Hedge Rustic - Noctuidae - Tholera cespitis
73.252 BF2177  – Hedge Rustic  – Tholera cespitis  – ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
Adult Macro:  CAT 2 – Can be confused with other species – Good photographs may be required – Can be confused with other species      
PDF Icon – click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines Verification Notes: A species in decline CAT set to CAT2 – photos required


Green –  Rare / Uncommon / Scarce        red – Red-listed
Taxonomy:   Macro  >>.  >>  Noctuidae  >> Hadeninae
ID Difficulty:  green  – easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.
ID pointers: A rather thick set moth with broad wings that are blackish with bright creamy-yellow cross-lines and also outlined oval and kidney mark. The whole wing is dusted in a golden yellow and several cross-lines are also bordered in golden yellow.
Distribution:  (First record: 1952 )  –  (Last record: 23 August 2023 at Cromford )  –  A nationally endangered species with a large decline in population. A  resident that is generally uncommon and confined to the central and northern areas of Derbyshire. The population has declined in recent years and the moth is now only found in small numbers. First recorded in Derbyshire in 1952 and first record this century was in 2006. 
General Comment: None
Flight Period: August /  September –  On the wing August – September Moth Activity: Nocturnal   – and is attracted to light Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Bryan Barnacle  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 15 January 2026 by TD ***
Wingspan: 34-40mm
Forewing: 15-19mm
Food Plant: Mat-grass (Nodus stricta), Hair-grass (Deschampsia spp.).
First Recorded Year: 1952
Last Recorded By – Clive Ashton
Last Recorded General Area – Cromford

Selected Images:  Froggatt, Derbyshire – Bryan Barnacle©



Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1957 - 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 Tholera cespitis

Found 57 records
    ↳ from 2026+
    ↳ 6 from 2020 - 2025
    ↳ 51 from Before 2020
Flying
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

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 – Tholera cespitis

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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.

Visit NBN Site


Monthly Records By Year: Tholera cespitis
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

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

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

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Tholera cespitis
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Tholera cespitis

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 - Tholera cespitis – 57 records available

