Water Carpet       Northern Winter Moth
Devon Carpet - Lampropteryx otregiata
70.104 BF1751  – Devon Carpet  – Lampropteryx otregiata  – (Metcalfe, 1917)
Adult Macro:  CAT 2 – Can be confused with other species – Good photographs maybe required – Can be confused with other species      
PDF Icon – click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
Green –  Rare / Uncommon / Scarce   
Taxonomy:   Macro  >>.  >>  Geometridae  >> Larentiinae
ID Difficulty:  amber  – care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required.
Confusion Species:  Water Carpet, Small Phoenix, Phoenix and certain varieties of Broken-barred Carpet
ID pointers: The moth is very much like a small version of Water Carpet, but forewing is less tapering and more rounded with a paler and less contrasting central band. The outer edge, first third of central cross-band, is straighter than Water Carpet and the inner edge is irregular with  less sharp indentations.Christian Heintzen has commented as follows – “I find the tapered, tongue-shaped outline of the forewing the most easily recognisable feature in the field. Devon Carpet is also significantly smaller than Water Carpet but without comparison that is sometimes difficult to judge”. See ID Guide by Christian Heintzen below.
Related Link  🔗 Devon v Water Carpet ID Reference , 🔗 Devon -v- Water Carpet ID Part 2
Distribution:  (Last record: 24 August 2024 at Ludworth Moor )  –  First record was a specimen in 1984 from a wood near Ashbourne. Next record was one trapped in August 2011 from a wood near Darley Dale & 2 more from same site – May 2012. Next (5th record) was from a garden in Darley Dale in August 2013. There seems to be a well established and localised colony in the NW area of Derbyshire, especially on the high moorland woodlands. Recent records from Cromford in 2022 and Buxton in May 2023. Maybe expanding range north-eastwards. Good numbers were recorded from Glossop, wherever there was wet woodland habitat, during 2022 to 2024.
General Comment: None Flight Period: May /  June /  August /  September –  On the wing between  May – June and August – September. Two generations Moth Activity: Nocturnal   – and is attracted to light Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Christian Heintzen, Simon Roddis, Steve Orridge  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 15 January 2026 by TD ***
Forewing: 12-14mm Food Plant: Marsh Bedstraw (Galium palustre) and possibly also Fen Bedstraw (Galium uliginosum).
Last Recorded Year: 2024
Last Recorded By – Christian Heintzen
Last Recorded General Area – Ludworth Moor
Selected Images:  Glossop, Derbyshire 2022 & 2023 – Christian Heintzen© has produced some stunning images and identification comparisons below.  Darley Dale, Derbyshire – Images by Simon Roddis© 2013,  Andy Butler© 2011 and Steve Orridge© May 2023. 
 
70.104 BF1751 - Devon Carpet - Geometridae - Lampropteryx otregiata
Devon Carpet – Lampropteryx otregiata – by kind permission of Christian Heinzten
70.104 BF1751 - Devon Carpet - Geometridae - Lampropteryx otregiata
Devon Carpet – Lampropteryx otregiata – by kind permission of Christian Heinzten
70.104 BF1751 - Devon Carpet - Geometridae - Lampropteryx otregiata
Darley Dale – Trapped 27th August 2011 – 2nd record for Derbyshire – Andy Butler©
Devon Carpet - Lampropteryx otregiata
Buxton – Steve Orridge©- 24th July 2014
70.104 BF1751 - Devon Carpet - Geometridae - Lampropteryx otregiata
70.104 BF1751 - Devon Carpet - Geometridae - Lampropteryx otregiata
70.104 BF1751 - Devon Carpet - Geometridae - Lampropteryx otregiata
Devon Carpet - Lampropteryx otregiata


Image Gallery

No gallery images found for this moth.


Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1984 - 2025)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)

Distribution Map for Lampropteryx otregiata

Found 40 records
    ↳ from 2026+
    ↳ 33 from 2020 - 2025
    ↳ 7 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 – Lampropteryx otregiata

⚠️ 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: Lampropteryx otregiata
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

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

First/Last Recorded Dates: Lampropteryx otregiata
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: Lampropteryx otregiata
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Lampropteryx otregiata
AGR: 3.72%   |   Total % Change: 66.7%

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Lampropteryx otregiata
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Lampropteryx otregiata

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.

Records Behind the Map and Charts - Lampropteryx otregiata – 40 records available

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

Site NameTetradDateCountStageRecorderSourceRecordKey
Shirland - Hallfieldgate LaneSK35Z08/08/20251adultMahadevan, Nikkivc57_irecords_extractiBRC44452186
Glossop SK, UKSK09C07/08/20251AdultAlex Leesvc57_irecords_extractiBRC44234101
Dinting Nature ReserveSK09C06/08/20252adultChristian Heintzen, David Walsh, Bill Underwood, Alex Leesvc57_irecords_extractiBRC44291299
Lower Matley Moor FarmSK08E05/08/20253adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC48726818
Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G20/06/20252adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC43979550
Glossop, Gnat Hole Rough FieldsSK09L13/05/20251adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC43979117
Holmesfield, Dronfield SWG, UKSK27X31/08/20241AdultLee Martinvc57_irecords_extractiBRC39383165
Ludworth MoorSJ99V24/08/20241adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC38473391
Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G23/08/20242adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC38473378
Birch ValeSK08I13/08/20241adultHewitt, Janevc57_irecords_extractiBRC39758235
WardlowSK17X13/08/20241adultHewitt, Janevc57_irecords_extractiBRC39758269
Beresford DaleSK15J11/08/20241AdultMoores, Stephenvc57_irecords_extractiBRC37828282
Derbyshire, UKSK15J11/08/20241AdultMoores, Stephenvc57_irecords_extractiBRC38759761
Beresford DaleSK15J11/08/20241AdultMoores, Stephenvc57_irecords_extractiBRC39044571
Cote Heath Allotments, BuxtonSK07R10/08/20241adultSteven Bellvc57_irecords_extractiBRC40548884
Torside Reservoir northeast endSK09U03/08/202410adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC38472773
MellorSJ98Z29/07/20241adultKnass, Davidvc57_irecords_extractiBRC37481680
Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Herod CloughSK09G29/07/20242adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC38130829
Torside Reservoir southeast endSK09U28/07/20242adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC38130800
Beeley, Matlock DENW, UKSK26U20/05/20241AdultMoores, Stephenvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36039176
Glossop, The TwitchlingsSK09M17/05/20241adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36371742
Glossop, Gnat Hole Rough FieldsSK09L13/05/20241adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36371677
Glossop, Gnat Hole Rough FieldsSK09L19/08/20231adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36337354
Castleton Road, Hathersage, Hope Valley SEH, UKSK28F15/08/20231AdultJay Milesvc57_irecords_extractiBRC32430526
Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G06/08/20233adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36337071
Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G28/07/20233adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36336912
Glossop, Gnat Hole Rough FieldsSK09L19/06/20231adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36336253
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F10/06/20231adultMiles, Clairevc57_irecords_extractiBRC30865634
Glossop, The TwitchlingsSK09K03/06/20231adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36336110
Buxton SK, UKSK07S27/05/20231AdultOrridge, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC30519269
Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G16/05/20231adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36335960
Glossop, The TwitchlingsSK09K27/08/20221adultHeintzen, Christianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36335186
Lower Cromford GardenSK25Y07/08/20221adultAshton, Clivevc57_irecords_extractiBRC34569084
Birch ValeSK08I12/08/20181adultHewitt, Janevc57_irecords_extractiBRC40106866
Waingroves WoodsSK44E05/08/20171adultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC33504040
Clough Wood,Darley DaleSK26K25/05/20122AdultA. Butlervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OL5T6
Clough Wood,Darley DaleSK26K25/05/20122AdultA. Butlervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WQBF8
Clough Wood,Darley DaleSK26K27/07/20111AdultA. Butlervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OL2OR
Holly Wood NR, nr AshbourneSK14R05/09/19841AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHZ6Z
Holly Wood NR, Edlaston, AshbourneSK14R05/09/19841AdultA. Braddock;M.J. Sterlingvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WPV0U

Water Carpet       Northern Winter Moth

Copyright Tony Davison © 2024 - 2026 www.derbyshiremoths.org

Scroll to Top