Peppered Moth       Scarce Umber
Spring Usher - 14th January 2025 - Long Clough - Christian Heintzen
70.253 BF1932  – Spring Usher  – Agriopis leucophaearia  – ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
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  >>.  >>  Geometridae  >> Larentiinae
ID Difficulty:  green  – easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.
ID pointers: The forewing is very triangular, but with a rounded tip. Variable as detailed below in Christian’s excellent montage. Female is wingless. Smaller than other closely related species.
Distribution:  A resident that is locally distributed but fairly common in old woodlands in Derbyshire.
General Comment: Martin Roome attracted 12 individuals using a 4 light travel pendant LED Lights set-up, on 13th January 2026 at Chaddesden Wood between 17:30 – 19:00hrs.  Flight Period: January /  February /  March –  January – March – one generation. Moth Activity: Nocturnal  –  The females climb up tree trunks and the males fly weakly to them, also being attracted to light Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Christian Heintzen; Dave Evans  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 15 January 2026 by TD ***
Wingspan: 23-28mm
Forewing: 14-17mm
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:  Wildboar Clough, Longdendale, Derbyshire – Christian Heintzen ©; Long Clough January; February 2025 – Christian Heintzen©/ Belper (2025) Dave Evans©/ January 2026 – Chaddesden Wood – Martin Roome©

70.253 BF1932 - Spring Usher - Geometridae - Agriopis leucophaearia
Spring Usher – Agriopis leucophaearia – Christian Heintzen
Spring Usher - 14th January 2025 - Long Clough - Christian Heintzen
Spring Usher – 14th January 2025 – Long Clough – Christian Heintzen
Spring Usher - 3rd February 2025 -Long Clough - Christian Heintzen
Spring Usher – 3rd February 2025 -Long Clough – Christian Heintzen
Spring Usher - female - 6th April 2015 - Belper - Dave Evans
Spring Usher – female – 6th April 2015 – Belper – Dave Evans
Spring Usher - 20th Feb 2025 - Belper - Dave Evans
Spring Usher – 20th Feb 2025 – Belper – Dave Evans
Spring Usher - 13th January 2026 - Chaddesden Wood - Martin Roome
Spring Usher – 13th January 2026 – Chaddesden Wood – Martin Roome
70.253 BF1932 - Spring Usher - Geometridae - Agriopis leucophaearia
Spring Usher - 14th January 2025 - Long Clough - Christian Heintzen
Spring Usher - 3rd February 2025 -Long Clough - Christian Heintzen
Spring Usher - female - 6th April 2015 - Belper - Dave Evans
Spring Usher - 20th Feb 2025 - Belper - Dave Evans
Spring Usher - 13th January 2026 - Chaddesden Wood - Martin Roome


Image Gallery

Spring Usher - 13th January 2026 - Martin Roome Spring Usher - 3rd February 2025 -Long Clough - Christian Heintzen Spring Usher - 14th January 2025 - Long Clough - Christian Heintzen

Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1952 - 2026)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)

Distribution Map for Agriopis leucophaearia

Found 71 records
    ↳ 6 from 2026+
    ↳ 15 from 2020 - 2025
    ↳ 50 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 – Agriopis leucophaearia

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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: Agriopis leucophaearia
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

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

First/Last Recorded Dates: Agriopis leucophaearia
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: Agriopis leucophaearia
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Agriopis leucophaearia
AGR: 5.48%   |   Total % Change: 300%

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Agriopis leucophaearia
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Agriopis leucophaearia

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 - Agriopis leucophaearia – 71 records available

