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Black Arches - Erebidae - Lymantria monacha
72.010 BF2033  – Black Arches  – Lymantria monacha  –  (Linnaeus, 1758)
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  >>.  >>  Erebidae  >> Xyleninae
ID Difficulty:  green  – easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.
ID pointers: A fairly distinctive all white moth with numerous black jagged marks, cross-lines & patterning across the wings, with pink bands on the abdomen. A bold black central crescent in the forewing which is where the moth gets its name.
Distribution:  (First record: 1 August 1977 at Matlock )  –  (Last record: 18 August 2024 at Elvaston )  –  First record from Matlock in 1977.Another one trapped in Matlock in 2001 and then one at Robin Wood in South Derbyshire in 2008 and one at Darley Dale in 2009. Next record was one at Kings Newton 21st August 2013. Since, this moth has now been recorded, in small numbers, from a wide range of sites, particularly across the south of the county.
General Comment: None Flight Period: July /  August –  On the wing July – August Moth Activity: Nocturnal  Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Tony Davison, Stephen Plant, Dave Evans  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Wingspan: 30-50mm
Forewing: 18-28mm Food Plant: Oak (Quercus), but sometimes on coniferous trees.
Last Recorded Year: 2024
First Recorded Year: 1977
Last Recorded By – Marion Bryce
Last Recorded General Area – Elvaston
Selected Images:  Kings Newton, Derbyshire – Tony Davison © – Allestree – Stephen Plant © / Belper (2024)  – Dave Evans

Black Arches - Erebidae - Lymantria monacha
Black Arches – Erebidae – Lymantria monacha
Black Arches - Erebidae - Lymantria monacha
Black Arches – Erebidae – Lymantria monacha
Black Arches - Erebidae - Lymantria monacha
Black Arches – Erebidae – Lymantria monacha
72.010 BF2033 - Black Arches - Erebidae - Lymantria monacha
Black Arches – Erebidae – Lymantria monacha
Black Arches - 30th July 2024 -Belper - Dave Evans
Black Arches – 30th July 2024 -Belper – Dave Evans
Black Arches - Erebidae - Lymantria monacha
Black Arches - Erebidae - Lymantria monacha
Black Arches - Erebidae - Lymantria monacha
72.010 BF2033 - Black Arches - Erebidae - Lymantria monacha
Black Arches - 30th July 2024 -Belper - Dave Evans


Image Gallery

No gallery images found for this moth.


Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1977 - 2025)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)

Distribution Map for Lymantria monacha

Found 61 records
    ↳ from 2026+
    ↳ 52 from 2020 - 2025
    ↳ 9 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 – Lymantria monacha

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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: Lymantria monacha
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

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

First/Last Recorded Dates: Lymantria monacha
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: Lymantria monacha
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Lymantria monacha
AGR: 0.72%   |   Total % Change: 13%

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Lymantria monacha
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Lymantria monacha

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 - Lymantria monacha – 61 records available

