Autumnal Moth       Small White Wave
Small Autumnal Moth - Geometridae - Epirrita filigrammaria - Christian Heintzen
70.110 BF1798  – Small Autumnal Moth  – Epirrita filigrammaria  – (Herrich-Schäffer, 1846)
Adult Macro:  CAT 3 – Difficult to identify – Quality set of photographs required – Difficult to identify /Very rare/Scarce (includes very scarce adventives/immigrants)/County-level first records      
PDF Icon – click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
Blue –  Generally Common / Widespread   
Taxonomy:   Macro  >>.  >>  Geometridae  >> Larentiinae
ID Difficulty:  amber  – care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required.
Confusion Species:  Autumnal Moth, Pale November Moth
ID pointers: This species flies in late August-September, a month earlier than the other Epiritas. Be aware of larger specimens with markings that can be very similar to Autumnal Moth. See detailed document by Christian Heintzen here – Identifying Epiritas by octavals and wing patterning  An Epirrita moth in late August on the upland moors is almost certain to be this species. 
Distribution:  A resident that is widely distributed and locally common in upland areas of Derbyshire. 
General Comment: None Flight Period: August /  September –  On the wing between August – September Moth Activity: Nocturnal   – but can be disturbed during the day Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Christian Heintzen, Simon Roddis  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 12 January 2026 by TD ***
Forewing: 14-18mm Food Plant: Heather and Bilberry
Specific Recorded History Dates for Common [Blue code 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:  Glossop, Long Clough & Sawmoor Plantation, Derbyshire – Christian Heintzen © / Darley Dale Simon Roddis©

Small Autumnal Moth - female - Christian Heintzen
Small Autumnal Moth – 19th September 2024 – A female – Glossop – Christian Heintzen
Small Autumnal Moth - Geometridae - Epirrita filigrammaria - Christian Heintzen
Small Autumnal Moth – Epirrita filigrammaria – 14/9/2022 – Long Clough, Glossop – Christian Heintzen
Small Autumnal Moth - Geometridae - Epirrita filigrammaria - Christian Heintzen
Small Autumnal Moth – Epirrita filigrammaria – 6/9/2022 – Shawmoor, Glossop – Christian Heintzen
Small Autumnal Moth 23/9/2006 - Darley Dale - Simon Roddis
Small Autumnal Moth 23/9/2006 – Darley Dale – Simon Roddis
Small Autumnal Moth - female - Christian Heintzen
Small Autumnal Moth - Geometridae - Epirrita filigrammaria - Christian Heintzen
Small Autumnal Moth - Geometridae - Epirrita filigrammaria - Christian Heintzen
Small Autumnal Moth 23/9/2006 - Darley Dale - Simon Roddis


Image Gallery

Small Autumnal Moth - female -19th September 2024 - Glossop - Christian Heintzen© Pale November Moth - Darley Dale - Simon Roddis©

Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1959 - 2025)  |  Immatures: (between 1974 - 1997)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)

Distribution Map for Epirrita filigrammaria

Found 51 records
    ↳ from 2026+
    ↳ 10 from 2020 - 2025
    ↳ 41 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 – Epirrita filigrammaria

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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: Epirrita filigrammaria
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

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

First/Last Recorded Dates: Epirrita filigrammaria
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: Epirrita filigrammaria
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Epirrita filigrammaria
AGR: 1.21%   |   Total % Change: 33.3%

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Epirrita filigrammaria
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Epirrita filigrammaria

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 - Epirrita filigrammaria – 51 records available

