Peppered Moth       Scarce Umber
70.253 BF1932  –  Geometridae –  Larentiinae – Agriopis leucophaearia – Spring Usher – ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Adult Macro:  CAT 1 – Distinctive species unlikely to be confused with others –       PDF Icon – click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
Blue –  Generally Common / Widespread   
Taxonomy:   Macro   >>  Geometridae  >> Larentiinae
ID Difficulty:  green  – easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.
ID pointers: The forewing is very triangular, but with a rounded tip. Variable as detailed below in Christian’s excellent montage. Female is wingless. Smaller than other closely related species.
Distribution:  A resident that is locally distributed but fairly common in old woodlands in Derbyshire.
Flight Period: January /  February /  March /  –  January – March – one generation. Moth Activity: Nocturnal  –  The females climb up tree trunks and the males fly weakly to them, also being attracted to light Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Christian Heintzen; Dave Evans  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 21 July 2025 by WS ***
Wingspan: 23-28mm
Forewing: 14-17mm
Recorded dates for Common [Blue code Blue-coded] moths are not stored on the website at this current time.
IMAGES BELOW:  Wildboar Clough, Longdendale, Derbyshire – Christian Heintzen ©; Long Clough January; February 2025 – Christian Heintzen©/ Belper (2025) Dave Evans©

70.253 BF1932 - Spring Usher - Geometridae - Agriopis leucophaearia
Spring Usher – Agriopis leucophaearia – Christian Heintzen
Spring Usher - 14th January 2025 - Long Clough - Christian Heintzen
Spring Usher – 14th January 2025 – Long Clough – Christian Heintzen
Spring Usher - 3rd February 2025 -Long Clough - Christian Heintzen
Spring Usher – 3rd February 2025 -Long Clough – Christian Heintzen
Spring Usher - female - 6th April 2015 - Belper - Dave Evans
Spring Usher – female – 6th April 2015 – Belper – Dave Evans
Spring Usher - 20th Feb 2025 - Belper - Dave Evans
Spring Usher – 20th Feb 2025 – Belper – Dave Evans
70.253 BF1932 - Spring Usher - Geometridae - Agriopis leucophaearia
Spring Usher - 14th January 2025 - Long Clough - Christian Heintzen
Spring Usher - 3rd February 2025 -Long Clough - Christian Heintzen
Spring Usher - female - 6th April 2015 - Belper - Dave Evans
Spring Usher - 20th Feb 2025 - Belper - Dave Evans

Spring Usher - 3rd February 2025 -Long Clough - Christian Heintzen Spring Usher - 3rd February 2025 -Long Clough - Christian Heintzen
Spring Usher - 14th January 2025 - Long Clough - Christian Heintzen Spring Usher - 14th January 2025 - Long Clough - Christian Heintzen

Distribution Map for Agriopis leucophaearia

Found 74 records
    ↳ 5 from After 2025
    ↳ 10 from 2020 - 2024
    ↳ 59 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 – Agriopis leucophaearia

⚠️ 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: Agriopis leucophaearia
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

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


First/Last Recorded Dates: Agriopis leucophaearia
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: Agriopis leucophaearia
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Agriopis leucophaearia
AGR: 3.2%   |   Total % Change: 120%


CUSUM Analysis: Agriopis leucophaearia
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 13 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 2025, reaching above average levels. The lowest population point occurred near 2023, 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: Agriopis leucophaearia
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Agriopis leucophaearia
( 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 - Agriopis leucophaearia – 74 records available

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

TaxonSite NameTetradYearDateCountStageSource
Agriopis leucophaeariaDerbyshire Wildlife Trust Long Clough WoodandSK09G202503/02/20254adultvc57_irecords_extract
Agriopis leucophaeariaBelperSK34N202520/02/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Agriopis leucophaeariaDerbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G202519/02/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Agriopis leucophaeariaGlossop, Shawmoor PlantationSK09G202521/02/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Agriopis leucophaeariaDerbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G202514/01/20254adultvc57_irecords_extract
Agriopis leucophaeariaBelperSK34U202401/02/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Agriopis leucophaeariaGlossop, Shire Hill, southSK09M202401/02/202410adultvc57_irecords_extract
Agriopis leucophaeariaDerbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G202402/02/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Agriopis leucophaeariaLongdendale, Wildboar CloughSK09U202415/02/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Agriopis leucophaeariaLongdendale, Wildboar CloughSK09U202428/01/20246adultvc57_irecords_extract
Agriopis leucophaeariaLower Cromford GardenSK25Y202320/02/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Agriopis leucophaeariaGlossop, Shire Hill, southSK09M202302/02/20233adultvc57_irecords_extract
Agriopis leucophaeariaGlossop, Shire Hill, southSK09M202316/02/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Agriopis leucophaeariaDerbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G202324/01/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Agriopis leucophaeariaHathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F202120/02/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Agriopis leucophaeariaHavercroft RoadSK38L201913/02/20191Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Agriopis leucophaeariaThe Mays, Malthouse Lane, FroggattSK27N201917/02/20191adultDanes_2019-2021
Agriopis leucophaeariaBirch ValeSK08I201911/01/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Agriopis leucophaeariaBowden Bridge (car park), HayfieldSK08N201927/01/20191adultDanes_2019-2021
Agriopis leucophaeariaSchool Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R201301/02/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaSchool Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R201301/02/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaSchool Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R201110/02/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaChancet Wood, Meadow Head, SheffieldSK38K201117/02/20112Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaSchool Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R201129/01/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaHollowaySK35I200826/01/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaBeresford Dale (Tower),HartingtonSK15J200707/04/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaThe Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R200701/02/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaThe Field,Shipley,IlkestonSK44M200529/03/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaThe Field,Shipley,IlkestonSK44M200529/03/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaCross Green Cottages,Flint Lane,South DarleySK26Q200526/02/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaEdgecote Drive,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V200416/03/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaShipley Wood, Shipley Park, IlkestonSK44L200207/03/20022Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaCrich Chase,AmbergateSK35L200002/01/20001Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaCalke Park (Poker's Leys), TicknallSK32L199813/02/19985Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaPokers Leys,Calke Park,TicknallSK32L199820/02/19984Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaCalke Park (Poker's Leys), TicknallSK32L199813/02/19985Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaCalke Park (Poker's Leys), TicknallSK32L199727/02/19971Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaCalke Park (Poker's Leys), TicknallSK32L199727/02/19971Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaCross Green Cottages,Flint Lane,South DarleySK26Q199503/02/19951Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaCross Green Cottages,Flint Lane,South DarleySK26Q199405/02/19941Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaCarvers Rocks, Hartshorne, SwadlincoteSK32G199431/01/19941Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaShipley Wood, Shipley Park, IlkestonSK44L199111/03/19911Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaCarsington Ave, Allestree, DerbySK33J199122/03/19911Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaCarsington Ave, Allestree, DerbySK33J199122/03/19911Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaShipley Wood, Shipley Park, IlkestonSK44L199111/03/19911Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaElvaston Park (Hall), DerbySK43B198815/02/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaJohnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C198820/02/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaJohnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C198820/02/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaJohnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C198823/01/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaJohnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C198823/01/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaElvaston Park (Hall), DerbySK43B198727/02/19872Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaElvaston Park (Hall), DerbySK43B198728/02/19871Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaShipley Wood, Shipley ParkSK44L198205/03/19823Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaSpring Wood NR, Calke (site not precise)SK32W198209/02/198222Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaCarvers Rocks NR, Hartshorne, Swadlincote (site not precise)SK32G198107/03/19812Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaClough Wood,Darley DaleSK26K198108/03/19816Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaAskew Grove, ReptonSK32D198011/02/19801Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaClough Wood,Darley DaleSK26K197705/02/19771Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaClough Wood,Darley DaleSK26K197712/02/19771Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaClough Wood,Darley DaleSK26K197601/02/19761Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaCromford (Canal) (site not precise)SK35C197502/02/19751Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaCromford (Canal) (site not precise)SK35C197502/02/19751Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaClough Wood,Darley DaleSK26K197422/02/19742Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaBroomridding Wood, Pilsley, Tibshelf (site not precise)SK46H197105/02/19711Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaBroomridding Wood, Pilsley, Tibshelf (site not precise)SK46H197118/02/19711Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaBroomridding Wood, Pilsley, Tibshelf (site not precise)SK46H197119/02/19711Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaBroomridding Wood, Pilsley, Tibshelf (site not precise)SK46H197121/02/19711Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaBroomridding Wood, Pilsley, Tibshelf (site not precise)SK46H197127/02/19711Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaBroomridding Wood, Pilsley, Tibshelf (site not precise)SK46H197023/02/19701Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaNewbold Ave, ChesterfieldSK37R196004/03/19601Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaMoorend, Beeley, MatlockSK26T196028/02/19601Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaMoorend, BeeleySK26T196028/02/19601Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaNewbold Ave, ChesterfieldSK37R195830/03/19581Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Agriopis leucophaeariaBritton Wood, nr Clay CrossSK36S195222/02/19521Adultvc57_danes_bc_data

Peppered Moth       Scarce Umber

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