Acleris laterana/comariana       Acleris rhombana
49.069 BF1041  –  Tortricidae –  Tortricinae – Acleris sparsana – Lead-coloured Tortrix – ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Adult Micro:  CAT 1 – Distinctive Species –       PDF Icon – click for General Verification Guidelines  |   PDF Icon – click for Specific Verification Guidelines
Blue –  Generally Common / Widespread   
Taxonomy:   Micro   >>  Tortricidae  >> Tortricinae
Other Name/s: Ashy Button
ID Difficulty:  green  – easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.
ID pointers: Variable – Forewing broad – typical form has grey ground colour marked with fine speckles of dark and light colours. Sometimes with a triangular shaped costa blotch.
Distribution:  Common wherever mature Beech (fagus) occurs. Multiple records from across the county.
Flight Period: August /  September /  October /  –  On the wing during August – October. Moth Activity: Nocturnal   – and is attracted to light Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Tony Davison, Clive Ashton  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 7 May 2025 by RP ***
Wingspan: 18-22mm
 Food Plant: ~Beech (Fagus) and Sycamore (Acer).
Recorded dates for Common [Blue code Blue-coded] moths are not stored on the website at this current time.
IMAGES BELOW:  Kings Newton, Derbyshire – Tony Davison© / Cromford – Clive Ashton©

49.069 BF1041 - Tortricidae - Tortricinae - Acleris sparsana
Acleris sparsana – Melbourne – Tony Davison
Acleris sparsana - 3:11:24 - Cromford - Clive Ashton
Acleris sparsana – 3:11:24 – Cromford – Clive Ashton
49.069 BF1041 - Tortricidae - Tortricinae - Acleris sparsana
Acleris sparsana - 3:11:24 - Cromford - Clive Ashton

Acleris sparsana - 3:11:24 - Cromford - Clive Ashton Acleris sparsana -3rd November 2024 - Cromford - Clive Ashton
49.069 BF1041-acleris-sparsana 49.069 BF1041 - Acleris sparsana Melbourne, Derbyshire - Tony Davison©

Distribution Map for Acleris sparsana

Found 161 records
    ↳ 3 from After 2025
    ↳ 93 from 2020 - 2024
    ↳ 65 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 – Acleris sparsana

⚠️ 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: Acleris sparsana
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

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


First/Last Recorded Dates: Acleris sparsana
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: Acleris sparsana
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Acleris sparsana
AGR: -1.19%   |   Total % Change: -25%


CUSUM Analysis: Acleris sparsana
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 4 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 2009, 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: Acleris sparsana
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Acleris sparsana
( 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 - Acleris sparsana – 161 records available

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

TaxonSite NameTetradYearDateCountStageSource
Acleris sparsanaShaw Farm, New Mills VCSJ98Y202512/08/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaHathersageSK28F202518/08/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaHathersageSK28F202508/08/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBelperSK34U202401/11/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaupper cromford gardenSK25Y202403/11/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaOld Park Plantation, BeeleySK26U202403/11/20241Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaLadycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S202401/11/20244adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaLadycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S202403/11/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaupper cromford gardenSK25Y202406/11/20242adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaupper cromford gardenSK25Y202408/11/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaPeak District National Park, Bakewell, England, GBSK26E202411/11/20241Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaupper cromford gardenSK25Y202415/11/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaHigh Leas Farm, RiberSK35D202402/11/20247adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaHigh Leas Farm, RiberSK35D202402/11/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaDerbyshire, UKSK26U202403/11/20241Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaNorton Lees, SheffieldSK38L202402/11/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaOld Park Plantation, BeeleySK26U202403/11/20241Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaDarwin ForestSK26X202401/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaDarwin ForestSK26X202402/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaDarwin ForestSK26X202403/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxton (w)SK07R202404/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaupper cromford gardenSK25Y202405/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaupper cromford gardenSK25Y202408/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxton (w)SK07R202411/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxton (w)SK07R202417/10/20243adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxton (w)SK07R202423/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaAllestree, DerbySK33P202424/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBelperSK34N202424/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaupper cromford gardenSK25Y202428/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxton (w)SK07R202431/10/20244adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaupper cromford gardenSK25Y202431/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBelper, DerbyshireSK34N202428/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaMickleover gardenSK33C202418/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaHathersageSK28F202418/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaHathersageSK28F202425/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaAllestree, DerbySK33P202424/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaNorton Lees, Sheffield (VC)SK38L202406/09/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaNorton Lees, Sheffield (VC)SK38L202408/09/20242adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxton (w)SK07R202413/09/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaDarwin ForestSK26X202430/09/20242adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaFindern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A202417/09/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaNorton Lees, SheffieldSK38L202420/09/20242adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxton (w)SK07R202406/08/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaNorton Lees, Sheffield (VC)SK38L202430/08/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaDerbyshire, UKSK26Q202412/07/20241Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxton SK, UKSK07R202306/11/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxtonSK07R202305/11/20232adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxton SK, UKSK07R202308/10/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxton SK, UKSK07R202308/10/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxton SK, UKSK07R202309/10/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxton SK, UKSK07R202314/10/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaWoodland AveSK43R202308/10/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxton SK, UKSK07R202322/10/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxton SK, UKSK07S202323/10/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaWhite Knowle Road, BuxtonSK07R202309/10/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaShirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z202307/10/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaHigh Leas Farm, RiberSK35D202327/10/20233adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBelper GardenSK34P202307/10/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaLadycroft AveSK07S202324/10/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBelperSK34U202309/10/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaGlossop, Hague Street, Hague StreetSK09G202308/10/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxton SK, UKSK07R202309/09/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxton SK, UKSK07R202309/09/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaInkersall gardenSK47G202307/09/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaInkersall gardenSK47G202303/09/20232adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxton SK, UKSK07R202326/09/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaWoodland AveSK43R202315/09/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxton SK, UKSK07S202318/09/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxton SK, UKSK07S202309/09/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxton SK, UKSK07R202323/08/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaHathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F202225/11/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaHathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F202211/11/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaHathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F202210/10/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaHathersageSK28F202229/10/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaHathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F202216/09/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxton SK, UKSK07S202220/09/20221Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaWaingroves Wood Bat and Moth NightSK44E202220/08/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaFindern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A202218/07/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaWoodland AveSK43R202225/06/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaKirk Hallam, IlkestonSK44K202105/11/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxton SK, UKSK07S202107/10/20211Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaShirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z202108/10/20212adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaLadycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S202108/10/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaLadycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S202109/10/20212adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaHavercroft RoadSK38L202123/10/20211Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaDrakelow, Derbys.SK22F202109/10/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaHathersageSK28F202118/10/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxton SK, UKSK07S202108/09/20211Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaWoodland AveSK43R202110/09/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaWoodland AveSK43R202112/09/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaWoodland AveSK43R202126/09/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaShirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z202124/09/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaHavercroft RoadSK38L202104/09/20211Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBuxton SK, UKSK07S202004/10/20201Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaDerbyshire, England, United KingdomSK07S202016/09/20201Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaFindern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A202013/09/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaHathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F201923/10/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaLadycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S201923/10/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaFindern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A201923/10/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaForbes HoleSK43W201713/10/20171adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaShirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z201628/10/20162Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaNorton Lees gardenSK38L201626/10/20161not recordedvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaNorton Lees gardenSK38L201628/10/20161not recordedvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBackgarden MarehaySK34Z201620/09/20161adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaShirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z201613/09/20161Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaShirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z201613/09/20161adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaNorton Lees gardenSK38L201603/09/20161not recordedvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaSheffield, England, United KingdomSK38L201604/09/20161Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaNot givenSK38K201510/09/20151Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaLadycroft AveSK07S201304/09/20131adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBack Lane,GlapwellSK46T201322/09/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaThe Old Manse, Ault Hucknall, GlapwellSK46S201305/09/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaLadycroft AveSK07S201323/08/20131adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaSchool Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R201214/11/20124Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaWelbeck Drive,WingerworthSK36T201206/10/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaGlebe Rise,Littleover,DerbySK33H201210/10/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaGlebe Rise,Littleover,DerbySK33H201220/10/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaWelbeck Drive,WingerworthSK36T201227/09/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaWelbeck Drive,WingerworthSK36T201230/09/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201231/08/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaSchool Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R201110/10/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaSchool Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R201113/10/20112Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaClough Wood,Darley DaleSK26K201123/10/20112Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaBackgarden MarehaySK34Z201115/09/20111adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBackgarden MarehaySK34Z201129/09/20111adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaBamford St,RipleySK34Z201129/09/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaBamford St,RipleySK34Z201115/09/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaSchool Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R201126/08/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201012/11/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R201026/10/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaLathkill DaleSK26D201004/09/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaCarvers Rocks, Hartshorne, SwadlincoteSK32G200919/09/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaWaingroves Wood,CodnorSK44E200918/09/200910Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaFar Cross,Cavendish Park,MatlockSK36A200915/08/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaAlfreton Park, AlfretonSK45C200821/05/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaFar Cross,Cavendish Park,MatlockSK36A200701/10/20072Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaEdgecote Drive,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V200614/11/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaForemark Reservoir, DerbyshireSK32H200629/10/20062adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaForemark Resr, TicknallSK32H200629/10/20062Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaForemark Resr (pumping station), TicknallSK32H200629/10/20065Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaEdgecote Drive,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V200629/09/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaEdgecote Drive,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V200617/09/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaEdgecote Drive,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V200618/09/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaEdgecote Drive,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V200621/09/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaPleasley Park (centre clearing)SK56H200504/10/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaStarkholmes, Matlock BathSK25Z200506/10/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaChurch St,Holloway,MatlockSK35I200501/07/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaChurch St,Holloway,MatlockSK35I200508/07/20052Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaChurch St,Holloway,MatlockSK35I200522/06/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200405/11/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaEdgecote Drive,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V200431/10/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200423/10/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200430/10/20042Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaMelbourne, DerbyshireSK32X200423/09/20041adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaEdgecote Drive,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V200404/09/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaSpinney Hill,MelbourneSK32X200423/09/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaFOREMARK RESERVOIRSK32H200318/11/20033adultvc57_irecords_extract
Acleris sparsanaForemark Resr, TicknallSK32H200318/11/20033Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaSchool Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R200113/11/20012Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaSchool Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R200114/11/20011Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Acleris sparsanaSchool Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R200118/11/20011Adultvc57_danes_bc_data

Acleris laterana/comariana       Acleris rhombana

Copyright Tony Davison © 2025 www.derbyshiremoths.org

Scroll to Top