70.026 BF1694 – Smoky Wave – Scopula ternata – Schrank, 1802
Adult Macro: CAT 2 – Can be confused with other species – Good photographs maybe required – 
– click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
– click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
– Rare / Uncommon / Scarce
– care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required. ID pointers: This Scopula species doesn’t show any black spots in the wings, only a powdery speckling. The wavy crosslines vary in intensity of colour.
Distribution: (Last record: 18 May 2025 at Lightwood Reserve, Buxton ) – Fairly common locally on the upland areas of north Derbyshire
General Comment: None *** Last updated on 22 February 2026 by TD ***
Forewing: 12-15mm
Last Recorded Year: 2025
Last Recorded By – Sue Taylor (photograph on irecord)
Last Recorded General Area – Lightwood Reserve, Buxton
Selected Images: Matlock 23 June 2006 Graham Finch ©
Image Gallery
No gallery images found for this moth.
Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1960 - 2025) | Immatures: (between 1975 - 1991)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)
Distribution Map for Scopula ternata
Found 93 records
↳ from 2026+
↳ 14 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 79 from Before 2020
↳ from 2026+
↳ 14 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 79 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.
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 – Scopula ternata
⚠️ 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:
Scopula ternata
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Monthly Counts By Year:
Scopula ternata
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only )
First/Last Recorded Dates: Scopula ternata
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: Scopula ternata
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Scopula ternata
AGR: -8.75% | Total % Change: -88.9%
Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Scopula ternata
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Scopula ternata
Scopula ternata
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 - Scopula ternata – 93 records available
Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns
| Site Name | Tetrad | Date | Count | Stage | Recorder | Source | RecordKey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightwood Reserve, Buxton | SK07M | 18/05/2025 | 1 | adult | Taylor, Sue | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC42059533 |
| Glossop, Northwest of Twitchlings | SK09L | 21/07/2024 | 1 | adult | Heintzen, Christian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC38130651 |
| Chunal Moor near Harry Hut | SK09K | 08/07/2024 | 1 | adult | Heintzen, Christian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC38130396 |
| Longdendale, Wildboar Clough Woodland southeast | SK09U | 07/07/2024 | 1 | adult | Heintzen, Christian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC38130392 |
| Glossop, Shawmoor Plantation | SK09F | 28/06/2024 | 1 | adult | Heintzen, Christian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC36773573 |
| Burbage Moor | SK28Q | 25/06/2024 | 1 | Adult | Mella, Pete | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC36641622 |
| Reeve Edge Quarries | SK06E | 17/06/2023 | 1 | adult | Hewitt, Jane | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34361513 |
| Glossop, Bray Clough | SK09K | 02/06/2023 | 2 | adult | Heintzen, Christian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC36336098 |
| Ladycroft Ave | SK07S | 20/06/2022 | 1 | adult | Orridge, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35089620 |
| Buxton SK, UK | SK07S | 18/06/2022 | 1 | Adult | Orridge, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC25898096 |
| Priestcliffe Lees | SK17L | 08/07/2021 | 1 | adult | Faulkner, Peter | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34594503 |
| Derbyshire, England, United Kingdom | SK07S | 03/07/2021 | 1 | Adult | Orridge, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC22783910 |
| Hathersage, Derbyshire, UK | SK28F | 26/06/2021 | 1 | adult | Miles, Claire | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC29594944 |
| Hathersage, Derbyshire, UK | SK28F | 19/06/2021 | 1 | adult | Miles, Claire | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC29593995 |
| Lightwood, Buxton | SK07M | 14/06/2019 | 1 | adult | Orridge, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35097764 |
| Ladycroft Ave | SK07S | 07/06/2018 | 1 | adult | Orridge, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC49166022 |
| Derbyshire, England, United Kingdom | SK07M | 05/06/2018 | 1 | Adult | Orridge, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC22508348 |
| Lightwood | SK07M | 05/06/2018 | 1 | adult | Orridge, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC49168176 |
