70.203 BF1661  –  Geometridae –  Archiearinae – Archiearis parthenias – Orange Underwing – (Linnaeus, 1761) Adult Macro:  CAT 2 – Can be confused with other species – Can be confused with other species       PDF Icon – click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines

Blue –  Generally Common / Widespread        day-flying – Day-flying
Taxonomy:   Macro   >>  Geometridae  >> Archiearinae
ID Difficulty:  amber  – care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required.
Confusion Species:  Light Orange Underwing
ID pointers: The Orange Underwing is a day flying moth and very active in warm spring sunshine, appearing orange brown in flight. Can be confused with the similar Light Orange Underwing. 
Examination of the antennae is required to ID the species. Male Orange Underwing antennae are finely serrated (bipectinated), whereas the Male Light Orange Underwing antennae is feathered. There is also a strong white diagonal cross-band on the upper forewing of this species. On the under hindwing the orange band extends to outer-edge. On Light Orange Underwing the dark outer band is unbroken.
Distribution:  A beautiful spring moth that is widely distributed in Derbyshire and locally common wherever there are areas of birch. 
Flight Period: March /  April /  –  On the wing – March – April. Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Tony Davison  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Wingspan: 30-40mm
Forewing: 16-19mm
Food Plant: Downy Birch, Silver Birch
Recorded dates for Common [Blue code Blue-coded] moths are not stored on the website at this current time.

Selected Images:  Foremark Reservoir, Derbyshire – Tony Davison ©



Distribution Map for Archiearis parthenias

Found 183 records
    ↳ 14 from After 2025
    ↳ 11 from 2020 - 2024
    ↳ 158 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 – Archiearis parthenias

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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: Archiearis parthenias
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

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


First/Last Recorded Dates: Archiearis parthenias
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: Archiearis parthenias
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Archiearis parthenias
AGR: -6.14%   |   Total % Change: -79.5%


CUSUM Analysis: Archiearis parthenias
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 8 (August) 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 2007, reaching above average levels. The lowest population point occurred near 2024, 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: Archiearis parthenias
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Archiearis parthenias
( 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 - Archiearis parthenias – 183 records available

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

Site NameTetradDateCountStageSource
Salter Wood Denby - SSK34Y11/06/20251Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Salter Wood Denby - SSK34Z11/05/20253Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Salter Wood Denby - SSK34Z18/05/20251Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Salter Wood Denby - SSK34Z23/05/20256Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Poolsbrook C.P.SK47M03/04/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage moorSK28K10/04/20251Adultvc57_irecords_extract
DWT Wyver LaneSK34P05/03/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
DrakelowSK21J09/03/20252adultvc57_irecords_extract
Spring WoodSK32R19/03/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Drakelow N.R.SK22F20/03/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Drakelow N.R.SK22F08/03/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Markham Vale DerbyshireSK47K20/03/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Moss ValleySK48A27/03/20251Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ramsley reservoir DerbyshireSK27X29/03/20252adultvc57_irecords_extract
Peter Filder NR, BolsoverSK47Q18/03/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Wyver Lane Nature ReserveSK34P19/03/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Drakelow, Derbys.SK22F05/03/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Drakelow, Derbys.SK22F17/03/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Drakelow, Derbys.SK22F18/03/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Drakelow, Derbys.SK22F30/03/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hilton Gravel Pits NR - SSK23K03/06/20233Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Bolehill Quarry, near Grindleford, DerbyshireSK27P21/03/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
White Edge Moor NTSK27P22/03/20221Adultvc57_irecords_extract
ForemarkSK32G25/03/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Walton Dam, Somersall Park, ChesterfieldSK37Q26/03/20201adultDanes_2019-2021
Bretton CloughSK27E06/04/20191Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Repton Shrubs, Repton (site not precise)SK32B06/04/20191Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Holmewood, DerbyshireSK46I29/03/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Shining Cliff WoodSK35G27/02/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Repton (site not precise)SK32B24/03/20181Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Smeekley Wood, near Owler Bar, DerbyshireSK37D02/04/20161adultvc57_irecords_extract
Upper BoothSK18C07/04/20151Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodlands ValleySK18T06/04/20151Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Paddocks PlantationSK27F05/04/20151Adultvc57_irecords_extract
DerbyshireSK26T05/04/20151Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Repton Shrubs, Repton (site not precise)SK32B15/04/20153Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Sherriff WoodSK27J25/03/20151Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Drakelow NR,Burton on TrentSK22F22/03/20151Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Longshaw National TrustSK27P10/03/20141Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Longshaw National TrustSK27P10/03/20141Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Longshaw National TrustSK28K10/03/20141Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hay Wood National TrustSK27N09/03/20141Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Stanton MoorSK26L13/04/20131Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Stanton Moor NTSK26L13/04/20131Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Stanton Moor (Nine Ladies), Stanton in PeakSK26L13/04/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Stanton Moor, Stanton in PeakSK26L13/04/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Hilton NR, Hilton, Burton on TrentSK23K03/04/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Stanton Moor (Nine Ladies), Stanton in PeakSK26L13/04/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Stanton Moor, Stanton in PeakSK26L13/04/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Longshaw National TrustSK27P11/03/20121Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Drakelow NR,Burton on TrentSK22F11/03/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Bole Hill Quarry, Nether PadleySK27P11/03/20122Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Drakelow NR,Burton on TrentSK22F17/03/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Bole Hill Quarry, Nether PadleySK27P11/03/20122Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Hathersage Moor Yorks.SK28K07/04/20111Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Curbar Edge & WoodSK27M02/04/20111Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Froggatt EdgeSK27N06/04/20111Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Jack Flat WoodsSK27R02/04/20111Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Yorkshire Bridge Common (the roughs), BamfordSK28C02/04/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Froggatt Edge,FroggattSK27N06/04/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Drakelow NR,Burton on TrentSK22F03/04/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Curbur Edge,CurburSK27M02/04/20112Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Hathersage Moor,HathersageSK28K07/04/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Froggatt Edge,FroggattSK27N08/04/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Jack Flat Woods,BaslowSK27R12/04/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Yorkshire Bridge Common (the roughs), BamfordSK28C02/04/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Bretton CloughSK27E21/03/20111Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Longshaw National TrustSK27P13/03/20111Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Bolehill QuarrySK27P13/03/20111Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Birchen EdgeSK27W25/03/20111Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Clod Hall MoorSK27W31/03/20111Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Leash FenSK27W31/03/20111Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Holbrook Heath and PondsSK48K22/03/20111Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Drakelow NR,Burton on TrentSK22F25/03/20112Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Clod Hall Moor (Birchen Edge),BaslowSK27W25/03/20113Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Drakelow NR,Burton on TrentSK22F21/03/20113Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Froggatt Edge,FroggattSK27N21/03/20116Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Goyt Valley,Fernilee Resr,nr BuxtonSK07D24/03/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Froggatt Edge,FroggattSK27N31/03/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Leash Fen,BaslowSK27W31/03/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Longshaw,Nether PadleySK27P13/03/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Bolehill Quarry,Nether PadleySK27P13/03/20113Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Drakelow NR (main hide), Burton on TrentSK22F19/03/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Bretton Clough,Bretton,Great HucklowSK27E21/03/20112Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladybower Resr (viaduct shore)SK18Y22/03/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Holbrook Heath and Ponds,Holbrook,KillamarshSK48K22/03/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Stanton Moor,BirchoverSK26L23/03/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Clod Hall Moor,BaslowSK27W31/03/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladybower Resr (viaduct shore)SK18Y22/03/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Big MoorSK27S22/04/20101Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Robin Hood ValleySK27R21/04/20101Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Robin Hood Valley, BaslowSK27R21/04/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
