73.050 BF2211 – The Wormwood – Cucullia absinthii – (Linnaeus, 1761)
Adult Macro: CAT 2 – Can be confused with other species – Good photographs may be required – 
– click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
– click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
– Significant Record / Very Rare / Vagrant
– care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required. ID pointers: A distinctive feature is the collar that is raised to a “Punk-Like” projection over the head. The fawn-grey ground colour has obvious dark blackish-grey forewing markings. There are black spots in the kidney-mark.
Distribution: (Last record: July 2022 at Breaston ) – Last recorded 2022 – A resident that was once fairly common in the 1960’s and it is now very scarce to rare and very locally distributed in Derbyshire. Very few records in recent years. This specimen was trapped in my garden in 2002. Latest reports 15th September 2017 from Long Eaton and of one trapped in a Breaston garden, July 2022. This species is noted for its habit of avoiding Moth Traps.
General Comment: None *** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Forewing: 16-19mm
Last Recorded Year: July 2022
Last Recorded By – Steve Thorpe
Last Recorded General Area – Breaston
Selected Images:
Image Gallery
Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1956 - 2022) | Immatures: (between 1966 - 1988)
(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 Cucullia absinthii
Found 32 records
↳ from 2026+
↳ 1 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 31 from Before 2020
↳ from 2026+
↳ 1 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 31 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 – Cucullia absinthii
⚠️ 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:
Cucullia absinthii
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Monthly Counts By Year:
Cucullia absinthii
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only )
First/Last Recorded Dates: Cucullia absinthii
Adult-only & Anything [Larvae, Pupae, Adult, Mines]
Shading shows moth presence between dates
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Recordings By Year: Cucullia absinthii
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Cucullia absinthii
AGR: 0% | Total % Change: 0%
Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Cucullia absinthii
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Cucullia absinthii
Cucullia absinthii
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 - Cucullia absinthii – 32 records available
Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns
| Site Name | Tetrad | Date | Count | Stage | Recorder | Source | RecordKey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 19/07/2022 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC41429662 |
| River Erewash, Bridge Farm | SK44R | 15/09/2017 | 1 | Adult | Bryce, Marion | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC6115328 |
| Armitage Drive, Long Eaton | SK53B | 22/07/2003 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJ3Z2 |
| Wilmot St, Sawley, Long Eaton | SK43R | 17/07/2003 | 1 | Adult | A. Braddock | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WP6AO |
| Melbourne, Derbyshire | SK32X | 12/08/2002 | 1 | adult | Davison, Tony | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33088512 |
| The Field,Shipley,Ilkeston | SK44M | 17/07/2002 | 1 | Adult | T. Duro | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHOPE |
| Stocksmoor Farm, Ashover Rd, Old Tupton | SK36S | 25/07/1998 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OI3CW |
| Stevens Rd, Sandiacre | SK43T | 15/08/1996 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHNDM |
| Stevens Rd, Sandiacre | SK43T | 29/07/1996 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHNBA |
| Stevens Rd, Sandiacre | SK43T | 20/07/1996 | 2 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIBNN |
| Lang Rd, Alvaston, Derby | SK33R | 30/07/1992 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OI1JX |
| Grassmoor (site not precise) | SK46D | 21/09/1988 | 25 | Larvae | F. Harrison | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIEOP |
| Wilmot St, Sawley, Long Eaton | SK43R | 05/08/1988 | 1 | Adult | A. Braddock | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OITCZ |
| Wilmot St, Sawley, Long Eaton | SK43R | 02/08/1988 | 1 | Adult | A. Braddock | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIEIL |
| Drummond Rd, Ilkeston | SK44R | 21/07/1982 | 1 | Adult | T. Duro | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIAD6 |
| Drummond Rd, Ilkeston | SK44R | 04/08/1981 | 1 | Adult | T. Duro | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OINZI |
| Wolds Rise, Cavendish Rd, Matlock | SK36A | 31/07/1979 | 1 | Adult | B.L. Statham | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIA0Z |
| Clay Cross (site not precise) | SK36W | 01/09/1973 | 27 | Larvae | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIICB |
| Clay Cross | SK36W | 18/08/1973 | 1 | Larvae | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHF3R |
| waste gnd of Clay Cross Co | SK36W | 27/08/1972 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIHZY |
| Rupert St, Pilsley, Tibshelf | SK46B | 18/06/1971 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHET4 |
| Welbeck Rd, Bolsover | SK47V | 28/07/1969 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIHP2 |
| The Old Manse, Ault Hucknall, Glapwell | SK46S | 24/07/1968 | 1 | Adult | J.H. Johnson | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WP8FD |
| Berry St, Hepthorne Lane, North Wingfield | SK46C | 01/08/1967 | 1 | Adult | J.H. Johnson | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WOQZS |
| Berry St, Hepthorne Lane, North Wingfield | SK46C | 27/07/1967 | 1 | Adult | J.H. Johnson | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WP83P |
| Berry St, Hepthorne Lane, North Wingfield | SK46C | 16/07/1967 | 1 | Adult | J.H. Johnson | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WOQV7 |
| Newbold (waste ground), Chesterfield (site not precise) | SK37R | 17/09/1966 | 28 | Larvae | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIHFU |
| Newbold Rd, Chesterfield | SK37R | 01/09/1962 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIH0F |
| Newbold Ave, Chesterfield | SK37R | 23/07/1959 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIGDW |
| Newbold Ave, Chesterfield | SK37R | 17/07/1959 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHVL0 |
| Newbold Ave, Chesterfield | SK37R | 18/07/1957 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHDOZ |
| Newbold Ave, Chesterfield | SK37R | 29/07/1956 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIDH7 |