73.213 BF2312  –  Noctuidae –  Xyleninae – Ipimorpha subtusa – The Olive – ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) Adult Macro:  CAT 1 – Distinctive species unlikely to be confused with others –       PDF Icon – click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
Brown –  Significant Record / Very Rare / Vagrant    
Taxonomy:   Macro   >>  Noctuidae  >> Xyleninae
ID Difficulty:  green  – easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.
ID pointers: A fairly small and broad-winged moth with olive brown ground colour. Striking yellowish cross-lines that are not parallel and the oval and kidney marks are also outlined. Centres slightly darker than ground colour. Wings slightly arched towards the tip and only, if at all, slightly hooked.
Distribution:  (Last record: 23 July 2024 at Sandiacre )  –  A resident that has always been locally distributed and generally uncommon in Derbyshire. Found in small isolated colonies where there are poplar trees and the majority of colonies are in the Trent Valley. Has become a rare species with only a few annual records.
General Comment: None Flight Period: July /  August /  September –  On the wing July – September. One generation Moth Activity: Nocturnal   – and is attracted to light Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Tony Davison  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Wingspan: 27-30mm
Forewing: 14-16mm Food Plant: Aspen (Populus tremulosa)
Last Recorded Year: July 2024
Last Recorded By – Paul Buxton
Last Recorded General Area – Sandiacre
Selected Images:  Melbourne, Derbyshire – Tony Davison©

The Olive - Noctuidae - Ipimorpha subtusa
The Olive – Noctuidae – Ipimorpha subtusa
The Olive - Noctuidae - Ipimorpha subtusa
The Olive – Noctuidae – Ipimorpha subtusa
The Olive - Noctuidae - Ipimorpha subtusa
The Olive - Noctuidae - Ipimorpha subtusa


Image Gallery

The Olive - 2nd August 2003 - Melbourne Tony Davison© The Olive - 2nd August 2003 - Melbourne Tony Davison©

Distribution Map for Ipimorpha subtusa

Found 139 records
    ↳ 0 from After 2025
    ↳ 11 from 2020 - 2024
    ↳ 128 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 – Ipimorpha subtusa

⚠️ 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: Ipimorpha subtusa
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

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


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


CUSUM Analysis: Ipimorpha subtusa
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 10 (October) 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 2002, 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: Ipimorpha subtusa
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Ipimorpha subtusa
( 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 - Ipimorpha subtusa – 139 records available