| School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley Dale | SK26R | 09/08/2013 | 1 | Adult | A. Butler | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJXFS |
| School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley Dale | SK26R | 09/08/2013 | 1 | Adult | A. Butler | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WQ7X9 |
| Wragg's Quarry, Beeley Moor | SK26Y | 15/07/2013 | 4 | Adult | A. Butler;B.L. Statham | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJWY8 |
| Wragg's Quarry, Beeley Moor, Beeley | SK26Y | 15/07/2013 | 4 | Adult | A. Butler;B.L. Statham | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPNUN |
| Beeley Triangle,Beeley Moor | SK26Y | 04/07/2011 | 1 | Adult | A. Butler | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OK6Q9 |
| Beeley Triangle, Beeley Moor, Beeley | SK26Y | 04/07/2011 | 1 | Adult | A. Butler | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WQ2R7 |
| Hellbank Plantation, Matlock (at stile in car pull-in) | SK26Z | 02/06/2011 | 4 | Adult | D.A. Clarke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJRNY |
| Upper Moor,Matlock | SK36C | 02/06/2011 | 1 | Adult | A. Butler | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OK63N |
| Uppermoor, Matlock | SK36C | 02/06/2011 | 2 | Adult | D.A. Clarke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OL039 |
| Froggatt Edge,Froggatt | SK27N | 31/05/2011 | 6 | Adult | D.A. Clarke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJRLM |
| Cross Green Cottages,Flint Lane,South Darley | SK26Q | 23/07/2010 | 1 | Adult | R. Hawksworth | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OKFRH |
| Cross Green Cottages,Flint Lane,South Darley | SK26Q | 12/07/2009 | 1 | Adult | R. Hawksworth | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OKOUI |
| Dovedale | SK15K | 05/07/2009 | 1 | Adult | David Grundy;M.J. Dale | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJMGA |
| Cross Green Cottages,Flint Lane,South Darley | SK26Q | 30/06/2008 | 1 | Adult | R. Hawksworth | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OKK7R |
| Cross Green Cottages,Flint Lane,South Darley | SK26Q | 22/07/2007 | 1 | Adult | R. Hawksworth | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OKHSS |
| Cross Green Cottages,Flint Lane,South Darley | SK26Q | 23/07/2006 | 1 | Adult | R. Hawksworth | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHTST |
| Beeley Moor, Beeley | SK26Y | 17/06/2006 | 1 | Adult | Roddis, Simon | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJCFX |
| Beeley Moor, Beeley | SK26Y | 17/06/2006 | 1 | Adult | Roddis, Simon | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WP6NY |
| Beeley Moor (Triangle) | SK26Z | 05/06/2006 | 7 | Adult | B.L. Statham | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJBVR |
| Beeley - Hell Bank Plantation | SK26Y | 23/06/2005 | 1 | adult | Graham Finch | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC46107138 |
| Blacka Moor | SK28V | 06/07/2003 | 1 | Adult | Housley, P | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC12211946 |
| Blacka Moor, Dore, Sheffield | SK28V | 06/06/2003 | 1 | Adult | BOTTERILL, Mr R.F., BEAUMONT, Mr H.E., HOUSLEY, Mr | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIBT1 |
| Blacka Moor, Dore, Sheffield | SK28V | 06/06/2003 | 1 | Adult | Sorby Nat Hist Soc;H.E. Beaumont;P. Housley;R.F. B | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WQ64Q |
| Matlock Forest, Matlock | SK36G | 01/07/2002 | 5 | Adult | B.L. Statham | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHOP2 |
| Matlock Forest, Matlock | SK36G | 01/07/2002 | 5 | Adult | B.L. Statham | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WQDUB |
| Matlock Forest, Matlock | SK36G | 29/06/2001 | 9 | Adult | B.L. Statham | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJ29O |
| Ramsley Moor (nr track to pumping station), Baslow | SK27Y | 29/06/1993 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHM0Y |
| Ramsley Moor (nr track to pumping station), Baslow | SK27Y | 29/06/1993 | 1 | Adult | L.A. Storer | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPX7G |
| Deep Dale, Buxton | SK07V | 25/06/1993 | 6 | Adult | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIX5G |
| Deep Dale, Buxton | SK07V | 25/06/1993 | 6 | Adult | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPX6M |
| Moor Edge, Birch Vale | SK08I | 29/06/1992 | 1 | Adult | S. Dobson | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OI1G5 |
| Moor Edge, Birch Vale | SK08I | 29/06/1992 | 1 | Adult | S. Dobson | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WOMUV |
| Ashop Clough, nr Glossop | SK09V | 28/06/1992 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIW7P |
| Ashop Clough, nr Glossop | SK09V | 28/06/1992 | 1 | Adult | I.F. Smith;S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WOMUT |
| Matley Moor, Rowarth | SK09F | 07/06/1992 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIVYL |
| Matley Moor, Rowarth | SK09F | 07/06/1992 | 1 | Adult | I.F. Smith;S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WQADI |
| Whiteley Nab, Glossop | SK09G | 07/06/1992 | 3 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIVYM |
| Whiteley Nab, Glossop | SK09G | 07/06/1992 | 5 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIVYN |
| Whiteley Nab, Glossop | SK09G | 07/06/1992 | 3 | Adult | I.F. Smith;S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WQADJ |
| Whiteley Nab, Glossop | SK09G | 07/06/1992 | 5 | Adult | I.F. Smith;S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WQADK |
| Torside, Longdendale | SK09U | 07/06/1992 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIVYO |
| Torside, Longdendale | SK09U | 07/06/1992 | 1 | Adult | I.F. Smith;S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WQADL |
| Shaw Moor Plantation, Glossop | SK09F | 27/06/1991 | 1 | Adult | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIV5Q |
| Shaw Moor Plantation, Glossop | SK09F | 27/06/1991 | 1 | Adult | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WQ58E |
| Charlesworth | SK09B | 13/04/1991 | 1 | Larvae | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OI0ZL |
| Charlesworth | SK09B | 13/04/1991 | 1 | Larvae | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WONBX |
| Middle Moor, Kinder, Hayfield | SK08P | 26/06/1990 | 5 | Adult | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHKTU |
| Middle Moor, Kinder, Hayfield | SK08P | 26/06/1990 | 5 | Adult | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WQ538 |
| Chunnal Moor, Glossop | SK09F | 16/06/1990 | 2 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIUCF |
| Chunnal Moor, Glossop | SK09F | 16/06/1990 | 20 | Adult | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIUCG |
| Chunnal Moor, Glossop | SK09F | 16/06/1990 | 2 | Adult | P.J. Palmer | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WOPRH |
| Chunnal Moor, Glossop | SK09F | 16/06/1990 | 20 | Adult | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WOPRI |
| Whiteley Nab, Glossop | SK09G | 16/06/1990 | 4 | Adult | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIUCE |
| Whiteley Nab, Glossop | SK09G | 16/06/1990 | 4 | Adult | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WOPRG |
| White Brow, Kinder, Hayfield | SK08P | 26/05/1990 | 1 | Adult | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OI0R1 |
| Kinder Bank,Hayfield | SK08N | 25/05/1990 | 8 | Adult | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OI0QQ |
| Kinder Bank,Hayfield | SK08N | 25/05/1990 | 2 | Adult | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OI0QR |
| Chunnal Moor, Glossop | SK09F | 18/06/1989 | 4 | Adult | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OI0EZ |
| Chunnal Moor, Glossop | SK09F | 18/06/1989 | 4 | Adult | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPX04 |
| Matlock Moor,Matlock | SK36G | 13/06/1989 | 4 | Adult | F. Harrison | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OITHP |
| Matlock Moor,Matlock | SK36G | 13/06/1989 | 4 | Adult | F. Harrison | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WORS6 |
| Matlock Forest, Matlock | SK36B | 16/04/1989 | 1 | Adult | K.J. Orpe | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIEQZ |
| Hopton Wood NR, Cromford | SK25T | 11/07/1987 | 6 | Adult | F. Harrison | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OISWE |
| Hopton Wood NR, Cromford | SK25T | 11/07/1987 | 6 | Adult | F. Harrison | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WP8UD |
| Matlock Moor,Matlock | SK36G | 04/07/1987 | 6 | Adult | F. Harrison | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OISTD |
| Matlock Moor,Matlock | SK36G | 04/07/1987 | 6 | Adult | F. Harrison | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WP8U8 |
| Matlock Forest, Matlock (site not precise) | SK36G | 05/06/1982 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHYJE |
| Matlock (Teacher Training College) | SK36A | 14/06/1980 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIMEA |
| Matlock (Teacher Training College) | SK36A | 12/06/1980 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHXPK |
| Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies) | SK26Z | 09/05/1975 | 1 | Larvae | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIIXT |
| Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies) | SK26Z | 26/05/1974 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHF6K |
| Hollingworth Clough, Hayfield (site not precise) | SK08P | 12/07/1964 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHEG7 |
| Hollingworth Clough, Hayfield (site not precise) | SK08P | 20/06/1964 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHEFU |
| Hollingworth Clough, Hayfield (site not precise) | SK08P | 16/06/1964 | 5 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHEFR |
| Gladwin's Mark, Beeley Moor | SK36D | 20/08/1960 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIGUP |