Argyresthia dilectella       Argyresthia brockeella
20.007 BF409b - Argyresthiidae - Argyresthia cupressella
20.007 BF409b  – Cypress-tip Moth  – Argyresthia cupressella  – (Walsingham, 1890)
Adult Micro:  CAT 2 – Can be confused with other species –       Leaf-miner:  CAT L – The leaf or a Photo required – reared and possibly dissected      
PDF Icon – click for General Verification Guidelines  |   PDF Icon – click for Specific Verification Guidelines
Green –  Rare / Uncommon / Scarce        purple – Leaf-miner     day-flying – Day-flying
Taxonomy:   Micro   >>  Argyresthiidae
Other Name/s: Cypress Tip Moth
ID Difficulty:  amber  – care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required.
ID pointers: Tiny but distinctive with a shining golden and white mottled upper-wing and golden thorax and a white head. Banded antennae. 
Distribution:  (Last record: 26 June 2024 at Belper )  –  This little moth was not recorded in Britain until 1997. Originating from North America has most probably been introduced with its food plant, ornamental conifers – Cypress and Juniper. Derbyshire status uncommon few but widespread records
General Comment: None Flight Period: June /  July –  On the wing in June & July. Mine Period:  August /  September /  October
Mine Period Additional: None.
Mine ID Difficulty: Not Recorded
Mine Type/s: Not Recorded
Mine Feeding Method/s: Not Recorded
Mine Comment: None. Moth Activity: Cathemeral   – and is attracted to light Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Dave Evans  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Wingspan: 8-9mm
 Food Plant: Cypress & Juniper.
Last Recorded Year: 2024
Last Recorded By – Dave Evans
Last Recorded General Area – Belper
Selected Images:  Belper, Derbyshire – Dave Evans ©

20.007 BF409b - Argyresthiidae - Argyresthia cupressella
Argyresthia cupressella – Cypress-tip moth – Dave Evans
20.007 BF409b - Argyresthiidae - Argyresthia cupressella

 
 

Image Gallery

No gallery images found for this moth.


Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 2017 - 2025)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)
 

Distribution Map for Argyresthia cupressella

Found 44 records
    ↳ from 2026+
    ↳ 42 from 2020 - 2025
    ↳ 2 from Before 2020
Flying
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Mining
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 – Argyresthia cupressella

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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: Argyresthia cupressella
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

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

First/Last Recorded Dates: Argyresthia cupressella
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: Argyresthia cupressella
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Argyresthia cupressella
AGR: 0.58%   |   Total % Change: 4.8%

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Argyresthia cupressella
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Argyresthia cupressella

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.

Mine Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Argyresthia cupressella
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Mine 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 mine periods [month/s]. The coloured lines represent the actual months seen mining, from site observation records received between 2020-2026.

Records Behind the Map and Charts - Argyresthia cupressella – 44 records available

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

Site NameTetradDateCountStageRecorderSourceRecordKey
Buxton (p)SK07R12/07/20251adultWhite, Ianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC43394117
Midway, Derbys.SK32A19/06/20251adultWilliams, Michaelvc57_irecords_extractiBRC42543075
Midway, Derbys.SK32A16/06/20251adultWilliams, Michaelvc57_irecords_extractiBRC42447627
Woodland AveSK43R15/06/20253adultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC48390822
BelperSK34U14/06/20251adultEvans, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC42315873
Midway, Derbys.SK32A14/06/20254adultWilliams, Michaelvc57_irecords_extractiBRC42348553
Chaddesden GardenSK33T11/06/20251adultloverock, neilvc57_irecords_extractiBRC42715822
Mickleover gardenSK33C11/06/20251adultMaughan, Christinevc57_irecords_extractiBRC43701261
Midway, Derbys.SK32A31/05/20253adultWilliams, Michaelvc57_irecords_extractiBRC42017764
Mickleover gardenSK33C30/05/20251adultMaughan, Christinevc57_irecords_extractiBRC42105755
Woodland AveSK43R30/05/20251adultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC48390710
Mickleover gardenSK33C29/05/20252adultMaughan, Christinevc57_irecords_extractiBRC42104880
Chaddesden, DerbySK33T27/05/20251adultroome, martinvc57_irecords_extractiBRC42702447
Mickleover gardenSK33C20/05/20251adultMaughan, Christinevc57_irecords_extractiBRC42103821
Darley BridgeSK26Q04/07/20241AdultMoores, Stephenvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36865699
BelperSK34U26/06/20241adultEvans, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC36978542
Norton Lees, Sheffield (VC)SK38L24/06/20241adultMella, Petevc57_irecords_extractiBRC38279163
Norton Lees, Sheffield, UKSK38L24/06/20241AdultMella, Petevc57_irecords_extractiBRC46920295
BelperSK34U23/06/20241adultEvans, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC36622347
Midway, Derbys.SK32A11/06/20241adultWilliams, Michaelvc57_irecords_extractiBRC39954955
Staveley DerbyshireSK47H02/06/20241adultMorris, Sidvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36247370
Woodland AveSK43R24/05/20241adultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC40044479
Midway, Derbys.SK32A17/05/20241adultWilliams, Michaelvc57_irecords_extractiBRC39954989
Woodland AveSK43R17/05/20242adultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC40044428
King's NewtonSK32Y15/05/20241adultSoar, Willvc57_irecords_extractiBRC40386826
Mickleover gardenSK33C27/06/20231adultMaughan, Christinevc57_irecords_extractiBRC35621369
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F24/06/20231adultMiles, Clairevc57_irecords_extractiBRC31129812
BelperSK34U18/06/20231adultEvans, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC35314908
Findern GardenSK33A10/06/20231AdultHallam, Brianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34637424
Allestree, DerbySK33P11/08/20221adultPlant, Stephenvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34958479
Allestree, DerbySK33P01/08/20221adultPlant, Stephenvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34958468
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A06/06/20221adultBrian and Jean Hallamvc57_irecords_extractiBRC35166449
Woodland AveSK43R08/07/20211adultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC33498637
Woodland AveSK43R26/06/20211adultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC33498451
Midway, Derbys.SK32A22/06/20211adultWilliams, Michaelvc57_irecords_extractiBRC38494265
Woodland AveSK43R15/06/20211adultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC33498392
Woodland AveSK43R04/06/20211adultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC33498256
The Mays, Malthouse Lane, FroggattSK27N13/07/20201adultBARNACLE, Mr B.&.Mrs.K.Danes_2019-2021549
Norton LeesSK38L15/06/20201adultMELLA, Mr P.J.Danes_2019-2021673
The Mays, Malthouse Lane, FroggattSK27N14/06/20201adultBARNACLE, Mr B.&.Mrs.K.Danes_2019-2021677
Woodland AveSK43R25/05/20201adultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC33500717
Douglas Rd, Long EatonSK43S25/05/20201adultBUXTON, Mr P.Danes_2019-2021742
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y31/05/20172AdultSoar, Willvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34059917
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y30/05/20171AdultSoar, Willvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34059916

 
Argyresthia dilectella       Argyresthia brockeella

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