– click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
– Rare / Uncommon / Scarce
– care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required. Confusion Species: Dotted Clay; Square-spot Rustic
ID pointers: Fairly unmistakeable and finely marked. A diagnostic feature is the black base to the kidney mark in the central area of the forewing. There are two colour forms, red & grey with pinkish fringes to the outer edge of the forewing.
Distribution: (Last record: 13 September 2025 at Birch Vale ) – A resident species that is locally common and restricted to the upland grit-stone moorlands of Derbyshire. Both red and grey colour forms occur.
General Comment: None *** Last updated on 13 January 2026 by TD ***
Forewing: 16-18mm
Last Recorded Year: 2025
Last Recorded By – Jane Hewitt
Last Recorded General Area – Birch Vale
Selected Images: 28th August 2022 – Hathersage – the late Claire Miles / Froggatt, Derbyshire – Bryan Barnacle©/ Glossop-(2024) Christian Heintzen©
Image Gallery
Distribution Map for Xestia castanea
Found 100 records
↳ from 2026+
↳ 40 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 60 from Before 2020
↳ from 2026+
↳ 40 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 60 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 – Xestia castanea
⚠️ 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:
Xestia castanea
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Monthly Counts By Year: Xestia castanea
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only. )
First/Last Recorded Dates: Xestia castanea
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 castanea
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Xestia castanea
AGR: 4.56% | Total % Change: 166.7%
Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Xestia castanea
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Xestia castanea
Xestia castanea
( 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 2020-2026.
Records Behind the Map and Charts - Xestia castanea – 100 records available
Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns
| Site Name | Tetrad | Date | Count | Stage | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birch Vale | SK08I | 13/09/2025 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Chatsworth House, Bakewell, England, GB | SK27Q | 02/09/2025 | 1 | Adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Bamford, Hope Valley SBE, UK | SK28B | 30/08/2025 | 1 | Adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Bamford, Hope Valley SBE, UK | SK28B | 25/08/2025 | 1 | Adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Bamford, Hope Valley SBE, UK | SK28B | 25/08/2025 | 1 | Adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Nether North Grain, Snake Road | SK19B | 24/08/2025 | 25 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Nether North Grain, Snake Road | SK19B | 24/08/2025 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Cromford Moor | SK25X | 21/08/2025 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Froggatt, Hope Valley | SK27N | 07/09/2024 | 2 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Glossop, Gnat Hole Rough Fields | SK09L | 06/09/2024 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Glossop, Shawmoor Plantation | SK09G | 04/09/2024 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Longdendale, Wildboar Clough Woodland | SK09U | 03/09/2024 | 4 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Charlesworth, Cown Edge Landslide | SK09A | 02/09/2024 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Charlesworth, Cown Edge Landslide | SK09A | 02/09/2024 | 2 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Birch Vale | SK08I | 02/09/2024 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Glossop, Gnat Hole Rough Fields | SK09L | 01/09/2024 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long Clough | SK09G | 31/08/2024 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Glossop, Cown Edge | SK09A | 30/08/2024 | 4 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Glossop, Gnat Hole Rough Fields | SK09L | 29/08/2024 | 5 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Glossop, Upper Bray Clough | SK09K | 27/08/2024 | 8 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Glossop, The Twitchlings | SK09K | 26/08/2024 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Glossop, Chunal Moor | SK09F | 20/08/2024 | 2 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Glossop, The Twitchlings | SK09L | 18/08/2024 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Longdendale, Torside Clough | SK09T | 17/08/2024 | 10 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Longdendale, Torside Clough, Long Gutter Edge | SK09T | 16/08/2024 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Glossop, Upper Bray Clough | SK09K | 10/08/2024 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Birch Vale | SK08I | 06/09/2023 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Lightwood | SK07M | 03/09/2023 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Birch Vale | SK08I | 01/09/2023 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Glossop, Upper Bray Clough | SK09K | 27/08/2023 | 20 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Glossop, Moorfield, Wood's Cabin | SK09L | 25/08/2023 | 7 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Glossop, Shawmoor Plantation | SK09F | 23/08/2023 | 14 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Longdendale, Wildboar Clough | SK09U | 22/08/2023 | 3 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Glossop, Black Moor (m altitude) | SK09Q | 15/08/2023 | 3 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Glossop, Shawmoor Plantation | SK09F | 06/09/2022 | 5 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Glossop, Hague Street, Hay meadow | SK09G | 30/08/2022 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Hathersage | SK28F | 29/08/2022 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Hathersage, Derbyshire, UK | SK28F | 28/08/2022 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Birch Vale | SK08I | 20/08/2021 | 1 | Adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Birch Vale | SK08I | 04/09/2020 