClough Wood,Darley DaleSK26L200121/07/20011Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumUpper Moor, MatlockSK36C200123/07/20011Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumSchool Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R199912/07/19991Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumSchool Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R199915/07/19991Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumLathkill Dale (site not precise)SK16S198612/07/19861Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumLathkill Dale (site not precise)SK16S198626/07/19863Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumMatlock (Teacher Training College)SK36A198331/07/19831Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumBeeley Lodge, ChatsworthSK26U198208/07/19821Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumBeeley Lodge, ChatsworthSK26U198221/07/19822Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumBeeley Lodge, Chatsworth ParkSK26U198208/07/19821Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumBeeley Lodge, Chatsworth ParkSK26U198221/07/19822Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumMatlock (Teacher Training College)SK36A198013/07/19801Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumNewbold Drive, ChesterfieldSK37R196406/06/19641Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumNewbold Drive, ChesterfieldSK37R196406/06/19641Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumNewbold Ave, ChesterfieldSK37R195821/06/19588Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumNewbold Ave, ChesterfieldSK37R195828/06/19587Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumLittle Eaton (site not precise)SK34R190501/01/19051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xestia ditrapeziumLittle Eaton (site not precise)SK34R190001/01/19001Adultvc57_danes_bc_data

Setaceous Hebrew Character       Double Square-spot

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