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

Site Name Tetrad Date Count Stage Recorder Source RecordKey
Bamford, Hope Valley SBE, UK SK28B 30/08/2025 1 Adult Forton, Roger vc57_irecords_extract iBRC44926570
Bamford, Hope Valley SBE, UK SK28B 25/08/2025 1 Adult Forton, Roger vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45179575
Hathersage SK28F 25/08/2025 1 adult Kydd, Alan vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45069383
Hathersage SK28F 22/08/2025 1 adult Kydd, Alan vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45069355
Upper Cromford Garden SK25Y 23/08/2023 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC34568533
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UK SK28F 28/08/2022 1 adult Miles, Claire vc57_irecords_extract iBRC28390915
Ashford In the Water (Marble Mill) SK16Z 10/09/2019 1 adult BELL, Mr S. Danes_2019-2021 937
The Mays, Malthouse Lane, Froggatt SK27N 08/09/2019 1 adult BARNACLE, Mr B.&.Mrs.K. Danes_2019-2021 938
Not given SK27N 12/09/2015 1 Adult Barnacle, Bryan vc57_irecords_extract iBRC2503827
Hartington (station quarry) SK16K 03/09/2013 1 Adult S. Bell vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OLDPP
Jim Mart Nature Reserve SK36S 03/09/2013 1 Adult Mahadevan, Nikki vc57_irecords_extract iBRC34906397
Lang Rd, Alvaston, Derby SK33R 25/06/2013 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OKEMW
Oaks Barn Cottage, Monyash Rd, Over Haddon, Bakewell SK26D 04/09/2011 1 Adult D.A. Clarke vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OK7YC
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,Froggatt SK27N 04/09/2011 1 Adult Barnacle, Brian vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OK7YX
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,Froggatt SK27N 04/09/2011 1 Adult B. Barnacle;K. Barnacle vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WPDH4
Lathkill Dale (woodland edge),Youlgreave SK16X 03/09/2011 3 Adult Dave Budworth;D.A. Clarke;P. Patrick vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OL49A
Lathkill Dale (woodland edge),Youlgreave SK16X 03/09/2011 3 Adult Dave Budworth;D.A. Clarke;P. Patrick vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WPBTT
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,Froggatt SK27N 03/09/2011 1 Adult Barnacle, Brian vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OK7XS
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,Froggatt SK27N 03/09/2011 1 Adult B. Barnacle;K. Barnacle vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WPBUC
Dovedale SK15K 29/08/2011 4 Adult David Grundy vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OJTFT
Dovedale SK15K 29/08/2011 1 Adult David Grundy vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OJTGD
Dovedale SK15K 29/08/2011 4 Adult David Grundy vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OL41H
Dovedale SK15K 29/08/2011 1 Adult David Grundy vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OL42G
Dovedale (stepping stones) SK15K 19/09/2010 5 Adult David Grundy vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OJQRU
Dovedale SK15K 19/09/2010 2 Adult David Grundy vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OK578
Dovedale SK15K 19/09/2010 5 Adult David Grundy vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OKXZA
Dovedale SK15K 19/09/2010 2 Adult David Grundy vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OKXZQ
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley Dale SK26R 01/09/2000 1 Adult A. Butler vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OJ21B
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley Dale SK26R 01/09/2000 1 Adult A. Butler vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WQ5WA
The Field,Shipley,Ilkeston SK44M 24/08/1995 1 Adult T. Duro vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIZEF
The Field,Shipley,Ilkeston SK44M 24/08/1995 1 Adult T. Duro vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WOQ1X
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies) SK26Z 24/08/1986 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIB0I
Beeley Lodge, Chatsworth SK26U 10/09/1982 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OHI94
Beeley Lodge, Chatsworth Park SK26U 10/09/1982 1 Adult A.C. Warne vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WORJD
Askew Grove, Repton SK32D 07/09/1981 1 Adult D.A. Young vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIO9R
Wragg's Quarry,Rowsley Moor SK26Y 05/09/1981 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OHYDA
Wragg's Quarry, Beeley Moor, Beeley SK26Y 05/09/1981 1 Adult B. Elliott vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WPJ4N
Askew Grove, Repton SK32D 08/08/1981 1 Adult D.A. Young vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIO18
Atlow Mill, Derbs. SK24J 05/08/1979 1 Adult Jon F H Cole vc57_irecords_extract iBRC4726955
Moorlawn Ave, Holymoorside SK36P 10/10/1978 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OHGGH
Moorlawn Ave, Holymoorside SK36P 10/10/1978 1 Adult B. Elliott vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WOPE2
Atlow Mill, Derbs. SK24J 02/09/1975 1 Adult Jon F H Cole vc57_irecords_extract iBRC4726923
The Old Manse, Ault Hucknall, Glapwell SK46S 07/09/1968 1 Adult J.H. Johnson vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WOYWE
Berry St, Hepthorne Lane, North Wingfield SK46C 06/09/1968 1 Adult J.H. Johnson vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WQ121
The Old Manse, Ault Hucknall, Glapwell SK46S 31/08/1968 1 Adult J.H. Johnson vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WQ0ZR
The Old Manse, Ault Hucknall, Glapwell SK46S 30/08/1968 1 Adult J.H. Johnson vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WPGDI
Newbold Rd, Chesterfield SK37R 01/09/1962 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIH0K
Newbold Rd, Chesterfield SK37R 28/08/1962 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIH08
Gladwin's Mark, Beeley Moor SK36D 10/09/1960 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OHVRE
Moorend, Beeley, Matlock SK26T 01/09/1959 2 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIGFM
Moorend, Beeley SK26T 01/09/1959 2 Adult B.S. Fletcher vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WQ06A
Moorend, Beeley, Matlock SK26T 28/08/1959 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIGF5
Moorend, Beeley SK26T 28/08/1959 1 Adult B.S. Fletcher vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WQ05U
Newbold Ave, Chesterfield SK37R 21/08/1959 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIDMH
Moorend, Beeley, Matlock SK26T 20/08/1959 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIDM5
Moorend, Beeley SK26T 20/08/1959 1 Adult B.S. Fletcher vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WPIQR
Newbold Ave, Chesterfield SK37R 05/09/1957 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIFLP

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