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Barbrook Resvr, Baslow | SK27T | 27/08/2019 | 2 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Birch Vale | SK08I | 25/08/2019 | 3 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Birch Vale | SK08I | 24/08/2019 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Birch Vale | SK08I | 25/09/2018 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Birch Vale | SK08I | 02/09/2018 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Birch Vale | SK08I | 20/08/2018 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Matlock Moor,Matlock | SK36A | 01/08/2014 | 1 | Larvae | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Beeley Moor (Wragg's Quarry) | SK26Y | 03/09/2012 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Wragg's Quarry, Beeley Moor, Beeley | SK26Y | 03/09/2012 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| The Mays,Malthouse Lane,Froggatt | SK27N | 02/09/2011 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| The Mays,Malthouse Lane,Froggatt | SK27N | 02/09/2011 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| The Mays,Malthouse Lane,Froggatt | SK27N | 29/08/2011 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| The Mays,Malthouse Lane,Froggatt | SK27N | 29/08/2011 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Beeley Triangle,Beeley Moor | SK26Y | 22/08/2011 | 4 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Beeley Triangle, Beeley Moor, Beeley | SK26Y | 22/08/2011 | 4 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Buxton (Cote Heath Allotments - plot ) | SK07R | 28/09/2008 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Cross Green Cottages,Flint Lane,South Darley | SK26Q | 11/09/2008 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Flash Lane,Beeley Moor | SK26X | 29/08/2008 | 3 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Cross Green Cottages,Flint Lane,South Darley | SK26Q | 24/08/2008 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| The Field,Shipley,Ilkeston | SK44M | 20/07/2007 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| The Field,Shipley,Ilkeston | SK44M | 20/07/2007 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Leash Fen area, Clod Hill Moor, Baslow | SK27W | 28/08/2005 | 5 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Leash Fen area, Clod Hill Moor, Baslow | SK27W | 28/08/2005 | 5 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Poolsbrook, Staveley (site not precise) | SK47G | 21/08/2005 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Poolsbrook, Staveley (site not precise) | SK47G | 21/08/2005 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley Dale | SK26R | 08/09/2003 | 2 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Longshaw Est, Padley Gorge | SK28K | 22/08/2003 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Blacka Moor,Totley | SK28V | 25/08/1999 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Bleaklow | SK09X | 14/09/1996 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Bleaklow | SK09X | 14/09/1996 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Slagmill Plantation, Beeley Moor (site not precise) | SK36E | 31/08/1991 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies) | SK26Z | 25/08/1991 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Woodlands, Combs, Chapel en le Frith | SK07P | 15/08/1991 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies) | SK26Z | 26/08/1990 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Beeley Moor (Bomb Hole) | SK26Z | 14/09/1986 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Beeley Moor (Bomb Hole) | SK26Z | 14/09/1986 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies) | SK26Z | 24/08/1986 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies) | SK26Z | 20/08/1983 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precise) | SK26Z | 20/08/1983 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies) | SK26Z | 09/05/1975 | 1 | Larvae | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Wragg's Quarry, Beeley Moor | SK26Y | 04/05/1971 | 5 | Larvae | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Wragg's Quarry, Beeley Moor, Beeley | SK26Y | 04/05/1971 | 5 | Larvae | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Slagmill Plantation,Beeley Moor | SK36E | 17/09/1963 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Gladwin's Mark, Beeley Moor | SK36D | 20/08/1960 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Hell Bank, Beeley Moor | SK26Z | 13/08/1960 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| The Croft, Pig Lane, Beeley, Matlock | SK26T | 01/10/1959 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| The Croft, Pig Lane, Beeley | SK26T | 01/10/1959 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Slagmill Plantation,Beeley Moor | SK36E | 08/08/1959 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Wraggs Quarry, Rowsley | SK26Y | 04/08/1957 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Wragg's Quarry, Beeley Moor, Beeley | SK26Y | 04/08/1957 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies) | SK26Z | 21/08/1952 | 3 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Beeley Moor (Slagmill Plantation) (site not precise) | SK36E | 21/08/1952 | 2 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precise) | SK26Z | 21/08/1952 | 3 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Beeley Moor (Slagmill Plantation) (site not precise) | SK36E | 21/08/1952 | 2 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Totley Moor, Owler Bar (site not precise) | SK27U | 10/05/1950 | 1 | Larvae | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Totley Moor, Owler Bar (site not precise) | SK27U | 10/05/1950 | 1 | Larvae | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Froggatt Edge,Froggatt | SK27N | 01/01/1946 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Froggatt Edge,Froggatt | SK27N | 01/01/1946 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Baslow (site not precise) | SK27L | 01/01/1905 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Baslow (site not precise) | SK27L | 01/01/1900 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |