Tawny Pinion -18th March 2024 - Belper - Dave Evans
73.200 BF2235  – Tawny Pinion  – Lithophane semibrunnea  – (Haworth, 1809)
Adult Macro:  CAT 2 – Can be confused with other species – Good photographs maybe required – Can be confused with other species      
PDF Icon – click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines

Green –  Rare / Uncommon / Scarce   
Taxonomy:   Macro  >>.  >>  Noctuidae  >> Xyleninae
ID Difficulty:  amber  – care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required.
Confusion Species:  Pale Pinion
ID pointers: Looks remarkably like a piece of plant stem, twig or tree bark. Has same flight time and habits as Pale Pinion, which needs to be carefully eliminated, especially dark forms.. The key feature is a tawny and blackish coloured tornal spot on the trailing edge of the forewing. A dark honey coloured crest on top of the head and narrow appearance to the wings with a straighter leading edge than Pale Pinion, with a less arched costa.
Distribution:  (First record: 31 October 1986 )  –  (Last record: 14 September 2025 at Chaddesden )  –  Danes shows 45 records between 1986 -2013. iRecord shows 1 record in 2009 and 6 records 2020 – 2025. It was also recorded in 2006 from South Wood, Calke Estate. The species is only record in very small numbers each year and remains a rare moth within the recording area. 
General Comment: None
Flight Period: March /  April /  May /  October /  November –  On the wing October – November and March – May. Moth Activity: Nocturnal   – and is attracted to light Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Brian Hallam, Dave Evans, David Knass:  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 1 March 2026 by TD ***
Wingspan: 40-44mm
Forewing: 16-20mm
Food Plant: Ash (Fraxinus excelsior).
Last Recorded Year: 2025
First Recorded Year: 1986
Last Recorded By – Martin Roome
Last Recorded General Area – Chaddesden

Selected Images:  

Findern – Brian Hallam© / Darwin Forest (2025) Dave Evans©/ Belper (2023)(2024) Dave Evans© Mellor© (2024) David Knass©



Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1986 - 2025)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)

Distribution Map for Lithophane semibrunnea

Found 52 records
    ↳ from 2026+
    ↳ 8 from 2020 - 2025
    ↳ 44 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 – Lithophane semibrunnea

⚠️ 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: Lithophane semibrunnea
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Monthly Counts By Year: Lithophane semibrunnea
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only )

First/Last Recorded Dates: Lithophane semibrunnea
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: Lithophane semibrunnea
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Lithophane semibrunnea
AGR: 0%   |   Total % Change: 0%

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Lithophane semibrunnea
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Lithophane semibrunnea

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 - Lithophane semibrunnea – 52 records available

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

Site NameTetradDateCountStageRecorderSourceRecordKey
Chaddesden, DerbySK33T14/09/20251adultroome, martinvc57_irecords_extractiBRC45481059
Inkersall gardenSK47G18/04/20251adultDon Cambridgevc57_irecords_extractiBRC41030058
Darwin ForestSK26X31/03/20251adultEvans, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC40588572
Ilkeston, DerbyshireSK44K05/04/20242adultHobby, Brianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC35358506
MellorSJ98Z03/04/20241adultKnass, Davidvc57_irecords_extractiBRC35352119
BelperSK34N18/03/20241adultEvans, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC35153345
BelperSK34U18/05/20231adultEvans, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC35300258
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A20/05/20201adultBrian and Jean Hallamvc57_irecords_extractiBRC35162350
Lancaster Ave,SandiacreSK43S29/09/20111AdultI.M. Vilesvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OL4UX
Hardhurst Rd, Alvaston, DerbySK33W06/04/20101AdultI. Gardlervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OK37L
Drayton Ave,Mackworth,DerbySK33D13/11/20091AdultW. Hurstvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OKFNQ
Drayton Ave,Mackworth,DerbySK33D13/11/20091AdultW. Hurstvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WQ2EC
nr Derwent Arms,WhatstandwellSK35H29/10/20091AdultD.A. Clarkevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJNLX
Oaks Barn Cottage, Monyash Rd, Over Haddon, BakewellSK26D30/09/20091AdultD.A. Clarkevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OK32O
Wilmot St,Long EatonSK43R26/09/20091AdultB.G. Sewell;D.A. Clarkevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJNIH
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y20/03/20091AdultSoar, Willvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34678573
Drayton Ave,Mackworth,DerbySK33D18/03/20091AdultW. Hurstvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OKMEA
Drayton Ave,Mackworth,DerbySK33D18/03/20091AdultW. Hurstvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WQ6RP
Over Haddon (Church), BakewellSK26D22/10/20081AdultD.A. Clarkevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OKF6H
Bakewell (Shutts Lane)SK26D06/10/20081AdultD.A. Clarkevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OKMCB
Lowes Hill,RipleySK35V06/10/20071AdultR.A. Wainvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJJQR
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R22/05/20071AdultRoddis, Simonvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OKGCH
Lowes Hill,RipleySK35V13/10/20061AdultR.A. Wainvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJGPD
South Wood, Calke, TicknallSK32Q10/10/20061AdultFinch, Graham Leonardvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJGO5
Back Lane,GlapwellSK46T14/09/20031AdultJ. Culpinvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHPJ1
Ault Hucknall,GlapwellSK46S20/10/20001AdultM.E. Bradleyvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJ22Z
Ault Hucknall,GlapwellSK46S13/10/20001AdultM.E. Bradleyvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJ22P
Ault Hucknall,GlapwellSK46S29/09/20001AdultM.E. Bradleyvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OI3TP
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R02/05/20001AdultA. Butlervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHO8G
Ilkeston (Court House)SK44Q12/03/20001AdultT. Durovc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJ1Q3
Ilkeston (Court House)SK44Q12/03/20001AdultT. Durovc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WQ5SH
Margaret Ave, IlkestonSK44Q11/10/19971AdultT. Durovc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OI36X
Margaret Ave, IlkestonSK44Q11/10/19971AdultT. Durovc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WQDQN
Far Cross,Cavendish Park,MatlockSK36A17/11/19961AdultB.L. Stathamvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIETB
Far Cross,Cavendish Park,MatlockSK36A22/10/19961AdultB.L. Stathamvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHNHH
Stocksmoor Farm, Ashover Rd, Old TuptonSK36S27/09/19961AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJ0DL
Baslow (site not precise)SK27L12/11/19951AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OI2JV
Far Cross,Cavendish Park,MatlockSK36A23/10/19951AdultB.L. Stathamvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OI2JR
Deerlands Rd, Ashgate, ChesterfieldSK37K07/09/19951AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIZFI
Stoneleah, Alfreton Rd, Little EatonSK34R25/04/19951AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OI272
Egginton (Fish Pond Lane), Burton on TrentSK22U27/10/19941AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHMMW
Derby Carriage Works, London Rd, DerbySK33S22/02/19941AdultDave Budworthvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIXO9
Egginton (Fish Pond Lane), Burton on TrentSK22U01/10/19933AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OI1Y9
Ironville Forge, AlfretonSK45K15/04/19931AdultDave Budworth;I.M. Vilesvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIWT7
Fernhill Rd, MellorSJ98U30/03/19931AdultI.F. Smithvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHLUA
The Drey, A Sitwell St, SpondonSK33X18/03/19931AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIWRY
Wilmot St, Sawley, Long EatonSK43R02/10/19921AdultA. Braddockvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIWQI
Far Cross,Cavendish Park,MatlockSK36A28/09/19921AdultB.L. Stathamvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHLTG
Lang Rd, Alvaston, DerbySK33R28/09/19921AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHLTM
Parkway, New MillsSK08D08/10/19901AdultJ. Potts;S.H. Hindvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OI0YX
Wilmot St, Sawley, Long EatonSK43R25/10/19881AdultA. Braddockvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHKD6
Elvaston Park, Derby (site not precise)SK43B31/10/19861AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIDZZ

Scroll to Top