Setaceous Hebrew Character       Double Square-spot
73.360 BF2127  –  Noctuidae –  Noctuinae – Xestia ditrapezium – Triple-spotted Clay – ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Adult Macro:  CAT 2 – Can be confused with other species – Can be confused with other species       PDF Icon – click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
Green –  Rare / Uncommon / Scarce   
Taxonomy:   Macro   >>  Noctuidae  >> Noctuinae
ID Difficulty:  amber  – care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required.
Confusion Species:  Double Square-spot, Setaceous Hebrew Character
ID pointers: Can be confused with Setaceous Hebrew Character, but mainly with Double Square-spot, which looks very similar. Lacks the conspicuous pale wedge on the forewing of Setaceous Hebrew Character. In comparison to Double Square-spot it rests with its wings wrapped together more tightly, giving it a slender appearance., unlike Double Square-spot which shows less overlap and a broader appearance. The ground colour is purplish to reddish-brown, whereas Double Square-spot is typically pale brown. The colour of the hind wings can be of great help. On Triple-spotted Clay it is creamy pale grey or light brown. On Double Square-spot the hind wings are a smoky, dingy grey-brown colour.
Distribution:  (Last record: 20 July 2024 at Cromford )  –  A resident species that is locally distributed and generally uncommon in Derbyshire. Recorded in small numbers in the Trent Valley but the Derwent Valley holds greatest numbers. It is classed as a nationally local species, with a scattered distribution across the UK.
Flight Period: June /  July /  August /  –  On the wing June – August. Moth Activity: Nocturnal   – is attracted to light and sugar Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Tony Davison, Clive Ashton  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Wingspan: 35-42mm
Forewing: 17-19mm Food Plant: Sallow (Salix), Birch (Betula) and Bramble (Rubus).
Last Recorded Year: 2024
Last Recorded By – Clive Ashton
Last Recorded General Area – Cromford
Selected Images:  Melbourne Derbyshire – Tony Davison©

Triple-spotted Clay - Noctuidae - Xestia ditrapezium
Triple-spotted Clay – Xestia ditrapezium – Melbourne Derbyshire – Tony Davison
73.360 BF2127 - Triple -spotted Clay - 20/7/2024 - Cromford - Clive Ashton
73.360 BF2127 – Triple -spotted Clay – 20/7/2024 – Cromford – Clive Ashton
Triple-spotted Clay - Noctuidae - Xestia ditrapezium
73.360 BF2127 - Triple -spotted Clay - 20/7/2024 - Cromford - Clive Ashton


Image Gallery

Triple -spotted Clay - 20th July 2024 - Cromford - Clive Ashton Triple-spotted Clay - Melbourne - Tony Davison©

Distribution Map for Xestia ditrapezium

Found 112 records
    ↳ 1 from After 2025
    ↳ 21 from 2020 - 2024
    ↳ 90 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 – Xestia ditrapezium

⚠️ 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: Xestia ditrapezium
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

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


First/Last Recorded Dates: Xestia ditrapezium
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: Xestia ditrapezium
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Xestia ditrapezium
AGR: 0%   |   Total % Change: 0%


CUSUM Analysis: Xestia ditrapezium
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 2006, reaching above average levels. The lowest population point occurred near 2012, 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: Xestia ditrapezium
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Xestia ditrapezium
( 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 - Xestia ditrapezium – 112 records available

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

Site NameTetradDateCountStageSource
HathersageSK28F30/06/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Darley BridgeSK26Q13/07/20241Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Lower Cromford GardenSK25Y20/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ninelands RoadSK28F18/07/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F29/07/20224adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F19/07/20224adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F10/07/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Station Road, Darley DaleSK26R17/07/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Station Road, Darley DaleSK26R18/07/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Station Road, Darley DaleSK26R19/07/20222adultvc57_irecords_extract
Station Road, Darley DaleSK26R23/07/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Station Road, Darley DaleSK26R29/07/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A27/06/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Allestree, Derby, Elm GroveSK34K24/02/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F02/07/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F09/07/20212adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F13/07/20212adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F23/07/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Station Road, Darley DaleSK26R14/07/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Station Road, Darley DaleSK26R16/07/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Station Road, Darley DaleSK26R21/07/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Allestree, DerbySK33P31/07/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F15/07/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Station Road, Darley DaleSK26R13/07/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Station Road, Darley DaleSK26R16/07/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Station Road, Darley DaleSK26R22/07/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A24/06/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Brunt's Farm, GrindlefordSK27P02/08/20162Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z20/07/20161adultvc57_irecords_extract
Highcliffe (garden), EyamSK27D30/07/20161Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Highcliffe (field), EyamSK27D30/07/20161Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wood Lane, Newhall, SwadlincoteSK22V21/07/20161Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Firestone Lane, MatlockSK36G18/07/20142adultvc57_irecords_extract
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R09/08/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Millers DaleSK17L11/08/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R12/08/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R21/07/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R21/07/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R03/08/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R03/07/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R08/07/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
DovedaleSK15K11/07/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Clough Wood,Darley DaleSK26K14/07/20112Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R18/07/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R11/07/20113Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R17/07/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R04/07/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Welbeck Drive,WingerworthSK36T08/07/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R13/07/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R17/06/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Via Gellia,CromfordSK25T25/06/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Marlborough Rd,Long EatonSK43X14/06/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R15/06/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Marlborough Rd,Long EatonSK43X14/06/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R03/08/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R07/08/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R20/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R09/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R14/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R16/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R26/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R06/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Rose Av,ClowneSK57D08/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R11/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R13/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R17/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R19/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R22/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R25/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R28/06/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R30/06/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Matlock Moor,MatlockSK36G08/08/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R27/07/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R18/07/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R29/06/20092Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R25/06/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R22/07/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R25/07/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R20/07/20082Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R10/07/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R21/07/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R24/07/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R26/07/20084Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R30/07/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R09/08/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Flash Lane,Beeley MoorSK26X16/07/20063Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R24/07/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R18/07/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R30/06/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Church St,Holloway,MatlockSK35I13/07/20053Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N12/07/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Mays,Malthouse Lane,FroggattSK27N12/07/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Clough Wood,Darley DaleSK26L21/07/20011Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Upper Moor,MatlockSK36C23/07/20011Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Clough Wood,Darley DaleSK26L21/07/20011Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Upper Moor, MatlockSK36C23/07/20011Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R12/07/19991Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R15/07/19991Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lathkill Dale (site not precise)SK16S12/07/19861Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lathkill Dale (site not precise)SK16S26/07/19863Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Matlock (Teacher Training College)SK36A31/07/19831Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Beeley Lodge, ChatsworthSK26U08/07/19821Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Beeley Lodge, ChatsworthSK26U21/07/19822Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Beeley Lodge, Chatsworth ParkSK26U08/07/19821Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Beeley Lodge, Chatsworth ParkSK26U21/07/19822Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Matlock (Teacher Training College)SK36A13/07/19801Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Newbold Drive, ChesterfieldSK37R06/06/19641Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Newbold Drive, ChesterfieldSK37R06/06/19641Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Newbold Ave, ChesterfieldSK37R21/06/19588Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Newbold Ave, ChesterfieldSK37R28/06/19587Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Little Eaton (site not precise)SK34R01/01/19051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Little Eaton (site not precise)SK34R01/01/19001Adultvc57_danes_bc_data

Setaceous Hebrew Character       Double Square-spot

Copyright Tony Davison © 2025 www.derbyshiremoths.org

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