nr Snelston Hall,Snelston,AshbourneSK14R08/04/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Big Moor,FroggattSK27S22/04/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Drakelow NR (car park),Burton on TrentSK22F21/03/20103Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Drakelow NR (car park),Burton on TrentSK22F21/03/20103Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Brierley Hill,UnstoneSK37S05/04/20074Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Brierley Hill,UnstoneSK37S05/04/20074Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Nine Ladies, Stanton Moor, BirchoverSK26L06/04/20075Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Brierley Hill,UnstoneSK37S06/04/20073Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Brierley Hill,UnstoneSK37S06/04/20073Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Darley Moor, Darley DaleSK36C25/03/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Carvers Rocks NR,Hartshorne,SwadlincoteSK32G12/04/20031Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Carvers Rocks NR,Hartshorne,SwadlincoteSK32G12/04/20031Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Carvers Rocks NR,Hartshorne,SwadlincoteSK32G15/03/20031Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Nine Ladies,Stanton MoorSK26L29/03/200312Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Carvers Rocks NR,Hartshorne,SwadlincoteSK32G15/03/20031Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Nether Padley (site not precise)SK27N10/04/20021Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Nether Padley (site not precise)SK27N10/04/20021Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Bar Brook Mill Pond, BaslowSK27R01/03/20008Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Stoke FordSK27E08/04/19951Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Stoke Ford, Bretton, Great HucklowSK27E08/04/19951Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Stoke Ford, Bretton, Great HucklowSK27E08/04/19951Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Abney CloughSK27E24/04/19841Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Abney Clough, Abney, Great HucklowSK27E24/04/19841Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Repton Shrubs, ReptonSK32B08/04/19812Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Carvers Rocks NR, Hartshorne, Swadlincote (site not precise)SK32G12/04/19806Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Carvers Rocks NR,Hartshorne,SwadlincoteSK32G12/04/19791Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Repton Shrubs,Repton,SwadlincoteSK32B13/04/19794Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Carvers Rocks NR,Hartshorne,SwadlincoteSK32G13/04/19792Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Carvers Rocks NR,Hartshorne,SwadlincoteSK32G14/04/19796Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Crich Chase, Ambergate (site not precise)SK35L15/04/19783Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Crich Chase, Ambergate (site not precise)SK35L15/04/19783Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Clough Wood,Darley Dale (site not precise)SK26K25/03/197719Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Clough Wood, Darley Dale (site not precise)SK26K25/03/197719Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Hell Bank Plantation, Beeley MoorSK26Y11/04/19711Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Hell Bank Plantation, Beeley MoorSK26Y27/03/19711Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Hell Bank Plantation, Beeley MoorSK26Y18/04/19701Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Hell Bank Plantation, Beeley MoorSK26Y19/04/19701Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Drum Hill, Little EatonSK34R14/03/19612Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Drum Hill, Little EatonSK34R14/03/19612Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Robin Wood, TicknallSK32S30/05/19601Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shirley, BrailsfordSK24A25/03/19591Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shirley, BrailsfordSK24A25/03/19591Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Chatsworth Park (SE area) (site not precise)SK26U13/04/19586Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Chatsworth ParkSK26U13/04/19581Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Chatsworth Park (SE area) (site not precise)SK26U13/04/19586Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Chatsworth ParkSK26U13/04/19581Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Chatsworth Park (SE area) (site not precise)SK26U14/04/19571Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Chatsworth Park (SE area) (site not precise)SK26U14/04/19571Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Chatsworth Park (SE area) (site not precise)SK26U25/03/19571Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Chatsworth Park (SE area) (site not precise)SK26U25/03/19571Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Chatsworth Park (SE area) (site not precise)SK26U08/04/19561Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Froggatt (site not precise)SK27N10/04/19561Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Chatsworth Park (SE area) (site not precise)SK26U08/04/19561Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Froggatt (site not precise)SK27N10/04/19561Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Morleymoor, Morley, nr Derby (site not precise)SK34W26/03/19551Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Morleymoor, Morley, nr Derby (site not precise)SK34W26/03/19551Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Repton Shrubs, Repton (site not precise)SK32B17/03/19461Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Carver's Rocks, Hartshorne (site not precise)SK32G17/03/19461Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Repton Shrubs, Repton (site not precise)SK32B17/03/19461Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Carver's Rocks, Hartshorne (site not precise)SK32G17/03/19461Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Repton Shrubs, Repton (site not precise)SK32B17/03/19451Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Carver's Rocks, Hartshorne (site not precise)SK32G17/03/19451Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Repton Shrubs, Repton (site not precise)SK32B17/03/19451Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Carver's Rocks, Hartshorne (site not precise)SK32G17/03/19451Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Morleymoor, Morley, nr Derby (site not precise)SK34W04/04/19431Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Morleymoor, Morley, nr Derby (site not precise)SK34W04/04/19431Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Repton Shrubs, Repton (site not precise)SK32B03/04/19411Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Repton Shrubs, Repton (site not precise)SK32B03/04/19411Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Morleymoor, Morley, nr Derby (site not precise)SK34W01/03/19411Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Morleymoor, Morley, nr Derby (site not precise)SK34W01/03/19411Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Bretby Park,Swadlincote (site not precise)SK22W06/04/19401Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Bretby Park,Swadlincote (site not precise)SK22W06/04/19401Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Repton Shrubs, Repton (site not precise)SK32B01/03/19331Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Repton Shrubs, Repton (site not precise)SK32B01/03/19331Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Repton Shrubs, Repton (site not precise)SK32B06/04/19311Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Repton Shrubs, Repton (site not precise)SK32B06/04/19311Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Breadsall, Derby (site not precise)SK33U22/03/19311Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Breadsall, Derby (site not precise)SK33U22/03/19311Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Whitwell, Worksop (site not precise)SK57J01/04/19251Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Whitwell, Worksop (site not precise)SK57J01/04/19251Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Repton (site not precise)SK32B18/03/19201Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Repton Shrubs, Repton (site not precise)SK32B21/03/19201Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Repton Shrubs, Repton (site not precise)SK32B06/04/19191Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Repton (site not precise)SK32B24/03/19181Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Repton Shrubs, Repton (site not precise)SK32B15/04/19153Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Robin Hood's Stride, Elton, WinsterSK26G01/01/18851Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Robin Hood's Stride, Elton, WinsterSK26G01/01/18851Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Repton Shrubs, Repton (site not precise)SK32B01/01/18821Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Melbourne (site not precise)SK32X01/01/18821Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Repton Shrubs, Repton (site not precise)SK32B01/01/18821Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Melbourne (site not precise)SK32X01/01/18821Adultvc57_danes_bc_data

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