49.285 BF1184  –  Tortricidae –  Olethreutinae – Epiblema scutulana – Thistle Root-borer – ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Adult Micro:  CAT 2 – Can be confused with other species –       PDF Icon – click for General Verification Guidelines  |   PDF Icon – click for Specific Verification Guidelines
Green –  Rare / Uncommon / Scarce   
Taxonomy:   Micro   >>  Tortricidae  >> Olethreutinae
Other Name/s: Thistle Bell
ID Difficulty:  amber  – care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required.
Confusion Species:  Epiblema cirsiana (Knapweed Root-borer)
ID pointers: Large white torno-apical blotch as well as the large white medio-dorsal blotch and a grey hindwing.
Distribution:  (Last record: 6 January 2023 at Hathersage )  –  Harrison & Sterling 9 accounts widespread between 1917 – 1963; DaNES 6 records – 1979-2010 and iRecord 6 records 2014-2023
General Comment: None
Flight Period: May /  June Moth Activity: Cathemeral   – and is attracted to light Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: The late Claire Miles  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Wingspan: 18-23mm
Food Plant: Spear Thistle & Musk Thistle
Last Recorded Year: 2023
Last Recorded By – The late Claire Miles
Last Recorded General Area – Hathersage

Selected Images:  

Hathersage (2022) (2023) The late Claire Miles©



Distribution Map for Epiblema scutulana

Found 13 records
    ↳ from 2026+
    ↳ 6 from 2020 - 2025
    ↳ 7 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 – Epiblema scutulana

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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: Epiblema scutulana
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

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


First/Last Recorded Dates: Epiblema scutulana
Adult-only & Anything [Larvae, Pupae, Adult, Mines]

Shading shows moth presence between dates

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Recordings By Year: Epiblema scutulana
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Epiblema scutulana
AGR: -2.67%   |   Total % Change: -33.3%

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Epiblema scutulana
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Epiblema scutulana
( 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 2020-2026.

Records Behind the Map and Charts - Epiblema scutulana – 13 records available

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

Site NameTetradDateCountStageSource
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S18/07/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F01/06/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hartington MeadowsSK16K21/06/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Markham Vale South TipSK47K09/06/20224adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F20/05/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Havercroft RoadSK38L09/07/20211Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Mam TorSK18G02/06/20141adultvc57_irecords_extract
Biggin Dale, nr HartingtonSK15P12/06/20102Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
DovedaleSK15K07/06/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Pin Dale,CastletonSK18L06/07/19971Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
High Peak JunctionSK35C27/05/19971Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Mapperley NR, Mapperley, IlkestonSK44G07/06/19811Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Carvers Rocks NR,Hartshorne,SwadlincoteSK32G05/06/19791Adultvc57_danes_bc_data

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