Acleris laterana/comariana       Acleris rhombana
49.069 BF1041  –  Tortricidae –  Tortricinae – Acleris sparsana – Lead-coloured Tortrix – ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Adult Micro:  CAT 1 – Distinctive Species –       PDF Icon – click for General Verification Guidelines  |   PDF Icon – click for Specific Verification Guidelines
Blue –  Generally Common / Widespread   
Taxonomy:   Micro   >>  Tortricidae  >> Tortricinae
Other Name/s: Ashy Button
ID Difficulty:  green  – easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.
ID pointers: Variable – Forewing broad – typical form has grey ground colour marked with fine speckles of dark and light colours. Sometimes with a triangular shaped costa blotch.
Distribution:  Common wherever mature Beech (fagus) occurs. Multiple records from across the county.
Flight Period: August /  September /  October /  –  On the wing during August – October. Moth Activity: Nocturnal   – and is attracted to light Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Tony Davison, Clive Ashton  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 7 May 2025 by RP ***
Wingspan: 18-22mm
 Food Plant: ~Beech (Fagus) and Sycamore (Acer).
Recorded dates for Common [Blue code Blue-coded] moths are not stored on the website at this current time.
IMAGES BELOW:  Kings Newton, Derbyshire – Tony Davison© / Cromford – Clive Ashton©

49.069 BF1041 - Tortricidae - Tortricinae - Acleris sparsana
Acleris sparsana – Melbourne – Tony Davison
Acleris sparsana - 3:11:24 - Cromford - Clive Ashton
Acleris sparsana – 3:11:24 – Cromford – Clive Ashton
49.069 BF1041 - Tortricidae - Tortricinae - Acleris sparsana
Acleris sparsana - 3:11:24 - Cromford - Clive Ashton

Acleris sparsana - 3:11:24 - Cromford - Clive Ashton Acleris sparsana -3rd November 2024 - Cromford - Clive Ashton
49.069 BF1041-acleris-sparsana 49.069 BF1041 - Acleris sparsana Melbourne, Derbyshire - Tony Davison©

Distribution Map for Acleris sparsana

Found 161 records
    ↳ 3 from After 2025
    ↳ 93 from 2020 - 2024
    ↳ 65 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.

******* Choose ONLY one at a time, of either Monad, Tetrad or Hectad Distribution - each has it's own set of data. Also, the distribution maps cover ALL recorded data. *******

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.

Land-cover * shows the variety of land-cover within the VC57 area, based on the CORINE (Coordination of Information on the Environment) forty-four thematic classes of land-cover. This will show, to a greater or lesser degree, the number and variety of moths found in different land-cover types. The UK continues to operate within the Copernicus programme, with the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) providing Corine Land Cover (CLC) datasets for the UK and its territories.


NBN Atlas UK Distribution for – Acleris sparsana

⚠️ 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: Acleris sparsana
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

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


First/Last Recorded Dates: Acleris sparsana
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: Acleris sparsana
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Acleris sparsana
AGR: -1.19%   |   Total % Change: -25%


CUSUM Analysis: Acleris sparsana
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 4 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 2009, reaching above average levels. The lowest population point occurred near 2001, 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: Acleris sparsana
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Acleris sparsana
( 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 - Acleris sparsana – 161 records available

