73.170 BF2343a – Lesser Common Rustic – Mesapamea didyma – (Esper, 1788)
Adult Macro: CAT 4 – Dissection required – 
– click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
– click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
– Generally Common / Widespread
– care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required. Confusion Species: Common Rustic
ID pointers: It is almost identical in appearance to Common Rustic, so examination of the genitalia is necessary for reliable separation of the species.
Distribution: A resident whose current status is uncertain in Derbyshire. It is thought to be widely distributed across the county, but not necessarily uncommon. Totally under recorded due to Gen.Det requirements for confirmation of the species. Recorded in very small numbers each year. The photo shown was of a specimen that was identified by Gen Det.
General Comment: None *** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Forewing: 11-16mm
Blue-coded] moths is not displayed/updated in this tab. However, all verified records for this moth are listed in the RECORDS tab below. Selected Images: July 3rd 2022 – Hathersage – The late Claire Miles © – Gen.Det confirmed
Image Gallery
No gallery images found for this moth.
Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1984 - 2024)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)
Distribution Map for Mesapamea didyma
Found 14 records
↳ from 2026+
↳ 2 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 12 from Before 2020
↳ from 2026+
↳ 2 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 12 from Before 2020
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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 – Mesapamea didyma
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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.
Monthly Records By Year:
Mesapamea didyma
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Monthly Counts By Year:
Mesapamea didyma
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only )
First/Last Recorded Dates: Mesapamea didyma
Adult-only & Anything [Larvae, Pupae, Adult, Mines]
Shading shows moth presence between dates
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Recordings By Year: Mesapamea didyma
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Mesapamea didyma
AGR: 3.72% | Total % Change: 100%
Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Mesapamea didyma
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Mesapamea didyma
Mesapamea didyma
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 - Mesapamea didyma – 14 records available
Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns
| Site Name | Tetrad | Date | Count | Stage | Recorder | Source | RecordKey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birch Vale | SK08I | 26/07/2024 | 2 | adult | Hewitt, Jane | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC39755371 |
| Hathersage, Derbyshire, UK | SK28F | 03/07/2022 | 1 | adult | Miles, Claire | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC28644707 |
| Station Quarry, Chee Dale | SK17G | 25/07/2016 | 1 | Adult | Steve Orridge;S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPZSO |
| Macclesfield Rd, Whaley Bridge | SK08A | 24/08/2013 | 2 | Adult | A. Seymour | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPCHD |
| Macclesfield Rd, Whaley Bridge | SK08A | 09/08/2013 | 3 | Adult | A. Seymour | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPJVA |
| Gillfield Wood, Totley, Sheffield | SK27Z | 21/07/2012 | 1 | Adult | H.E. Beaumont;R.F. Botterill | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WQ6ZT |
| Oaks Barn Cottage, Monyash Rd, Over Haddon, Bakewell | SK26D | 08/09/2011 | 1 | Adult | D.A. Clarke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJTKU |
| Oaks Barn Cottage, Monyash Rd, Over Haddon, Bakewell | SK26D | 05/08/2010 | 1 | Adult | D.A. Clarke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OKWIC |
| Glossop (Shire Hill Quarry) | SK09M | 22/07/2008 | 1 | Adult | Colin Plant | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OKKV1 |
| Alport Dale, nr Ladybower Resr | SK18P | 06/09/2005 | 1 | Adult | H.E. Beaumont;R.F. Botterill | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHS7V |
| Alport Dale, nr Ladybower Resr | SK18P | 22/08/2005 | 1 | Adult | H.E. Beaumont;R.F. Botterill | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OI6R8 |
| Ivy Cottage, Youlgreave | SK26C | 01/08/1998 | 1 | Adult | Julian Clarke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJ12I |
| Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies) | SK26Z | 03/08/1984 | 2 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHZ6M |
| Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precise) | SK26Z | 03/08/1984 | 2 | Adult | M.J. Sterling | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WOPPU |