Epiblema scutulana - 1st June 2023 - Hathersage - The late Claire Miles
49.285 BF1184  – Thistle Root-borer  – Epiblema scutulana  – ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
Adult Micro:  CAT 2 – Can be confused with other species –      
PDF Icon – click for General Verification Guidelines  |   PDF Icon – click for Specific Verification Guidelines
Green –  Rare / Uncommon / Scarce   
Taxonomy:   Micro   >>  Tortricidae  >> Olethreutinae
Other Name/s: Thistle Bell
ID Difficulty:  amber  – care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required.
Confusion Species:  Epiblema cirsiana (Knapweed Root-borer)
ID pointers: Large white torno-apical blotch as well as the large white medio-dorsal blotch and a grey hindwing.
Distribution:  (Last record: 6 January 2023 at Hathersage )  –  Harrison & Sterling 9 accounts widespread between 1917 – 1963; DaNES 6 records – 1979-2010 and iRecord 6 records 2014-2023
General Comment: None
Flight Period: May /  June Moth Activity: Cathemeral   – and is attracted to light Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: The late Claire Miles  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Wingspan: 18-23mm
Food Plant: Spear Thistle & Musk Thistle
Last Recorded Year: 2023
Last Recorded By – The late Claire Miles
Last Recorded General Area – Hathersage

Selected Images:  

Hathersage (2022) (2023) The late Claire Miles©



Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1979 - 2025)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)

Distribution Map for Epiblema scutulana

Found 11 records
    ↳ from 2026+
    ↳ 4 from 2020 - 2025
    ↳ 7 from Before 2020
Flying
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

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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 – Epiblema scutulana

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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: Epiblema scutulana
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

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

First/Last Recorded Dates: Epiblema scutulana
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: Epiblema scutulana
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Epiblema scutulana
AGR: -2.67%   |   Total % Change: -33.3%

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Epiblema scutulana
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Epiblema scutulana

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 - Epiblema scutulana – 11 records available

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

Site NameTetradDateCountStageRecorderSourceRecordKey
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S18/07/20251adultOrridge, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC43700478
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F01/06/20231adultMiles, Clairevc57_irecords_extractiBRC30631655
Hartington MeadowsSK16K21/06/20221adultMarriott, Antvc57_irecords_extractiBRC26039577
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F20/05/20221adultMiles, Clairevc57_irecords_extractiBRC28683850
Mam TorSK18G02/06/20141adultWatchorn, Andrewvc57_irecords_extractiBRC22508823
Biggin Dale, nr HartingtonSK15P12/06/20102AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001CP5DQ
DovedaleSK15K07/06/20101AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001COX3F
Pin Dale,CastletonSK18L06/07/19971AdultS.H. Hindvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001COZ1J
High Peak JunctionSK35C27/05/19971AdultF. Harrisonvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001COZLL
Mapperley NR, Mapperley, IlkestonSK44G07/06/19811AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001COZJY
Carvers Rocks NR,Hartshorne,SwadlincoteSK32G05/06/19791AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001COQAZ

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