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

Site NameTetradDateCountStageRecorderSourceRecordKey
Glossop, Gnat Hole Rough FieldsSK09L29/09/20254AdultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC48792773
Glossop, Gnat Hole Rough FieldsSK09L23/09/20244adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC38689403
Glossop, Gnat Hole Rough FieldsSK09L19/09/20241adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC38689391
Glossop, Hague Street, Hay meadowSK09G18/09/20241adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC38689387
Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G06/10/20231adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36337608
Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G04/10/20231adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36337597
Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G21/09/20221adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36335390
Glossop, Bray CloughSK09K09/09/20221adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36335347
Glossop, Shawmoor PlantationSK09F06/09/20224adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36335320
Glossop, Hague Street, Hay meadowSK09G05/09/20221adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36335310
Ladycroft AveSK07S06/09/20131adultOrridge, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC40991666
Blacka Moor, Totley, SheffieldSK28V20/08/201110AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OL3SW
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N05/09/20031AdultBarnacle, Brianvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIBWW
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N05/09/20031AdultB. Barnacle;K. Barnaclevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WPAYJ
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R01/09/20031AdultRoddis, Simonvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJ4IQ
Beeley Moor, BeeleySK26Y25/08/20013AdultB.L. Stathamvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OI40M
Beeley Moor, BeeleySK26Y25/08/20013AdultB.L. Stathamvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WPF00
Blacka Moor,TotleySK28V25/08/19991AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHO74
Beeley Triangle, Beeley Moor (site not precise)SK26Y25/05/199716LarvaeVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIBR1
Slagmill Plantation, Beeley Moor (site not precise)SK36E22/05/199720LarvaeVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIBQX
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies)SK26Z26/08/19949AdultB.L. Stathamvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIYKR
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S15/09/19931AdultOrridge, Stevevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WOWZH
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S01/09/19931AdultOrridge, Stevevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WP5Q5
Woodlands, Combs, Chapel en le FrithSK07P11/09/19911AdultS.G. Pricevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIVQC
Slagmill Plantation, Beeley Moor (site not precise)SK36E31/08/19911AdultA. Jenkinsvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIVNP
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies)SK26Z25/08/19911AdultA. Jenkinsvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OI18S
Woodlands, Combs, Chapel en le FrithSK07P20/10/19901AdultS.G. Pricevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIV20
Woodlands, Combs, Chapel en le FrithSK07P14/09/19902AdultS.G. Pricevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIV0D
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies)SK26Z26/08/19901AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIUY7
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies)SK26Z18/05/19901LarvaeVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIU94
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precise)SK26Z18/05/19901LarvaeA. Braddock;T. Durovc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WQ52L
Wraggs Quarry, RowsleySK26Y26/05/19881LarvaeA. Jenkinsvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIE5I
Wragg's Quarry, Beeley Moor, BeeleySK26Y26/05/19881LarvaeA Jenkinsvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WP8ZJ
Cressbrook Dale, Little LongstoneSK17R23/08/19861AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OISES
Wragg's Quarry,Rowsley MoorSK26Y05/09/19811AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHYD8
Wragg's Quarry, Beeley Moor, BeeleySK26Y05/09/19811AdultB. Elliottvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WPJ4L
Slagmill Plantation,Beeley MoorSK36E29/08/19792AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHGMX
Wragg's Quarry,Rowsley MoorSK26Y01/06/19751LarvaeVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHFEB
Wragg's Quarry, Beeley Moor, BeeleySK26Y01/06/19751LarvaeB. Elliottvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WQA3T
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies)SK26Z26/05/19741LarvaeVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHF6J
Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies)SK26Z01/09/19732AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIIC9
Wragg's Quarry,Rowsley MoorSK26Y31/08/19681AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIHLM
Wragg's Quarry, Beeley Moor, BeeleySK26Y31/08/19681AdultB. Elliott;T.W. Harmanvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WPGDM
Slagmill Plantation,Beeley MoorSK36E25/08/19671AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIHHS
Hollingworth Clough, Hayfield (site not precise)SK08P14/09/19649AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIH7X
Gladwin's Mark, Beeley MoorSK36D01/09/19641AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIH7N
Gladwin's Mark, Beeley MoorSK36D10/09/19601AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIGV5
Moorend, Beeley, MatlockSK26T19/09/19592AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIGGD
Moorend, BeeleySK26T19/09/19592AdultB.S. Fletchervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WPIR1
Moorend, Beeley, MatlockSK26T05/09/19591AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHVMX
Moorend, BeeleySK26T05/09/19591AdultB.S. Fletchervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WP9GX

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