Short-cloaked Moth       Scarce Silver-lines
74.004 BF2078  –  Nolidae –  Nolinnae – Nola confusalis – Least Black Arches – (Herrich-Schäffer, 1847) Adult Macro:  CAT 1 – Distinctive species unlikely to be confused with others –       PDF Icon – click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
Green –  Rare / Uncommon / Scarce   
Taxonomy:   Macro   >>  Nolidae  >> Nolinnae
ID Difficulty:  green  – easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.
ID pointers: This moth has narrow and rather pointed forewings with the ground colour being whitish. Cross-marked with intricate black and brown wavy lines and arch shapes, which is where the moth gets its name.
Distribution:  (First record: 1866 at Repton Shrubs )  –  (Last record: 9 May 2024 at Ilkeston )  –  In 1986 it was described as extinct in the county. It was rediscovered in 1988 near Ilkeston, and seems to have re-colonised in the south of the county, being very localised at some of the ancient woodlands in the Trent valley area. In the subsequent years to 2018, the increase in different locations has been significant, yet it remains scarce and only recorded in small numbers, mainly from garden light traps.
Flight Period: May /  June /  –  On the wing May – June. Moth Activity: Nocturnal   – and is attracted to light Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Tony Davison, Dave Evans   © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Wingspan: 16-18mm
Forewing: 9-11mm Food Plant: Lime (Tilia spp.), EvergreenOak (Quercus ilex).
Last Recorded Year: 2024
First Recorded Year: 1866
Last Recorded By – Brian Hobby
Last Recorded General Area – Ilkeston
Selected Images:  Foremark, South Derbyshire – Tony Davison© / Belper (2024) Dave Evans©

Least Black Arches - Foremark, South Derbyshire - Tony Davison
Least Black Arches – Foremark, South Derbyshire – Tony Davison
Least Black Arches - 10th May 2024 -Belper - Dave Evans
Least Black Arches – 10th May 2024 -Belper – Dave Evans
Least Black Arches - 5th May 2024 - Melbourne - Tony Davison
Least Black Arches – 5th May 2024 – Melbourne – Tony Davison
Least Black Arches - Foremark, South Derbyshire - Tony Davison
Least Black Arches - 10th May 2024 -Belper - Dave Evans
Least Black Arches - 5th May 2024 - Melbourne - Tony Davison


Image Gallery

Least Black Arches - Foremark - Tony Davison©

Distribution Map for Nola confusalis

Found 104 records
    ↳ 24 from After 2025
    ↳ 33 from 2020 - 2024
    ↳ 47 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 – Nola confusalis

⚠️ 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: Nola confusalis
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

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


First/Last Recorded Dates: Nola confusalis
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: Nola confusalis
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Nola confusalis
AGR: -0.41%   |   Total % Change: -8.3%


CUSUM Analysis: Nola confusalis
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 9 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 2008, reaching above average levels. The lowest population point occurred near 2018, 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: Nola confusalis
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Nola confusalis
( 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 - Nola confusalis – 104 records available

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

Site NameTetradDateCountStageSource
Belper, DerbyshireSK34N11/07/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Staveley DerbyshireSK47H25/06/20252adultvc57_irecords_extract
Allestree, DerbySK33P01/05/20252adultvc57_irecords_extract
Allestree, DerbySK33P02/05/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Allestree, DerbySK33P02/05/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Cromford MoorSK25X01/05/20254adultvc57_irecords_extract
Allestree, DerbySK33P11/05/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
King's NewtonSK32Y01/05/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
upper cromford gardenSK25Y12/05/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Stonebroom.SK45E02/05/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Spring Wood, CalkeSK32W25/05/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ilkeston, DerbyshireSK44K17/05/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Chaddesden, DerbySK33T11/05/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Belper, DerbyshireSK34N01/05/20252adultvc57_irecords_extract
Belper, DerbyshireSK34N02/05/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Belper, DerbyshireSK34N12/05/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Sandiacre GardenSK43T20/05/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Allestree, DerbySK33P15/04/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
upper cromford gardenSK25Y28/04/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hall Wood, CarsingtonSK25R30/04/20252adultvc57_irecords_extract
Belper, DerbyshireSK34N26/04/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Belper, DerbyshireSK34N28/04/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Belper, DerbyshireSK34N29/04/20253adultvc57_irecords_extract
Belper, DerbyshireSK34N30/04/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Melbourne, DerbyshireSK32X04/05/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
BelperSK34N09/05/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Allestree, DerbySK33P07/05/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ilkeston, DerbyshireSK44K09/05/20242adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A05/05/20242adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A06/05/20242adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A12/05/20242adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R06/05/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R09/05/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Allestree, DerbySK33P06/05/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Allestree, DerbySK33P07/05/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
King's NewtonSK32Y12/05/20243adultvc57_irecords_extract
King's NewtonSK32Y15/05/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A30/04/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R12/04/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
GardenSK43T07/05/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R20/05/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
SandiacreSK43T07/05/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y01/05/20224Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Birch ValeSK08I06/05/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Long Eaton - Marlborough RoadSK43X08/05/20221Adultvc57_irecords_extract
SandiacreSK43T20/05/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
BelperSK34U20/05/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
upper cromford gardenSK25Y20/05/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R18/04/20221Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R02/06/20212adultvc57_irecords_extract
Wilmot St, Sawley, Long EatonSK43R20/04/20211adultDanes_2019-2021
Woodland AveSK43R09/05/20203adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R15/05/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A09/05/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A20/05/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A25/05/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Briar Close, Newhall, SwadlincoteSK22V07/05/20201adultDanes_2019-2021
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y13/05/20181Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Pleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X12/05/20181Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y01/06/20171Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y30/05/20171Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y05/06/20161Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Briar Close,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V15/05/20141Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Briar Close,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V15/05/20141Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Back Lane, GlapwellSK46T17/05/20141Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Marlborough Rd,Long EatonSK43X05/07/20103Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Elvaston Castle CPSK43B15/05/20101adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hardhurst Rd, Alvaston, DerbySK33W21/05/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Elvaston Park, DerbySK43B15/05/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Elvaston Park, DerbySK43B15/05/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Rose Av,ClowneSK57D21/05/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Hardhurst Rd, Alvaston, DerbySK33W09/05/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Midway Rd,Midway,SwadlincoteSK32A19/05/20102Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wood Lane,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V21/05/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wood Lane, Newhall, SwadlincoteSK22V21/05/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wilmot St,Long EatonSK43R02/05/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Calke Park, Lime avenueSK32L06/06/20082adultvc57_irecords_extract
Calke Park,TicknallSK32L06/06/20082Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Calke Park, Lime avenueSK32L10/05/20083adultvc57_irecords_extract
Calke Park,TicknallSK32L10/05/20083Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Midway Rd,Midway,SwadlincoteSK32A10/05/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Calke Park (gardens), TicknallSK32R30/05/20084Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Drakelow NR (car park),Burton on TrentSK22F10/05/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Carvers Rocks (old toilet block area), Hartshorne, SwadlincoteSK32G10/05/20086Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Drakelow NR (car park),Burton on TrentSK22F10/05/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Calke Park Ridge from Fisherman's Car ParkSK32R24/04/20071adultvc57_irecords_extract
Calke Park,TicknallSK32R24/04/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
South Wood, Calke, TicknallSK32Q01/06/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Calke Park (Church gardens area), TicknallSK32R27/05/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y02/05/20041Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Kings Newton FieldsSK32Y03/05/20041Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main St,Kings Newton,MelbourneSK32Y02/05/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
FOREMARK RESERVOIRSK32H23/04/20042adultvc57_irecords_extract
Foremark Resr (Orange Hill wood), TicknallSK32H23/04/20043Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Midway Rd,Midway,SwadlincoteSK32A23/04/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Calke Park (Betty's Pond area), TicknallSK32R04/05/19981Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Calke Park (site not precise), TicknallSK32R04/05/19981Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Calke Park (site not precise), TicknallSK32R04/05/19981Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Calke Park (Betty's Pond area), TicknallSK32R10/05/19981Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Calke Park (Betty's Pond area), TicknallSK32R04/05/19981Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Calke Park (Betty's Pond area), TicknallSK32R10/05/19981Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Deerlands Rd, Ashgate, ChesterfieldSK37K25/07/19911Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Pond House, Mapperley Res, IlkestonSK44G11/06/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Pond House, Mapperley Res, IlkestonSK44G11/06/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data

Short-cloaked Moth       Scarce Silver-lines

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