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

Site NameTetradDateCountStageSource
Drakelow, Derbys.SK22F12/08/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
SandiacreSK43S23/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Orchid WoodSK43L23/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
BelperSK34N18/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Chaddesden, DerbySK33T18/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Chaddesden, DerbySK33T17/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
BelperSK34U07/08/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Lower Cromford GardenSK25Y11/08/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
SandiacreSK43T19/07/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A17/07/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A11/07/20223adultvc57_irecords_extract
Repton (site not precise)SK32B05/08/20181Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Waingroves WoodsSK44E18/07/20181adultvc57_irecords_extract
Willington, Derby (site not precise)SK22Z02/08/20171Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ault Hucknall,GlapwellSK46S02/08/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Hopwell Cottage Farm,OckbrookSK43H02/08/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R25/07/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Briar Close,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V23/07/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Briar Close,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V23/07/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R08/08/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lowes Hill,RipleySK35V08/08/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ault Hucknall,GlapwellSK46S07/08/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R01/08/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Drakelow NR (Minton's Lagoon), Burton on TrentSK22F24/07/20103Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Drakelow NR (Minton's Lagoon), Burton on TrentSK22F24/07/20103Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R09/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lowes Hill,RipleySK35V07/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R15/08/20092Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R12/08/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R07/08/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Glebe Rise,Littleover,DerbySK33H04/07/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Drakelow NR (car park),Burton on TrentSK22F29/08/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Drakelow NR (car park),Burton on TrentSK22F29/08/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R06/08/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Briar Close,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V02/08/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Briar Close,Newhall,SwadlincoteSK22V02/08/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R09/08/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R08/08/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R06/08/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R05/08/20072Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R04/08/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R03/08/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y29/08/20061Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main St,Kings Newton,MelbourneSK32Y29/08/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R17/07/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Drayton Ave,Mackworth,DerbySK33D12/09/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Drayton Ave,Mackworth,DerbySK33D12/09/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ault Hucknall,GlapwellSK46S10/08/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ault Hucknall, GlapwellSK46S10/08/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y06/08/20041Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main St,Kings Newton,MelbourneSK32Y06/08/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Midway Rd,Midway,SwadlincoteSK32A28/07/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R28/07/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies, Station Rd, Darley DaleSK26R28/07/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y27/07/20041Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main St,Kings Newton,MelbourneSK32Y27/07/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Melbourne, DerbyshireSK32X01/08/20031adultvc57_irecords_extract
Midway Rd,Midway,SwadlincoteSK32A26/07/20031Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Far Cross,Cavendish Park,MatlockSK36A16/07/20032Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y10/08/20023Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main St,Kings Newton,MelbourneSK32Y10/08/20023Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Clough Wood,Darley BridgeSK26Q25/05/200221Larvaevc57_danes_bc_data
Clough Wood SSSI, Darley DaleSK26K13/08/20014Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Clough Wood SSSI, Darley DaleSK26K11/08/200122Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Calke Park (Betty's Pool),TicknallSK32R27/07/20015Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Clough Wood SSSI, Darley DaleSK26K07/09/20001Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Calke Park (Poker's Leys), TicknallSK32L11/08/20001Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Calke Park (Poker's Leys), TicknallSK32L11/08/20001Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley DaleSK26R04/08/19991Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Forbes Hole LNR, Long EatonSK43W02/07/19991Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Forbes Hole NR,Long EatonSK43W02/07/19991Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Calke Park (Poker's Leys), TicknallSK32L21/08/19981Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Calke Park (Poker's Leys), TicknallSK32L21/08/19981Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Stevens Rd, SandiacreSK43T14/08/19973Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Calke Park (Betty's Pool),TicknallSK32R10/08/19971Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Calke Park,TicknallSK32R09/08/19971Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Calke Park, TicknallSK32R09/08/19971Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Spring Wood NR, Calke, TicknallSK32R04/07/19971Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Stevens Rd, SandiacreSK43T19/08/19961Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Elvaston Park (site not precise)SK43B17/08/19961Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Elvaston Park (site not precise)SK43B17/08/19961Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lang Rd, Alvaston, DerbySK33R12/08/19961Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lang Rd, Alvaston, DerbySK33R07/08/19961Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lang Rd, AlvastonSK33R10/08/19941Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Dorothy Ave, SandiacreSK43T31/07/19941Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Dorothy Ave, SandiacreSK43T31/07/19941Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wilmot St, Sawley, Long EatonSK43R26/07/19941Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Far Cross,Cavendish Park,MatlockSK36A11/08/19862Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Johnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C06/08/19831Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Johnnygate, Barlow, ChesterfieldSK37C06/08/19831Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Carsington Ave, Allestree, DerbySK33J05/08/19831Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Carsington Ave, Allestree, DerbySK33J05/08/19831Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Askew Grove, ReptonSK32D25/07/19833Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Knighton St, Hepthorne Lane, North WingfieldSK46C06/08/19821Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Knighton St, Hepthorne Lane, North WingfieldSK46C03/08/19821Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Knighton St, Hepthorne Lane, North WingfieldSK46C01/08/19821Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Askew Grove, ReptonSK32D06/08/19811Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Threepieces, Veron Lane, Kelstedge, AshoverSK36G01/09/19791Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wilmot St, Sawley, Long EatonSK43R04/08/19791Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wolds Rise, Cavendish Rd, MatlockSK36A04/08/19792Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Hazelbarrow Farm, Norton, SheffieldSK38Q08/09/19781Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wolds Rise, Cavendish Rd, MatlockSK36A23/08/19781Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Holly Wood NR, Edlaston, AshbourneSK14R19/08/19789Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Back Lane,GlapwellSK46T12/08/19782Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Back Lane, GlapwellSK46T12/08/19782Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Holly Wood NR, Edlaston, AshbourneSK14R14/09/19773Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Field,Shipley,IlkestonSK44M16/08/19761Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Askew Grove, ReptonSK32D01/01/19751Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Askew Grove, ReptonSK32D01/01/19742Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wolds Rise, Cavendish Rd, MatlockSK36A12/09/19731Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Newbold Ave, ChesterfieldSK37R05/08/19702Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Newbold Ave, ChesterfieldSK37R04/08/19703Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Berry St, Hepthorne Lane, North WingfieldSK46C24/08/19681Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Berry St, Hepthorne Lane, North WingfieldSK46C22/08/19681Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Newbold Drive, ChesterfieldSK37R10/08/19681Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Newbold Drive, ChesterfieldSK37R11/08/19661Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Newbold Drive, ChesterfieldSK37R11/09/19641Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Newbold Drive, ChesterfieldSK37R10/08/19643Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Newbold Drive, ChesterfieldSK37R05/08/19642Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Newbold Drive, ChesterfieldSK37R29/07/19641Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Newbold Rd, ChesterfieldSK37R28/08/19621Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Newbold Rd, ChesterfieldSK37R19/08/19621Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Sheepbridge area, Chesterfield (site not precise)SK37X18/08/19621Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Sheepbridge area, Chesterfield (site not precise)SK37X18/08/19621Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
John St, Clay CrossSK36W16/08/19601Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Berry St, Hepthorne LaneSK46C04/08/19601Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Berry St, Hepthorne Lane, North WingfieldSK46C04/08/19601Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
John St, Clay CrossSK36W25/07/19601Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Repton (site not precise)SK32B05/08/19181Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Willington, Derby (site not precise)SK22Z02/08/19171Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Repton (site not precise)SK32B01/07/19071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Breadsall Moor (site not precise)SK34R01/01/19051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Breadsall Moor (site not precise)SK34R01/01/19051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Little Eaton (site not precise)SK34Q08/06/18851Larvaevc57_danes_bc_data
Bretby area, Swadlincote (site not precise)SK22W01/01/18851Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Bretby area, Swadlincote (site not precise)SK22W01/01/18851Larvaevc57_danes_bc_data
Barrow on Trent, Derby (site not precise)SK32P01/01/18851Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Bretby area, Swadlincote (site not precise)SK22W01/01/18851Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Barrow on Trent, Derby (site not precise)SK32P01/01/18851Adultvc57_danes_bc_data

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