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

Site NameTetradDateCountStageSource
Shaw Farm, New Mills VCSJ98Y12/08/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
HathersageSK28F18/08/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
HathersageSK28F08/08/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
BelperSK34U01/11/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
upper cromford gardenSK25Y03/11/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Old Park Plantation, BeeleySK26U03/11/20241Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S01/11/20244adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S03/11/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
upper cromford gardenSK25Y06/11/20242adultvc57_irecords_extract
upper cromford gardenSK25Y08/11/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Peak District National Park, Bakewell, England, GBSK26E11/11/20241Adultvc57_irecords_extract
upper cromford gardenSK25Y15/11/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
High Leas Farm, RiberSK35D02/11/20247adultvc57_irecords_extract
High Leas Farm, RiberSK35D02/11/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Derbyshire, UKSK26U03/11/20241Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Norton Lees, SheffieldSK38L02/11/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Old Park Plantation, BeeleySK26U03/11/20241Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Darwin ForestSK26X01/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Darwin ForestSK26X02/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Darwin ForestSK26X03/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton (w)SK07R04/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
upper cromford gardenSK25Y05/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
upper cromford gardenSK25Y08/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton (w)SK07R11/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton (w)SK07R17/10/20243adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton (w)SK07R23/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Allestree, DerbySK33P24/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
BelperSK34N24/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
upper cromford gardenSK25Y28/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton (w)SK07R31/10/20244adultvc57_irecords_extract
upper cromford gardenSK25Y31/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Belper, DerbyshireSK34N28/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Mickleover gardenSK33C18/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
HathersageSK28F18/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
HathersageSK28F25/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Allestree, DerbySK33P24/10/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Norton Lees, Sheffield (VC)SK38L06/09/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Norton Lees, Sheffield (VC)SK38L08/09/20242adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton (w)SK07R13/09/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Darwin ForestSK26X30/09/20242adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A17/09/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Norton Lees, SheffieldSK38L20/09/20242adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton (w)SK07R06/08/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Norton Lees, Sheffield (VC)SK38L30/08/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Derbyshire, UKSK26Q12/07/20241Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07R06/11/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
BuxtonSK07R05/11/20232adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07R08/10/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07R08/10/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07R09/10/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07R14/10/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R08/10/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07R22/10/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07S23/10/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
White Knowle Road, BuxtonSK07R09/10/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Shirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z07/10/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
High Leas Farm, RiberSK35D27/10/20233adultvc57_irecords_extract
Belper GardenSK34P07/10/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft AveSK07S24/10/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
BelperSK34U09/10/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Glossop, Hague Street, Hague StreetSK09G08/10/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07R09/09/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07R09/09/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Inkersall gardenSK47G07/09/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Inkersall gardenSK47G03/09/20232adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07R26/09/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R15/09/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07S18/09/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07S09/09/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07R23/08/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F25/11/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F11/11/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F10/10/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
HathersageSK28F29/10/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F16/09/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07S20/09/20221Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Waingroves Wood Bat and Moth NightSK44E20/08/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A18/07/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R25/06/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Kirk Hallam, IlkestonSK44K05/11/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07S07/10/20211Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Shirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z08/10/20212adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S08/10/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S09/10/20212adultvc57_irecords_extract
Havercroft RoadSK38L23/10/20211Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Drakelow, Derbys.SK22F09/10/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
HathersageSK28F18/10/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07S08/09/20211Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R10/09/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R12/09/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R26/09/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Shirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z24/09/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Havercroft RoadSK38L04/09/20211Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07S04/10/20201Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Derbyshire, England, United KingdomSK07S16/09/20201Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A13/09/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F23/10/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S23/10/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A23/10/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Forbes HoleSK43W13/10/20171adultvc57_irecords_extract
Shirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z28/10/20162Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Norton Lees gardenSK38L26/10/20161not recordedvc57_irecords_extract
Norton Lees gardenSK38L28/10/20161not recordedvc57_irecords_extract
Backgarden MarehaySK34Z20/09/20161adultvc57_irecords_extract
Shirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z13/09/20161Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Shirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z13/09/20161adultvc57_irecords_extract
Norton Lees gardenSK38L03/09/20161not recordedvc57_irecords_extract
Sheffield, England, United KingdomSK38L04/09/20161Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Not givenSK38K10/09/20151Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft AveSK07S04/09/20131adultvc57_irecords_extract
Back Lane,GlapwellSK46T22/09/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Old Manse, Ault Hucknall, GlapwellSK46S05/09/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft AveSK07S23/08/20131adultvc57_irecords_extract
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R14/11/20124Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Welbeck Drive,WingerworthSK36T06/10/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Glebe Rise,Littleover,DerbySK33H10/10/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Glebe Rise,Littleover,DerbySK33H20/10/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Welbeck Drive,WingerworthSK36T27/09/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Welbeck Drive,WingerworthSK36T30/09/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R31/08/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R10/10/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R13/10/20112Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Clough Wood,Darley DaleSK26K23/10/20112Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Backgarden MarehaySK34Z15/09/20111adultvc57_irecords_extract
Backgarden MarehaySK34Z29/09/20111adultvc57_irecords_extract
Bamford St,RipleySK34Z29/09/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Bamford St,RipleySK34Z15/09/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R26/08/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R12/11/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R26/10/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lathkill DaleSK26D04/09/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Carvers Rocks, Hartshorne, SwadlincoteSK32G19/09/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Waingroves Wood,CodnorSK44E18/09/200910Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Far Cross,Cavendish Park,MatlockSK36A15/08/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Alfreton Park, AlfretonSK45C21/05/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Far Cross,Cavendish Park,MatlockSK36A01/10/20072Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Edgecote Drive,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V14/11/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Foremark Reservoir, DerbyshireSK32H29/10/20062adultvc57_irecords_extract
Foremark Resr, TicknallSK32H29/10/20062Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Foremark Resr (pumping station), TicknallSK32H29/10/20065Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Edgecote Drive,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V29/09/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Edgecote Drive,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V17/09/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Edgecote Drive,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V18/09/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Edgecote Drive,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V21/09/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Pleasley Park (centre clearing)SK56H04/10/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Starkholmes, Matlock BathSK25Z06/10/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Church St,Holloway,MatlockSK35I01/07/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Church St,Holloway,MatlockSK35I08/07/20052Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Church St,Holloway,MatlockSK35I22/06/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R05/11/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Edgecote Drive,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V31/10/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R23/10/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R30/10/20042Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Melbourne, DerbyshireSK32X23/09/20041adultvc57_irecords_extract
Edgecote Drive,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V04/09/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Spinney Hill,MelbourneSK32X23/09/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
FOREMARK RESERVOIRSK32H18/11/20033adultvc57_irecords_extract
Foremark Resr, TicknallSK32H18/11/20033Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R13/11/20012Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R14/11/20011Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R18/11/20011Adultvc57_danes_bc_data

Acleris laterana/comariana       Acleris rhombana

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