Tawny Pinion       Grey Shoulder-knot
73.201 BF2236  –  Noctuidae –  Xyleninae – Lithophane socia – Pale Pinion – (Clerck, 1759) 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  >> Xyleninae
ID Difficulty:  amber  – care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required.
Confusion Species:  Tawny Pinion
ID pointers: Looks remarkably like a piece of plant stem, twig or tree bark. Ground colour of the long slender wing is a pale straw-brown, suffused with grey and darker brown markings. Has tufted crests at the shoulders and lacks the black bar in trailing corner of forewing as per Tawny Pinion. There is a blackish or greyish patch in the central area of the forewing.
Distribution:  (First record: 1990 )  –  (Last record: 31 March 2025 at Darwin Forest )  –  Small numbers each year mainly from the central area of the county. Probably now well established and thinly distributed.
General Comment: None Flight Period: March /  April /  May /  October /  November –  On the wing October – November and March – May. Moth Activity: Nocturnal  Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Stephen Plant, Dave Evans  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Wingspan: 38-42mm
Forewing: 17-20mm Food Plant: Sallow (Salix), and when more mature feed on low plants such as Dock (Rumex).
Last Recorded Year: 2025
First Recorded Year: 1990
Last Recorded By – Dave Evans
Last Recorded General Area – Darwin Forest
Selected Images:  Allestree, Derbyshire 4/4/2023 – Stephen Plant© / Darwin Forest 31/3/2025 – Dave Evans©

Pale Pinion - 4th April 2023 -Allestree - Stephen Plant
Pale Pinion – Allestree – Stephen Plant
Pale Pinion - 31st march 2025 - Darwin Forest, Matlock - Dave Evans
Pale Pinion – 31st march 2025 – Darwin Forest, Matlock – Dave Evans
Pale Pinion - 4th April 2023 -Allestree - Stephen Plant
Pale Pinion - 31st march 2025 - Darwin Forest, Matlock - Dave Evans


Image Gallery

Pale Pinion - 31st march 2025 - Darwin Forest, Matlock - Dave Evans

Distribution Map for Lithophane socia

Found 173 records
    ↳ 13 from After 2025
    ↳ 58 from 2020 - 2024
    ↳ 102 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 – Lithophane socia

⚠️ 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: Lithophane socia
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

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


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


CUSUM Analysis: Lithophane socia
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 3 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 10 (October) 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 2005, reaching above average levels. The lowest population point occurred near 2018, 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: Lithophane socia
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Lithophane socia
( 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 - Lithophane socia – 173 records available

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

Site NameTetradDateCountStageSource
Inkersall gardenSK47G11/08/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Cote Heath Allotments, BuxtonSK07R14/05/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
MellorSJ98Z10/05/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Aston-on-Trent, DerbyshireSK43A08/05/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Markham Vale DerbyshireSK47L28/04/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Darwin ForestSK26X31/03/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Midway, Derbys.SK32A30/03/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
King's NewtonSK32Y30/03/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ashford in the Water, Old Marble Mill.SK16Z27/03/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Millers Dale, DerbyshireSK17G22/03/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Meersbrook Park RoadSK38M21/03/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, DerbyshireSK33A20/03/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Inkersall gardenSK47G08/03/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R16/08/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Havercroft RoadSK38L11/04/20241Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S06/04/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S01/04/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S27/03/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Sandiacre garden trapSK43S25/03/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Sandiacre garden trapSK43S25/03/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ilkeston, DerbyshireSK44K25/03/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
SandiacreSK43T21/03/20242adultvc57_irecords_extract
BelperSK34N21/03/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S20/03/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Norton Lees, Sheffield, UKSK38L19/03/20241Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R17/03/20242adultvc57_irecords_extract
Lower Cromford GardenSK25Y14/03/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Inkersall gardenSK47G13/03/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
SandiacreSK43T13/03/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Lower Cromford GardenSK25Y12/03/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland Avenue MothtrapSK43R06/03/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Allestree, DerbySK33P17/02/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Allestree, DerbySK33P17/02/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07R27/10/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Glossop, Gnat Hole Rough FieldsSK09L14/05/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Glossop, Gnat Hole Rough FieldsSK09L29/04/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
HathersageSK28F28/04/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G26/04/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
HathersageSK28F21/04/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F16/04/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Glossop, Hague Street, Hay meadowSK09G16/04/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Glossop, Gnat Hole Rough FieldsSK09L14/04/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F08/04/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Glossop, Gnat Hole Rough FieldsSK09L08/04/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Upper Cromford GardenSK25Y07/04/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G06/04/20232adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07S01/04/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Birch ValeSK08I31/03/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft AveSK07S31/03/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R26/03/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F23/03/20233adultvc57_irecords_extract
Forbes Hole LNRSK43W15/07/20222adultvc57_irecords_extract
Forbes Hole LNRSK43W15/07/20222adultvc57_irecords_extract
Orchid WoodSK43L08/05/20222adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A29/04/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Kirk Hallam, IlkestonSK44K12/04/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R28/03/20221Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R23/03/20221Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft AveSK07S21/03/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
SandiacreSK43T16/03/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R15/03/20222Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F30/04/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F26/04/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07S24/04/20211Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R19/04/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Shirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z02/04/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F19/03/20212adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R19/03/20214adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F14/03/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Midway, Derbys.SK32A24/02/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07L11/04/20201Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Weleda Site, IlkestonSK44M07/08/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
The Mays, Malthouse Lane, FroggattSK27N26/05/20191adultDanes_2019-2021
The Mays, Malthouse Lane, FroggattSK27N18/04/20191adultDanes_2019-2021
The Mays, Malthouse Lane, FroggattSK27N27/03/20192adultDanes_2019-2021
Ashford In the Water (Marble Mill)SK16Z26/03/20191adultDanes_2019-2021
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S22/03/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S22/03/20191adultDanes_2019-2021
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y21/03/20192Adultvc57_irecords_extract
The Mays, Malthouse Lane, FroggattSK27N20/03/20191adultDanes_2019-2021
Shirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z18/05/20181adultvc57_irecords_extract
Stretton Handley School - Beresford LnSK36Q18/04/20181Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Pleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X01/04/20171Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Pleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X31/03/20171Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Norton LeesSK38L13/03/20171Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Wood Lane, Newhall, SwadlincoteSK22V10/03/20171Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Pleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X08/05/20161Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z24/04/20161adultvc57_irecords_extract
Backgarden MarehaySK34Z19/04/20161adultvc57_irecords_extract
Pleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X02/04/20161Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Welbeck Drive, WingerworthSK36T31/03/20161Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Welbeck Drive, WingerworthSK36T28/03/20161Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Backgarden MarehaySK34Z12/03/20161adultvc57_irecords_extract
Backgarden MarehaySK34Z23/05/20151adultvc57_irecords_extract
Welbeck Drive,WingerworthSK36T26/04/20151Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Birch ValeSK08I18/04/20151adultvc57_irecords_extract
Birch Barn, New Mills Rd, Birch ValeSK08I18/04/20151Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shirland-Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z09/04/20151Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Brushfield Spar Quarry, Monsal Dale, Little LongstoneSK17Q17/05/20141Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Pleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X17/03/20141Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Macclesfield Rd, Whaley BridgeSK08A04/10/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Backgarden MarehaySK34Z10/04/20131adultvc57_irecords_extract
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R05/03/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R05/03/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R29/03/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R25/03/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Glebe Rise,Littleover,DerbySK33H25/03/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Newboundmill Lane,PleasleySK56C20/03/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Oaks Barn Cottage, Monyash Rd, Over Haddon, BakewellSK26D31/10/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Cross Green Cottages,Flint Lane,South DarleySK26Q09/05/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lowes Hill,RipleySK35V26/04/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Newboundmill Lane,PleasleySK56C17/04/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave,BuxtonSK07S16/04/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S16/04/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Littlewood,Barber Booth,EdaleSK18C12/04/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R11/04/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Oaks Barn Cottage, Monyash Rd, Over Haddon, BakewellSK26D21/10/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Conksbury Bridge, Over Haddon, BakewellSK26C03/10/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ault Hucknall,GlapwellSK46S18/09/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ault Hucknall, GlapwellSK46S18/09/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N22/05/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N22/05/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Newboundmill Lane,PleasleySK56C22/04/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Newboundmill Lane,PleasleySK56C22/04/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R09/04/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lancaster Ave,SandiacreSK43S09/04/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies, Station Rd, Darley DaleSK26R09/04/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lancaster Ave,SandiacreSK43S09/04/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ault Hucknall,GlapwellSK46S31/03/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ault Hucknall, GlapwellSK46S31/03/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Newboundmill Lane,PleasleySK56C30/03/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Newboundmill Lane,PleasleySK56C30/03/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N22/03/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N22/03/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ault Hucknall,GlapwellSK46S21/03/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ault Hucknall, GlapwellSK46S21/03/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N17/03/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N17/03/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Fox Lane,Millthorpe,HolmesfieldSK37D14/11/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Fox Lane,Millthorpe,HolmesfieldSK37D14/11/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Over Haddon (Church), BakewellSK26D22/10/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Conksbury Bridge, Over Haddon, BakewellSK26C22/10/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ault Hucknall,GlapwellSK46S11/05/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ault Hucknall, GlapwellSK46S11/05/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ault Hucknall,GlapwellSK46S03/04/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ault Hucknall, GlapwellSK46S03/04/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ault Hucknall,GlapwellSK46S12/10/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ault Hucknall, GlapwellSK46S12/10/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N12/04/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N12/04/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R23/03/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R23/03/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Church St,Holloway,MatlockSK35I06/05/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Church St,Holloway,MatlockSK35I06/05/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ault Hucknall,GlapwellSK46S09/09/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N02/04/20052Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N02/04/20052Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N13/04/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N13/04/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Buxton SK, UKSK07S08/04/20041Adultvc57_irecords_extract
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R31/03/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R29/03/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
St Charles Close, HadfieldSK09D23/03/20031Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
St Charles Close, HadfieldSK09D23/03/20031Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave,BuxtonSK07S19/03/20031Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S19/03/20031Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Far Cross,Cavendish Park,MatlockSK36A14/10/20011Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
St Charles Close, HadfieldSK09D23/04/20011Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
St Charles Close, HadfieldSK09D23/04/20011Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave,BuxtonSK07S29/06/19991Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lumb House, Eversleigh Rise, South Darley, Darley BridgeSK26Q01/04/19901Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Elvaston Park (Hall), DerbySK43B06/03/19891Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Elvaston Park (Hall), DerbySK43B06/03/19891Adultvc57_danes_bc_data

Tawny Pinion       Grey Shoulder-knot

Copyright Tony Davison © 2025 www.derbyshiremoths.org

Scroll to Top