– click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
– Rare / Uncommon / Scarce
– difficult to identify – detailed examination required, often a Gen Det and/or specimen and quality photographs are required.Confusion Species: November Moth
ID pointers: See Detailed document by Christian Heintzen here – Identifying Epiritas by octavals and wing patterning
The four species of Epirrita moth are notoriously difficult to ID in the field. Best to follow the information contained in the ID Guides. In some cases the moths genitalia needs to be inspected. However in fresh clearly marked (diluta) individuals, the postmedian line touches or bends towards the small black discal spot if present. In the Pale November Moth (christyi) the black discal spot is isolated.
Distribution: (First record: 23 September 2006 ) – The first positive Derbyshire record was identified on genitalia examination on 23rd September 2006 by Simon Roddis. As per insert and image No:1 below. The second image was taken on 31st October 2006 by Tony Davison. This specimen clearly shows an isolated black discal spot with the post-median band/line well away from it. According to the literature, this would indicate that this specimen is also a Pale November Moth.
*** Last updated on 12 October 2025 by TD ***
Forewing: 15-20mm
First Recorded Year: 2006
Last Recorded By – Not Recorded
Last Recorded General Area – Not Recorded
Selected Images: Image No:1 – First confirmed Derbyshire record – Darley Dale, Derbyshire 23rd September 2006 / Image No:2 & No:3 – Melbourne, Derbyshire 31st October 2006 – Images by No:1 Simon Roddis © / No:2 Tony Davison ©
Image Gallery
Distribution Map for Epirrita christyi
Found 6 records
↳ 0 from After 2025
↳ 0 from 2020 - 2024
↳ 6 from Before 2020
↳ 0 from After 2025
↳ 0 from 2020 - 2024
↳ 6 from Before 2020
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 christyi
⚠️ 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.
Monthly Records By Year:
Epirrita christyi
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Monthly Counts By Year: Epirrita christyi
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only. )
First/Last Recorded Dates: Epirrita christyi
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 christyi
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Epirrita christyi
AGR: -10.11% | Total % Change: -75%
CUSUM Analysis: Epirrita christyi
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 22 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 2006, reaching above average levels. The lowest population point occurred near 2019, 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: Epirrita christyi
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Epirrita christyi
Epirrita christyi
( 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 - Epirrita christyi – 6 records available
Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns
| Site Name | Tetrad | Date | Count | Stage | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hathersage, Derbyshire, UK | SK28F | 23/10/2019 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Hathersage, Derbyshire, UK | SK28F | 17/10/2019 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Oaks Barn Cottage, Monyash Rd, Over Haddon, Bakewell | SK26D | 27/09/2011 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Melbourne, Derbyshire | SK32X | 12/10/2007 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Miller's Dale | SK17L | 23/09/2006 | 4 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Miller's Dale | SK17L | 23/09/2006 | 4 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |