Sword-grass       Satellite
73.209 BF2241  –  Noctuidae –  Xyleninae – Xylena vetusta – Red Sword-grass – (Hübner, 1813) Adult Macro:  CAT 1 – Distinctive species unlikely to be confused with others –       PDF Icon – click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
Green –  Rare / Uncommon / Scarce   
Taxonomy:   Macro   >>  Noctuidae  >> Xyleninae
ID Difficulty:  green  – 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.
Flight Period: March /  April /  May /  September /  October /  November /  –  On the wing September – November and reappearing March – May. Moth Activity: Nocturnal  Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Jane & Phil Lester, Simon Roddis, Christien Heintzen  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 25 July 2025 by TD ***
Wingspan: 50-57mm
Forewing: 24-29mm Food Plant: Deciduous trees, shrubs, and low plants.
Last Recorded Year: 2024
Last Recorded By – Mark Cocker
Last Recorded General Area – Buxton
IMAGES BELOW:  Curbar, North Derbyshire (left) – Jane & Phil Lester©   /   Darley Dale (right), Derbyshire – Simon Roddis© / Glossop – 3/11/24 – Christian Heintzen©

Red Sword-grass - Noctuidae - Xylena vetusta
Red Sword-grass – Noctuidae – Xylena vetusta
Red Sword-grass - Noctuidae - Xylena vetusta
Red Sword-grass – Noctuidae – Xylena vetusta
Red Sword-grass - 3/11/24 - Glossop - Christien Heintzen
Red Sword-grass – 3/11/24 – Glossop – Christien Heintzen
Red Sword-grass - Noctuidae - Xylena vetusta
Red Sword-grass - Noctuidae - Xylena vetusta
Red Sword-grass - 3/11/24 - Glossop - Christien Heintzen

no images were found

Distribution Map for Xylena vetusta

Found 92 records
    ↳ 2 from After 2025
    ↳ 14 from 2020 - 2024
    ↳ 76 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.

******* Choose ONLY one at a time, of either Monad, Tetrad or Hectad Distribution - each has it's own set of data. Also, the distribution maps cover ALL recorded data. *******

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.

Land-cover * shows the variety of land-cover within the VC57 area, based on the CORINE (Coordination of Information on the Environment) forty-four thematic classes of land-cover. This will show, to a greater or lesser degree, the number and variety of moths found in different land-cover types. The UK continues to operate within the Copernicus programme, with the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) providing Corine Land Cover (CLC) datasets for the UK and its territories.


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.

Visit NBN Site


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%


CUSUM Analysis: Xylena vetusta
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 7 (July) 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 2008, reaching above average levels. The lowest population point occurred near 2024, 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: Xylena vetusta
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Xylena vetusta
( 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 - Xylena vetusta – 92 records available

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

TaxonSite NameTetradYearDateCountStageSource
Xylena vetustaLadycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S202507/03/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaLadycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S202509/03/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaLightwood, Buxton SK, UKSK07M202405/11/20241Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaGlossop, Kidd Road FarmSK09L202403/11/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaHathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F202320/04/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaDerbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G202218/12/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaDerbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G202222/12/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaHathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F202228/10/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaBirch ValeSK08I202217/06/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaRydal Close, Dronfield Woodhouse, DronfieldSK37J202114/07/20211adultDanes_2019-2021
Xylena vetustaHathersageSK28F202009/11/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaThe Mays, Malthouse Lane, FroggattSK27N202023/10/20201adultDanes_2019-2021
Xylena vetustaBirch ValeSK08I202001/05/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaHathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F202017/04/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaBirch ValeSK08I202011/04/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaHathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F202030/03/20202adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaHathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F201930/11/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaHathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F201919/10/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaBirch ValeSK08I201922/04/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaBirch ValeSK08I201920/03/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaWelbeck Drive, WingerworthSK36T201803/05/20181Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaBuxton SK, UKSK07S201804/04/20181Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaBirch ValeSK08I201717/11/20171adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaBirch ValeSK08I201721/04/20171adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaBirch ValeSK08I201719/04/20171adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaShirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z201718/03/20171adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaShirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z201730/03/20171adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaBirch ValeSK08I201630/10/20161adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaParsley Hay (Peak Park Ranger Base)SK16L201623/10/20161Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaBirch ValeSK08I201613/04/20161adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaBirch Barn, New Mills Rd, Birch ValeSK08I201531/10/20151Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaLadycroft AveSK07S201416/11/20141adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaPleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X201407/04/20141Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaHillside, The Hillock, Curbur, CalverSK27M201430/03/20141Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaWelbeck Drive, WingerworthSK36T201326/10/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaParkway, New MillsSK08D201214/11/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaLadycroft Ave,BuxtonSK07S201103/11/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaLadycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S201103/11/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaLadycroft Ave,BuxtonSK07S201130/10/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaFox Lane,Millthorpe,HolmesfieldSK37D201124/10/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaFox Lane,Millthorpe,HolmesfieldSK37D201124/10/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaLadycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S201130/10/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaBuxton SK, UKSK07S201109/04/20111Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Xylena vetustaLadycroft Ave,BuxtonSK07S201108/04/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaLadycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S201108/04/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaLittlewood,Barber Booth,EdaleSK18C201025/04/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201019/03/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaMaynard Arms,GrindlefordSK27P200920/11/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaFox Lane,Millthorpe,HolmesfieldSK37D200902/11/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaFox Lane,Millthorpe,HolmesfieldSK37D200913/11/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaFox Lane,Millthorpe,HolmesfieldSK37D200913/11/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200929/10/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustanr Derwent Arms,WhatstandwellSK35H200929/10/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200914/10/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaBuxton (Cote Heath Allotments - plot )SK07R200930/04/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaNewhaven Farm,NewhavenSK16Q200807/12/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaFox Lane,Millthorpe,HolmesfieldSK37D200814/11/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaOver Haddon (Burton Farm), BakewellSK26D200815/11/20082Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaFox Lane,Millthorpe,HolmesfieldSK37D200803/11/20082Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaFox Lane,Millthorpe,HolmesfieldSK37D200812/11/20084Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaFox Lane,Millthorpe,HolmesfieldSK37D200803/11/20082Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaFox Lane,Millthorpe,HolmesfieldSK37D200812/11/20084Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaFox Lane,Millthorpe,HolmesfieldSK37D200814/11/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaSlagmill Plantation,Beeley MoorSK36E200824/10/20084Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaConksbury Bridge, Over Haddon, BakewellSK26C200813/10/20082Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaFar Lane, Wilday Green, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37H200705/11/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaFar Lane, Wilday Green, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37H200730/10/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaLeash Fen,BaslowSK27X200720/04/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200710/04/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaClough Wood,Darley DaleSK26K200519/03/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200401/11/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaNorthwood,Darley DaleSK26S200217/11/20021Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaSchool Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R200125/10/20011Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaCharlesworth St,Carr Vale,BolsoverSK46U199907/08/19991Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaBaslow (site not precise)SK27L199512/11/19951Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaSt Charles Close, HadfieldSK09D199512/05/19951Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaSt Charles Close, HadfieldSK09D199512/05/19951Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaJohnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C198816/01/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaJohnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C198816/01/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaJohnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C198701/11/19872Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaJohnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C198701/11/19872Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaJohnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C198601/05/19861Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaJohnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C198601/05/19861Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaJohnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C198504/05/19851Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaJohnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C198504/05/19851Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaJohnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C198413/10/19841Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaJohnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C198413/10/19841Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaShipley Wood, Shipley ParkSK44L198325/03/19831Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaMonk Wood, Unstone (site not precise)SK37N195105/10/19511Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaRepton (site not precise)SK32B193004/10/19301Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaRepton (site not precise)SK32B193004/10/19301Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Xylena vetustaBretby Park (site not precise)SK22W188501/01/18851Adultvc57_danes_bc_data

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