Broom Moth       The Shears
73.272 BF2162  –  Noctuidae –  Hadeninae – Papestra biren – Glaucous Shears – (Goeze, 1781) 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   >>  Noctuidae  >> Hadeninae
ID Difficulty:  green  – easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.
ID pointers:  A rather pointed and narrow-winged moth, with a marbled ash-grey forewing with large creamy-white and rounded kidney marks. Despite the name, it does not show the characteristic  scissor-like marks of Shears
Distribution:   A resident that is confined to the gritstone moorland of North Derbyshire, where it is common and widely distributed.
Flight Period: May /  June /  –  On the wing May – June Moth Activity: Nocturnal   – and is attracted to light Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Christian Heintzen, Steve Orridge  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Wingspan: 32-40mm
Forewing: 15-18mm Food Plant: Heather (Calluna), Bog-myrtle (Myrica gale)
Recorded dates for Common [Blue code Blue-coded] moths are not stored on the website at this current time.
Selected Images:  Images by Steve Orridge© and Christian Heintzen© 

Glaucous Shears - Christian Heintzen
Glaucous Shears – Christian Heintzen
73.272 BF2162 - Glaucous Shears - Noctuidae - Papestra biren
Glaucous Shears – Steve Orridge
Glaucous Shears - Christian Heintzen
73.272 BF2162 - Glaucous Shears - Noctuidae - Papestra biren


Image Gallery

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Distribution Map for Papestra biren

Found 130 records
    ↳ 6 from After 2025
    ↳ 17 from 2020 - 2024
    ↳ 107 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 – Papestra biren

⚠️ 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: Papestra biren
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

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


First/Last Recorded Dates: Papestra biren
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: Papestra biren
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Papestra biren
AGR: 8.71%   |   Total % Change: 641.7%


CUSUM Analysis: Papestra biren
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 7 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 9 (September) 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 2018, 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: Papestra biren
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Papestra biren
( 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 - Papestra biren – 130 records available

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

Site NameTetradDateCountStageSource
Glossop, Hague Street, Hay MeadowSK09G21/05/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Glossop, Hague Street, Hay MeadowSK09G12/05/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Cote Heath Allotments, BuxtonSK07R10/05/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Lowcroft, Buxton SK, UKSK07S04/05/20251Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Glossop, Moorfield, Wood's CabinSK09L30/04/202583adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S28/04/20252adultvc57_irecords_extract
Glossop, Moorfield, Wood's CabinSK09L08/05/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Glossop, Moorfield, Wood's CabinSK09L22/05/20236adultvc57_irecords_extract
Glossop, Moorfield, Wood's CabinSK09L18/05/202312adultvc57_irecords_extract
Glossop, Shawmoor PlantationSK09F13/05/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07S17/06/20211Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F09/06/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07S03/06/20211Adultvc57_irecords_extract
The Mays, Malthouse Lane, FroggattSK27N28/05/20201adultDanes_2019-2021
White Knowle Road, BuxtonSK07R26/05/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
White Knowle Road, BuxtonSK07R26/05/20201Adultvc57_irecords_extract
The Mays, Malthouse Lane, FroggattSK27N25/05/20201adultDanes_2019-2021
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S21/05/20203adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S20/05/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
The Mays, Malthouse Lane, FroggattSK27N19/05/20203adultDanes_2019-2021
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S18/05/20202adultvc57_irecords_extract
The Mays, Malthouse Lane, FroggattSK27N18/05/20201adultDanes_2019-2021
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S16/05/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F01/06/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
The Mays, Malthouse Lane, FroggattSK27N01/06/20191adultDanes_2019-2021
Buxton (Cote Heath Allotments)SK07R23/05/20191adultDanes_2019-2021
Birch ValeSK08I21/05/20192adultvc57_irecords_extract
Birch ValeSK08I19/05/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Barbrook Resvr, BaslowSK27T15/05/201912Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Barbrook Resvr, BaslowSK27T01/05/201919Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Barbrook Resvr, BaslowSK27T23/04/201927Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F22/04/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Birch ValeSK08I30/05/20181adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ashop CloughSK19A23/06/20161adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft AveSK07S20/05/20141adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft AveSK07S18/05/20142adultvc57_irecords_extract
Birch ValeSK08I17/05/20141adultvc57_irecords_extract
Birch Barn, New Mills Rd, Birch ValeSK08I17/05/20141Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft AveSK07S07/07/20131adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft AveSK07S25/06/20131adultvc57_irecords_extract
Welbeck Drive, WingerworthSK36T21/06/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Welbeck Drive, WingerworthSK36T20/06/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Macclesfield Rd, Whaley BridgeSK08A18/06/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N09/06/20132Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N09/06/20132Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave,BuxtonSK07S01/06/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S01/06/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave,BuxtonSK07S30/05/20124Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S30/05/20124Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave,BuxtonSK07S27/05/20122Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S27/05/20122Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave,BuxtonSK07S26/05/20123Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S26/05/20123Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Derbyshire, UKSK07M24/05/20121Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft Ave,BuxtonSK07S22/05/20124Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S22/05/20124Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Beeley Triangle,Beeley MoorSK26Y01/06/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Beeley Triangle, Beeley Moor, BeeleySK26Y01/06/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Oaks Barn Cottage, Monyash Rd, Over Haddon, BakewellSK26D22/05/20112Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave,BuxtonSK07S10/05/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S10/05/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave,BuxtonSK07S08/05/20113Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S08/05/20113Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave,BuxtonSK07S06/05/20113Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S06/05/20113Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Oaks Barn Cottage, Monyash Rd, Over Haddon, BakewellSK26D24/04/20112Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ault Hucknall,GlapwellSK46S23/04/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave,BuxtonSK07S30/06/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S30/06/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave,BuxtonSK07S05/06/20102Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S05/06/20102Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Millstone Edge,HathersageSK28K04/06/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N31/05/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N31/05/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Rose Av,ClowneSK57D24/05/20102Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Buxton SK, UKSK07S20/05/20101Adultvc57_irecords_extract
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N10/06/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N10/06/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R29/05/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Littlewood,Barber Booth,EdaleSK18C12/06/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Littlewood,Barber Booth,EdaleSK18C04/06/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Cross Green Cottages,Flint Lane,South DarleySK26Q23/06/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R09/06/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Beeley Moor TriangleSK26Y03/06/200611adultvc57_irecords_extract
Beeley Moor, BeeleySK26Z03/06/200611Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Flash Lane,Beeley MoorSK26X27/05/20052Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Buxton SK, UKSK07S25/05/20041Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Blacka Moor, Dore, SheffieldSK28V12/06/20012Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Blacka Moor, Dore, SheffieldSK28V12/06/20012Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies)SK26Z23/05/19921Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Cross Green Cottages,Flint Lane,South DarleySK26Q20/05/19921Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies)SK26Z26/05/199121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Beeley Moor (site not precise)SK26Z26/05/199121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Hell Bank Plantation, Beeley MoorSK26Z19/05/19911Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Hell Bank Plantation, Beeley MoorSK26Z19/05/19911Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies)SK26Z12/05/19911Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Beeley Moor (site not precise)SK26Z12/05/19911Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Beeley Moor (triangle), BeeleySK26Y27/05/19901Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Beeley Moor (triangle), BeeleySK26Y27/05/19901Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Parkway, New MillsSK08D10/05/19901Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Hell Bank Plantation, Beeley Moor (site not precise)SK26Z28/05/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
ChisworthSJ99V01/01/19871adultvc57_irecords_extract
Beeley Lodge, ChatsworthSK26U22/05/19821Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Beeley Lodge, Chatsworth ParkSK26U22/05/19821Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Upper Booth, EdaleSK08X13/06/19801Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Upper Booth, EdaleSK08X20/05/19801Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Welbeck Rd, BolsoverSK47Q12/06/19691Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Berry St, Hepthorne Lane, North WingfieldSK46C05/06/19681Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Old Manse, Ault Hucknall, GlapwellSK46S30/05/19681Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies)SK26Z08/06/19661Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precise)SK26Z08/06/19661Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies)SK26Z27/05/19651Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precise)SK26Z27/05/19651Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Gladwin's Mark, Beeley MoorSK36D26/05/19641Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Slagmill Plantation,Beeley MoorSK36E04/06/19631Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wragg's Quarry,Rowsley MoorSK26Y04/06/19601Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wragg's Quarry, Beeley Moor, BeeleySK26Y04/06/19601Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Moorend, Beeley, MatlockSK26T26/05/19607Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Moorend, BeeleySK26T26/05/19607Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Moorend, Beeley, MatlockSK26T25/05/19601Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Moorend, BeeleySK26T25/05/19601Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wragg's Quarry,Rowsley MoorSK26Y14/05/19601Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wragg's Quarry, Beeley Moor, BeeleySK26Y14/05/19601Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies)SK26Z17/05/19591Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precise)SK26Z17/05/19591Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Longside Rd, Beeley Moor (site not precise)SK36E24/05/19531Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Longside Rd, Beeley Moor (site not precise)SK36E24/05/19531Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Longside Rd, Beeley Moor (site not precise)SK36E25/05/19525Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precise)SK26Z25/05/19521Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Longside Rd, Beeley Moor (site not precise)SK36E25/05/19525Adultvc57_danes_bc_data

Broom Moth       The Shears

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