73.209 BF2241 – Red Sword-grass – Xylena vetusta – (Hübner, 1813)
Adult Macro: CAT 1 – Distinctive species unlikely to be confused with others –
– click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
– click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
– Rare / Uncommon / Scarce
– easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.ID pointers: This moth has a distinctive habit of resting with wings folded around the body, looking like a piece of twig or wood. The diagnostic feature is the contrast between the straw-yellow leading half of the forewing with an orange red tint and the rich mahogany brown trailing half.
Distribution: (Last record: 5 November 2024 at Buxton ) – A rare species in Derbyshire. Up until 1986 there had only been 6 records and up to 2004, a further 9 reports, a further three records in 2007 and four more in 2009. Reported in small numbers most years from 2009. Most reported from the north west areas of the county indicating a resident population. Records from elsewhere may refer to immigrants.
General Comment: None *** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Forewing: 24-29mm
Last Recorded Year: 2024
Last Recorded By – Mark Cocker
Last Recorded General Area – Buxton
Selected Images: Curbar, North Derbyshire (left) – Jane & Phil Lester© / Darley Dale (right), Derbyshire – Simon Roddis© / Glossop – 3/11/24 – Christian Heintzen©
Image Gallery
No gallery images found for this moth.
Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1930 - 2025) | Immatures: (between 2025 - 2025)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)
Distribution Map for Xylena vetusta
Found 99 records
↳ from 2026+
↳ 20 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 79 from Before 2020
↳ from 2026+
↳ 20 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 79 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 – Xylena vetusta
⚠️ 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:
Xylena vetusta
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Monthly Counts By Year:
Xylena vetusta
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only )
First/Last Recorded Dates: Xylena vetusta
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: Xylena vetusta
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Xylena vetusta
AGR: 0% | Total % Change: 0%
Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Xylena vetusta
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Xylena vetusta
Xylena vetusta
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 - Xylena vetusta – 99 records available
Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns
| Site Name | Tetrad | Date | Count | Stage | Recorder | Source | RecordKey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buxton | SK07R | 08/11/2025 | 1 | adult | White, Ian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC46316248 |
| Hathersage | SK28F | 17/10/2025 | 1 | adult | Kydd, Alan | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC45981237 |
| Hathersage | SK28F | 15/10/2025 | 1 | adult | Kydd, Alan | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC45981224 |
| Eldon Hill Quarry | SK18A | 28/06/2025 | 1 | larva | Hewitt, Jane | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC48197841 |
| Ladycroft Ave, Buxton | SK07S | 09/03/2025 | 1 | adult | Orridge, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC40945447 |
| Ladycroft Ave, Buxton | SK07S | 07/03/2025 | 1 | adult | Orridge, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC40363376 |
| Lightwood, Buxton SK, UK | SK07M | 05/11/2024 | 1 | Adult | MarkCocker | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC39210465 |
| Glossop, Kidd Road Farm | SK09L | 03/11/2024 | 1 | adult | Heintzen, Christian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC39768266 |
| Hathersage, Derbyshire, UK | SK28F | 20/04/2023 | 1 | adult | Miles, Claire | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC30018157 |
| Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long Clough | SK09G | 22/12/2022 | 1 | adult | Heintzen, Christian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC36335625 |
| Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long Clough | SK09G | 18/12/2022 | 1 | adult | Heintzen, Christian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC36335609 |
| Hathersage, Derbyshire, UK | SK28F | 28/10/2022 | 1 | adult | Miles, Claire | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC28567098 |
| Birch Vale | SK08I | 17/06/2022 | 1 | adult | Hewitt, Jane | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34083974 |
| Rydal Close, Dronfield Woodhouse, Dronfield | SK37J | 14/07/2021 | 1 | adult | KAY, Mr P. | Danes_2019-2021 | 176 |
| Hathersage | SK28F | 09/11/2020 | 1 | adult | Kydd, Alan | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC39036378 |
| The Mays, Malthouse Lane, Froggatt | SK27N | 23/10/2020 | 1 | adult | BARNACLE, Mr B.&.Mrs.K. | Danes_2019-2021 | 263 |
| Birch Vale | SK08I | 01/05/2020 | 1 | adult | Hewitt, Jane | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35066337 |
| Hathersage, Derbyshire, UK | SK28F | 17/04/2020 | 1 | adult | Miles, Claire | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC13230158 |
| Birch Vale | SK08I | 11/04/2020 | 1 | adult | Hewitt, Jane | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35067211 |
| Hathersage, Derbyshire, UK | SK28F | 30/03/2020 | 2 | adult | Miles, Claire | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC13125626 |
| Hathersage, Derbyshire, UK | SK28F | 30/11/2019 | 1 | adult | Miles, Claire | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC12283454 |
| Hathersage, Derbyshire, UK | SK28F | 19/10/2019 | 1 | adult | Miles, Claire | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC12278693 |
| Birch Vale | SK08I | 22/04/2019 | 1 | adult | Hewitt, Jane | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35073348 |
| Birch Vale | SK08I | 20/03/2019 | 1 | adult | Hewitt, Jane | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35073292 |
| Welbeck Drive, Wingerworth | SK36T | 03/05/2018 | 1 | Adult | B.J.N. Hill | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WQGNZ |
| Ladycroft Ave | SK07S | 18/04/2018 | 1 | adult | Orridge, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC49165626 |
| Ladycroft Ave, Buxton | SK07S | 18/04/2018 | 1 | adult | Steve A Orridge | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC49168403 |
| Buxton SK, UK | SK07S | 04/04/2018 | 1 | Adult | Orridge, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC22508062 |
| Ladycroft Ave | SK07S | 03/04/2018 | 1 | adult | Orridge, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC49165558 |
| Birch Vale | SK08I | 17/11/2017 | 1 | adult | Hewitt, Jane | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC40500161 |
| Birch Vale | SK08I | 21/04/2017 | 1 | adult | Hewitt, Jane | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC40500920 |
| Birch Vale | SK08I | 19/04/2017 | 1 | adult | Hewitt, Jane | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC40501208 |
| Shirland - Hallfieldgate Lane | SK35Z | 30/03/2017 | 1 | adult | Mahadevan, Nikki | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34968169 |
| Shirland - Hallfieldgate Lane | SK35Z | 18/03/2017 | 1 | adult | Mahadevan, Nikki | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34968162 |
| Birch Vale | SK08I | 30/10/2016 | 1 | adult | Hewitt, Jane | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC41008243 |
| Parsley Hay (Peak Park Ranger Base) | SK16L | 23/10/2016 | 1 | Adult | S. Bell | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPTQM |
| Birch Vale | SK08I | 13/04/2016 | 1 | adult | Hewitt, Jane | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC41007872 |
| Birch Barn, New Mills Rd, Birch Vale | SK08I | 31/10/2015 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OKCKA |
| Ladycroft Ave | SK07S | 16/11/2014 | 1 | adult | Orridge, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC41013639 |
| Pleasley Pit CP, Pleasley | SK46X | 07/04/2014 | 1 | Adult | B.J.N. Hill | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPSQ4 |
| Hillside, The Hillock, Curbur, Calver | SK27M | 30/03/2014 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OLE4S |
| Welbeck Drive, Wingerworth | SK36T | 26/10/2013 | 1 | Adult | B.J.N. Hill | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WP279 |
| Parkway, New Mills | SK08D | 14/11/2012 | 1 | Adult | J. Potts | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJWAC |
| Ladycroft Ave,Buxton | SK07S | 03/11/2011 | 1 | Adult | Orridge, Steve | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OL59H |
| Ladycroft Ave, Buxton | SK07S | 03/11/2011 | 1 | Adult | Orridge, Steve | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPDLR |
| Ladycroft Ave,Buxton | SK07S | 30/10/2011 | 1 | Adult | Orridge, Steve | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJTYC |
| Ladycroft Ave, Buxton | SK07S | 30/10/2011 | 1 | Adult | Orridge, Steve | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPVU2 |
| Fox Lane,Millthorpe,Holmesfield | SK37D | 24/10/2011 | 1 | Adult | D.A. Clarke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OK8C4 |
| Fox Lane,Millthorpe,Holmesfield | SK37D | 24/10/2011 | 1 | Adult | D.A. Clarke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPVTG |
| Buxton SK, UK | SK07S | 09/04/2011 | 1 | Adult | Orridge, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC22503683 |
| Ladycroft Ave,Buxton | SK07S | 08/04/2011 | 1 | Adult | Orridge, Steve | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OKYW1 |
| Ladycroft Ave, Buxton | SK07S | 08/04/2011 | 1 | Adult | Orridge, Steve | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPBI8 |
| Littlewood,Barber Booth,Edale | SK18C | 25/04/2010 | 1 | Adult | J.A. Bower | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJNRR |
| The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley Dale | SK26R | 19/03/2010 | 1 | Adult | Roddis, Simon | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJNN6 |
| Maynard Arms,Grindleford | SK27P | 20/11/2009 | 1 | Adult | J. Culpin | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OK361 |
| Fox Lane,Millthorpe,Holmesfield | SK37D | 13/11/2009 | 1 | Adult | D.A. Clarke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OKFNP |
| Fox Lane,Millthorpe,Holmesfield | SK37D | 13/11/2009 | 1 | Adult | D.A. Clarke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WQ2EB |
| Fox Lane,Millthorpe,Holmesfield | SK37D | 02/11/2009 | 1 | Adult | D.A. Clarke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OKFN9 |
| The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley Dale | SK26R | 29/10/2009 | 1 | Adult | Roddis, Simon | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJNLQ |
| nr Derwent Arms,Whatstandwell | SK35H | 29/10/2009 | 1 | Adult | D.A. Clarke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJNLY |
| The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley Dale | SK26R | 14/10/2009 | 1 | Adult | Roddis, Simon | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OKQX1 |
| Buxton (Cote Heath Allotments - plot ) | SK07R | 30/04/2009 | 1 | Adult | S. Bell | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OK110 |
| Newhaven Farm,Newhaven | SK16Q | 07/12/2008 | 1 | Adult | L. Wakefield | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OKF7X |
| Over Haddon (Burton Farm), Bakewell | SK26D | 15/11/2008 | 2 | Adult | D.A. Clarke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OK0WI |
| Fox Lane,Millthorpe,Holmesfield | SK37D | 14/11/2008 | 1 | Adult | D.A. Clarke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OK0WD |
| Fox Lane,Millthorpe,Holmesfield | SK37D | 14/11/2008 | 1 | Adult | D.A. Clarke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPRPB |
| Fox Lane,Millthorpe,Holmesfield | SK37D | 12/11/2008 | 4 | Adult | D.A. Clarke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OKF7W |
| Fox Lane,Millthorpe,Holmesfield | SK37D | 12/11/2008 | 4 | Adult | D.A. Clarke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPRP9 |
| Fox Lane,Millthorpe,Holmesfield | SK37D | 03/11/2008 | 2 | Adult | D.A. Clarke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OKF70 |
| Fox Lane,Millthorpe,Holmesfield | SK37D | 03/11/2008 | 2 | Adult | D.A. Clarke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPRP3 |
| Slagmill Plantation,Beeley Moor | SK36E | 24/10/2008 | 4 | Adult | D.A. Clarke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJLC7 |
| Conksbury Bridge, Over Haddon, Bakewell | SK26C | 13/10/2008 | 2 | Adult | D.A. Clarke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OK0VO |
| Far Lane, Wilday Green, Barlow, Chesterfield | SK37H | 05/11/2007 | 1 | Adult | D.A. Clarke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJZHQ |
| Far Lane, Wilday Green, Barlow, Chesterfield | SK37H | 30/10/2007 | 1 | Adult | D.A. Clarke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OKJ9C |
| Leash Fen,Baslow | SK27X | 20/04/2007 | 1 | Adult | D.A. Clarke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OI9GH |
| The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley Dale | SK26R | 10/04/2007 | 1 | Adult | Roddis, Simon | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJH28 |
| Clough Wood,Darley Dale | SK26K | 19/03/2005 | 1 | Adult | A. Butler;B.L. Statham | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OI5XG |
| The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley Dale | SK26R | 01/11/2004 | 1 | Adult | Roddis, Simon | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJ89A |
| Northwood,Darley Dale | SK26S | 17/11/2002 | 1 | Adult | Roddis, Simon | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJ2YJ |
| School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley Dale | SK26R | 25/10/2001 | 1 | Adult | A. Butler | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHOLE |
| Charlesworth St,Carr Vale,Bolsover | SK46U | 07/08/1999 | 1 | Adult | N. Jones | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIF2F |
| Baslow (site not precise) | SK27L | 12/11/1995 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OI2JW |
| St Charles Close, Hadfield | SK09D | 12/05/1995 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHMNZ |
| St Charles Close, Hadfield | SK09D | 12/05/1995 | 1 | Adult | P. Greenall | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WQ428 |
| Johnnygate, Barlow, Chesterfield | SK37C | 16/01/1988 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIE1S |
| Johnnygate, Barlow, Chesterfield | SK37C | 16/01/1988 | 1 | Adult | R.T. Doncaster | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WOQ7P |
| Johnnygate, Barlow, Chesterfield | SK37C | 01/11/1987 | 2 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIE1E |
| Johnnygate, Barlow, Chesterfield | SK37C | 01/11/1987 | 2 | Adult | R.T. Doncaster | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WOQ7I |
| Johnnygate, Barlow, Chesterfield | SK37C | 01/05/1986 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHJBF |
| Johnnygate, Barlow, Chesterfield | SK37C | 01/05/1986 | 1 | Adult | R.T. Doncaster | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WQ3YM |
| Johnnygate, Barlow, Chesterfield | SK37C | 04/05/1985 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHZ98 |
| Johnnygate, Barlow, Chesterfield | SK37C | 04/05/1985 | 1 | Adult | R.T. Doncaster | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WOZS4 |
| Johnnygate, Barlow, Chesterfield | SK37C | 13/10/1984 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIRAL |
| Johnnygate, Barlow, Chesterfield | SK37C | 13/10/1984 | 1 | Adult | R.T. Doncaster | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WON3R |
| Shipley Wood, Shipley Park | SK44L | 25/03/1983 | 1 | Adult | T. Duro | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHIAV |
| Monk Wood, Unstone (site not precise) | SK37N | 05/10/1951 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJHNI |
| Repton (site not precise) | SK32B | 04/10/1930 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHEVT |
| Repton (site not precise) | SK32B | 04/10/1930 | 1 | Adult | H.C. Hayward | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPZBQ |
| Bretby Park (site not precise) | SK22W | 01/01/1885 | 1 | Adult | [VC57 Recorder] | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001TAGAA |