– click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
– Rare / Uncommon / Scarce 
– Red-listed
– easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.ID pointers: A rather thick set moth with broad wings that are blackish with bright creamy-yellow cross-lines and also outlined oval and kidney mark. The whole wing is dusted in a golden yellow and several cross-lines are also bordered in golden yellow.
Distribution: (First record: 1952 ) – (Last record: 23 August 2023 at Cromford ) – A nationally endangered species with a large decline in population. A resident that is generally uncommon but widely distributed in Derbyshire. The population has declined and only found in small numbers in all areas of the county. First recorded in Derbyshire in 1952 and first record this century was in 2006.
*** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Forewing: 15-19mm
First Recorded Year: 1952
Last Recorded By – Clive Ashton
Last Recorded General Area – Cromford
Selected Images: Froggatt, Derbyshire – Bryan Barnacle©
Image Gallery
Distribution Map for Tholera cespitis
Found 55 records
↳ 2 from After 2025
↳ 2 from 2020 - 2024
↳ 51 from Before 2020
↳ 2 from After 2025
↳ 2 from 2020 - 2024
↳ 51 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 – Tholera cespitis
⚠️ 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:
Tholera cespitis
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Monthly Counts By Year: Tholera cespitis
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only. )
First/Last Recorded Dates: Tholera cespitis
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: Tholera cespitis
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Tholera cespitis
AGR: 0% | Total % Change: 0%
CUSUM Analysis: Tholera cespitis
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 17 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 2011, reaching above average levels. The lowest population point occurred near 2000, 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: Tholera cespitis
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Tholera cespitis
Tholera cespitis
( 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 - Tholera cespitis – 55 records available
Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns
| Site Name | Tetrad | Date | Count | Stage | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bamford, Hope Valley SBE, UK | SK28B | 30/08/2025 | 1 | Adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Bamford, Hope Valley SBE, UK | SK28B | 25/08/2025 | 1 | Adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Upper Cromford Garden | SK25Y | 23/08/2023 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Hathersage, Derbyshire, UK | SK28F | 28/08/2022 | 1 | adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Ashford In the Water (Marble Mill) | SK16Z | 10/09/2019 | 1 | adult | Danes_2019-2021 |
| The Mays, Malthouse Lane, Froggatt | SK27N | 08/09/2019 | 1 | adult | Danes_2019-2021 |
| Not given | SK27N | 12/09/2015 | 1 | Adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Jim Mart Nature Reserve | SK36S | 03/09/2013 | 1 | Adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Hartington (station quarry) | SK16K | 03/09/2013 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Lang Rd, Alvaston, Derby | SK33R | 25/06/2013 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| The Mays,Malthouse Lane,Froggatt | SK27N | 03/09/2011 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Oaks Barn Cottage, Monyash Rd, Over Haddon, Bakewell | SK26D | 04/09/2011 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| The Mays,Malthouse Lane,Froggatt | SK27N | 04/09/2011 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Lathkill Dale (woodland edge),Youlgreave | SK16X | 03/09/2011 | 3 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Lathkill Dale (woodland edge),Youlgreave | SK16X | 03/09/2011 | 3 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| The Mays,Malthouse Lane,Froggatt | SK27N | 03/09/2011 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| The Mays,Malthouse Lane,Froggatt | SK27N | 04/09/2011 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Dovedale | SK15K | 29/08/2011 | 4 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Dovedale | SK15K | 29/08/2011 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Dovedale | SK15K | 29/08/2011 | 4 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Dovedale | SK15K | 29/08/2011 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Dovedale (stepping stones) | SK15K | 19/09/2010 | 5 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Dovedale | SK15K | 19/09/2010 | 2 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Dovedale | SK15K | 19/09/2010 | 5 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Dovedale | SK15K | 19/09/2010 | 2 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley Dale | SK26R | 01/09/2000 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley Dale | SK26R | 01/09/2000 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| The Field,Shipley,Ilkeston | SK44M | 24/08/1995 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| The Field,Shipley,Ilkeston | SK44M | 24/08/1995 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Beeley Moor, Beeley (site not precies) | SK26Z | 24/08/1986 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Beeley Lodge, Chatsworth | SK26U | 10/09/1982 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Beeley Lodge, Chatsworth Park | SK26U | 10/09/1982 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Wragg's Quarry,Rowsley Moor | SK26Y | 05/09/1981 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Askew Grove, Repton | SK32D | 07/09/1981 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Wragg's Quarry, Beeley Moor, Beeley | SK26Y | 05/09/1981 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Askew Grove, Repton | SK32D | 08/08/1981 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Atlow Mill, Derbs. | SK24J | 05/08/1979 | 1 | Adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| Moorlawn Ave, Holymoorside | SK36P | 10/10/1978 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Moorlawn Ave, Holymoorside | SK36P | 10/10/1978 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Atlow Mill, Derbs. | SK24J | 02/09/1975 | 1 | Adult | vc57_irecords_extract |
| The Old Manse, Ault Hucknall, Glapwell | SK46S | 07/09/1968 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Berry St, Hepthorne Lane, North Wingfield | SK46C | 06/09/1968 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| The Old Manse, Ault Hucknall, Glapwell | SK46S | 30/08/1968 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| The Old Manse, Ault Hucknall, Glapwell | SK46S | 31/08/1968 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Newbold Rd, Chesterfield | SK37R | 01/09/1962 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Newbold Rd, Chesterfield | SK37R | 28/08/1962 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Gladwin's Mark, Beeley Moor | SK36D | 10/09/1960 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Moorend, Beeley, Matlock | SK26T | 01/09/1959 | 2 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Moorend, Beeley | SK26T | 01/09/1959 | 2 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Moorend, Beeley, Matlock | SK26T | 20/08/1959 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Newbold Ave, Chesterfield | SK37R | 21/08/1959 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Moorend, Beeley, Matlock | SK26T | 28/08/1959 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Moorend, Beeley | SK26T | 20/08/1959 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Moorend, Beeley | SK26T | 28/08/1959 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |
| Newbold Ave, Chesterfield | SK37R | 05/09/1957 | 1 | Adult | vc57_danes_bc_data |