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

Site NameTetradDateCountStageRecorderSourceRecordKey
Nether PadleySK27N22/02/20261AdultSamuel P.C.vc57_irecords_extractiBRC50331112
Norton Lees, SheffieldSK38L22/02/20261adultMella, Petevc57_irecords_extractiBRC50331770
Chaddesden WoodSK33Z19/01/20268adultroome, martinvc57_irecords_extractiBRC49574261
Chaddesden WoodSK33Z13/01/202612adultroome, martinvc57_irecords_extractiBRC49574257
Sandiacre GardenSK43T12/01/20261adultMilnes, Emilyvc57_irecords_extractiBRC48739588
Sandiacre GardenSK43T12/01/20261adultMilnes, Emilyvc57_irecords_extractiBRC50362514
Glossop, Shawmoor PlantationSK09G21/02/20251adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC40322234
BelperSK34N20/02/20251adultEvans, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC40255788
Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G19/02/20251adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC40322227
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Long Clough WoodandSK09G03/02/20254adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC40159327
Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G14/01/20254adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC40053327
Longdendale, Wildboar CloughSK09U15/02/20241adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36371430
Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G02/02/20241adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36371418
BelperSK34U01/02/20241adultEvans, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC34716202
Glossop, Shire Hill, southSK09M01/02/202410adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36371408
Longdendale, Wildboar CloughSK09U28/01/20246adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36371402
Lower Cromford GardenSK25Y20/02/20231adultAshton, Clivevc57_irecords_extractiBRC34567964
Glossop, Shire Hill, southSK09M16/02/20231adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36335667
Glossop, Shire Hill, southSK09M02/02/20233adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36335649
Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G24/01/20231adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36335642
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F20/02/20211adultMiles, Clairevc57_irecords_extractiBRC29294714
The Mays, Malthouse Lane, FroggattSK27N17/02/20191adultBARNACLE, Mr B.&.Mrs.K.Danes_2019-20211696
Havercroft RoadSK38L13/02/20191AdultTait, Malcolmvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36367628
Bowden Bridge (car park), HayfieldSK08N27/01/20191adultBELL, Mr S.Danes_2019-20211698
Birch ValeSK08I11/01/20191adultHewitt, Janevc57_irecords_extractiBRC35072269
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R01/02/20131AdultA. Butlervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OKG1B
Chancet Wood, Meadow Head, SheffieldSK38K17/02/20112AdultD.A. Clarkevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OKYGU
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R10/02/20111AdultA. Butlervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OKYGK
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R29/01/20111AdultA. Butlervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJQZ3
HollowaySK35I26/01/20081AdultF. Harrisonvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJJSM
Beresford Dale (Tower),HartingtonSK15J07/04/20071AdultD.A. Clarkevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OI9D0
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R01/02/20071AdultRoddis, Simonvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJGUF
The Field,Shipley,IlkestonSK44M29/03/20051AdultT. Durovc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJ8CP
Cross Green Cottages,Flint Lane,South DarleySK26Q26/02/20051AdultR. Hawksworthvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJ8AZ
Edgecote Drive,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V16/03/20041AdultTopliss, Neilvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJI7C
Shipley Wood, Shipley Park, IlkestonSK44L07/03/20022AdultT. Durovc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHOMK
Crich Chase,AmbergateSK35L02/01/20001AdultF. Harrisonvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJ1PQ
Pokers Leys,Calke Park,TicknallSK32L20/02/19984AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJ0QR
Calke Park (Poker's Leys), TicknallSK32L13/02/19985AdultDave Budworth;I. Travers-Ayre;T. Barnardvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WQDQT
Calke Park (Poker's Leys), TicknallSK32L27/02/19971AdultDave Budworth;I. Travers-Ayrevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WPET7
Cross Green Cottages,Flint Lane,South DarleySK26Q03/02/19951AdultR. Hawksworthvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIYNR
Cross Green Cottages,Flint Lane,South DarleySK26Q05/02/19941AdultR. Hawksworthvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIXO7
Carvers Rocks, Hartshorne, SwadlincoteSK32G31/01/19941AdultDave Budworthvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIXO6
Carsington Ave, Allestree, DerbySK33J22/03/19911AdultK.J. Orpevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIV23
Shipley Wood, Shipley Park, IlkestonSK44L11/03/19911AdultT. Durovc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHL3X
Johnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C20/02/19881AdultR.T. Doncastervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WP8XI
Elvaston Park (Hall), DerbySK43B15/02/19881AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHJZ7
Johnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C23/01/19881AdultR.T. Doncastervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WP8XA
Elvaston Park (Hall), DerbySK43B28/02/19871AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHJNM
Elvaston Park (Hall), DerbySK43B27/02/19872AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHJNJ
Shipley Wood, Shipley ParkSK44L05/03/19823AdultT. Durovc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHYEX
Spring Wood NR, Calke (site not precise)SK32W09/02/198222AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHYEU
Clough Wood,Darley DaleSK26K08/03/19816AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OINFN
Carvers Rocks NR, Hartshorne, Swadlincote (site not precise)SK32G07/03/19812AdultD.A. Youngvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OINFK
Askew Grove, ReptonSK32D11/02/19801AdultD.A. Youngvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHGOW
Clough Wood,Darley DaleSK26K12/02/19771AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHFVV
Clough Wood,Darley DaleSK26K05/02/19771AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHFVN
Clough Wood,Darley DaleSK26K01/02/19761AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIJHZ
Cromford (Canal) (site not precise)SK35C02/02/19751AdultB. Elliott;F. Harrisonvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WOZ8Y
Clough Wood,Darley DaleSK26K22/02/19742AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIIDQ
Broomridding Wood, Pilsley, Tibshelf (site not precise)SK46H27/02/19711AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHW9O
Broomridding Wood, Pilsley, Tibshelf (site not precise)SK46H21/02/19711AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHW9J
Broomridding Wood, Pilsley, Tibshelf (site not precise)SK46H19/02/19711AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHW9I
Broomridding Wood, Pilsley, Tibshelf (site not precise)SK46H18/02/19711AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHW9G
Broomridding Wood, Pilsley, Tibshelf (site not precise)SK46H05/02/19711AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHW9B
Broomridding Wood, Pilsley, Tibshelf (site not precise)SK46H23/02/19701AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHW6L
Newbold Ave, ChesterfieldSK37R04/03/19601AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHE5K
Moorend, Beeley, MatlockSK26T28/02/19601AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHE5A
Moorend, BeeleySK26T28/02/19601AdultB.S. Fletchervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WOSP4
Newbold Ave, ChesterfieldSK37R30/03/19581AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIDK8
Britton Wood, nr Clay CrossSK36S22/02/19521AdultJ.H. Johnsonvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WOSL3

Peppered Moth       Scarce Umber

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