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

Site NameTetradDateCountStageRecorderSourceRecordKey
BelperSK34U23/08/20251adultEvans, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC44731341
Inkersall gardenSK47G16/08/20251adultDon Cambridgevc57_irecords_extractiBRC44511067
BelperSK34U13/08/20251adultEvans, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC44470839
Belper, DerbyshireSK34N13/08/20251adultNewcombe, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC44660419
Belper, DerbyshireSK34N12/08/20251adultNewcombe, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC44660039
upper cromford gardenSK25Y31/07/20251adultAshton, Clivevc57_irecords_extractiBRC44090333
Belper, DerbyshireSK34N27/07/20251adultNewcombe, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC44350546
Jim Mart Nature ReserveSK36S26/07/20251adultMahadevan, Nikkivc57_irecords_extractiBRC43885347
Belper, DerbyshireSK34N26/07/20251adultNewcombe, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC44350302
Findern, DerbyshireSK33A25/07/20251adultHallam, Brianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC43836957
Chaddesden, DerbySK33T22/07/20251adultroome, martinvc57_irecords_extractiBRC44185440
Belper, DerbyshireSK34N18/07/20251adultNewcombe, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC44274274
Mickleover gardenSK33C18/07/20251adultMaughan, Christinevc57_irecords_extractiBRC45111902
Aston-on-Trent, DerbyshireSK43A17/07/20251adultWaldron, Robertvc57_irecords_extractiBRC43496331
Findern, DerbyshireSK33A17/07/20251adultHallam, Brianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC43595127
Staveley garden SYASK47H16/07/20251adultRadford, Markvc57_irecords_extractiBRC43523347
Markham Vale South Tip DerbyshireSK47K14/07/20253adultMorris, Sidvc57_irecords_extractiBRC43443810
Findern, DerbyshireSK33A13/07/20251adultHallam, Brianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC43447699
Staveley DerbyshireSK47H11/07/20251adultMorris, Sidvc57_irecords_extractiBRC43309062
Findern, DerbyshireSK33A11/07/20251adultHallam, Brianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC43445557
Chesterfield Ambulance StationSK37K10/07/20252adultJim Aldervc57_irecords_extractiBRC43201829
Darwin ForestSK26X03/07/20251adultEvans, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC43019820
Darwin ForestSK26X01/07/20251adultEvans, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC43018264
Clover Close, ElvastonSK43B18/08/20244adultBryce, Marionvc57_irecords_extractiBRC37971396
Glapwell Garden TrapSK46T16/08/20241adultJohn Culpinvc57_irecords_extractiBRC40549834
Darley BridgeSK26Q14/08/20241AdultMoores, Stephenvc57_irecords_extractiBRC37893614
Old Park Plantation, ChatsworthSK26U12/08/20241AdultMoores, Stephenvc57_irecords_extractiBRC37846899
Markham Vale DerbyshireSK47K12/08/20242adultMorris, Sidvc57_irecords_extractiBRC37881344
Chaddesden, DerbySK33T10/08/20241adultroome, martinvc57_irecords_extractiBRC38337403
upper cromford gardenSK25Y09/08/20241adultAshton, Clivevc57_irecords_extractiBRC37792913
Inkersall gardenSK47G08/08/20242adultDon Cambridgevc57_irecords_extractiBRC37741857
Glapwell Garden TrapSK46T03/08/20242adultJohn Culpinvc57_irecords_extractiBRC40549778
BelperSK34N01/08/20241adultEvans, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC37620944
BelperSK34N29/07/20241adultEvans, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC37494976
Clover Close, ElvastonSK43B29/07/20246adultBryce, Marionvc57_irecords_extractiBRC38104413
King's NewtonSK32Y29/07/20241adultSoar, Willvc57_irecords_extractiBRC40386687
Ilkeston, DerbyshireSK44K28/07/20241adultHobby, Brianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC37608990
Markham Vale DerbyshireSK47L25/07/20241adultMorris, Sidvc57_irecords_extractiBRC37377686
Allestree, DerbySK33P24/07/20241adultPlant, Stephenvc57_irecords_extractiBRC37288808
Allestree, DerbySK33P24/07/20241adultPlant, Stephenvc57_irecords_extractiBRC40186796
Drakelow, Derbys.SK22F22/07/20242adultWilliams, Michaelvc57_irecords_extractiBRC39954316
Staunton Harold Reservoir, DerbyshireSK32S15/08/20231adultDavison, Tonyvc57_irecords_extractiBRC33088266
Findern GardenSK33A11/08/20231AdultHallam, Brianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34638039
Findern GardenSK33A10/08/20232AdultHallam, Brianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34637976
BelperSK34U10/08/20232adultEvans, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC35297164
Chesterfield Ambulance StationSK37K03/08/20232adultAlder, Jimvc57_irecords_extractiBRC32131503
Rosliston Forestry Centre, Swadlincote, Derbys.SK21N28/07/20232adultRussell Nevinvc57_irecords_extractiBRC40094744
Allestree, DerbySK33P29/07/20221adultPlant, Stephenvc57_irecords_extractiBRC48237908
EA depotSK43G27/07/20221adultCollins, Stuartvc57_irecords_extractiBRC28766737
Orchid WoodSK43L21/07/20221adultBryce, Marionvc57_irecords_extractiBRC37249922
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A18/07/20221adultBrian and Jean Hallamvc57_irecords_extractiBRC35167251
Drakelow CP, Swadlincote, England, GBSK21N03/08/20211Adulttonybayliss2000vc57_irecords_extractiBRC22856143
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y17/07/20181AdultSoar, Willvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34061917
Wood Lane, Newhall, SwadlincotesSK22V04/08/20171AdultDave Budworthvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WP7LW
gardenSK32R29/07/20161adultThornhill, Alisonvc57_irecords_extractiBRC5598910
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y21/08/20131AdultSoar, Willvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34678693
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R08/08/20091AdultRoddis, Simonvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OKPH0
Robin WoodSK32M05/08/20081AdultSoar, Willvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34678692
Robin Wood (central area)SK32M04/08/20081AdultDave Budworth;P. Patrick;W. Soarvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJKXZ
Robin Wood (central area)SK32M04/08/20081AdultDave Budworth;P. Patrick;W. Soarvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WOVVQ
Wolds Rise, Cavendish Rd, MatlockSK36A01/08/19771AdultB.L. Stathamvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OIKL7

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