70.231 BF1910 - Lilac Beauty - Geometridae - Apeira syringaria
70.231 BF1910  – Lilac Beauty  – Apeira syringaria  –  (Linnaeus, 1758)
Adult Macro:  CAT 2 – Can be confused with other species – Good photographs may be required – Can be confused with other species      
PDF Icon – click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines

Green –  Rare / Uncommon / Scarce   
Taxonomy:   Macro  >>.  >>  Geometridae  >> Ennominae
ID Difficulty:  green  – easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.
ID pointers: A large moth that is distinctive. Attractively marked with lilac and orange-brown shades across both upper-wing surfaces. The resting posture is diagnostic with leading edge of forewing creased.  A bold brown horizontal line runs through fore & hind wing and a row of tiny black spots on hind wing.
Distribution:  (Last record: 6 September 2025 at Drakelow WR )  –  Resident widely distributed but generally uncommon in Derbyshire. Restricted to the south of the county and the population is precarious with very few records. Smaller numbers further north.
General Comment: None
Flight Period: June /  July –  On the wing June – July – one generation Moth Activity: Nocturnal   – and is attracted to light Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Jane & Phil Lester, Dave Evans/ Clive Ashton  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 13 January 2026 by TD ***
Wingspan: 38-42mm
Forewing: 19-28mm
Food Plant: Honeysuckle (Lonicera), Ash and Wild Privet (Ligustrum).
Last Recorded Year: 2025
Last Recorded By – Mike Williams
Last Recorded General Area – Drakelow WR

Selected Images:  Curbar, Derbyshire –  Jane & Phil Lester © / Belper – Dave Evans© / Cromford (2025) Clive Ashton©



Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1902 - 2025)  |  Immatures: (between 1974 - 1985)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)
This chart summarises all available historical occurrence records collated by ISO week of the year. It reflects recorder effort and sampling distribution as well as true biological activity, and should be interpreted as an indicative pattern of seasonal occurrence rather than a statistically controlled abundance or phenology model.

Distribution Map for Apeira syringaria

Found 101 records
    ↳ from 2026+
    ↳ 19 from 2020 - 2025
    ↳ 82 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 – Apeira syringaria

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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: Apeira syringaria
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

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

First/Last Recorded Dates: Apeira syringaria
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: Apeira syringaria
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Apeira syringaria
AGR: -1.68%   |   Total % Change: -33.3%

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Apeira syringaria
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Apeira syringaria

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 - Apeira syringaria – 101 records available

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

Site Name Tetrad Date Count Stage Recorder Source RecordKey
Drakelow N.R. SK22F 06/09/2025 1 adult Williams, Michael vc57_irecords_extract iBRC45130802
Darwin Forest SK26X 30/06/2025 1 adult Evans, Dave vc57_irecords_extract iBRC43015009
upper cromford garden SK25Y 23/06/2025 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42592419
Belper SK34U 20/06/2025 1 adult Evans, Dave vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42501453
Shallcross Avenue, Whaley Bridge SK07E 17/06/2025 1 Adult Pat FW vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42590652
upper cromford garden SK25Y 11/06/2025 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC42237379
upper cromford garden SK25Y 28/06/2024 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36715545
Stonebroom SK45E 27/06/2024 1 adult Bradley, Jonathan vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36715342
upper cromford garden SK25Y 26/06/2024 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36695847
Markham Vale South Tip SK47K 26/06/2024 1 adult Morris, Sid vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36697329
Shallcross Avenue, Whaley Bridge SK07E 25/06/2024 1 Adult Pat FW vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36656325
upper cromford garden SK25Y 25/06/2024 1 adult Ashton, Clive vc57_irecords_extract iBRC36668025
Froggatt, Hope Valley SK27N 22/06/2024 1 adult Barnacle, Bryan vc57_irecords_extract iBRC38646464
Belper SK34U 09/08/2023 1 adult Evans, Dave vc57_irecords_extract iBRC35296789
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UK SK28F 24/06/2023 1 adult Miles, Claire vc57_irecords_extract iBRC31129811
Bowstocks Lane, Risley SK43S 28/08/2022 1 adult Gregory, Neil vc57_irecords_extract iBRC27863788
EA depot SK43G 22/06/2022 1 adult Collins, Stuart vc57_irecords_extract iBRC28766495
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UK SK28F 17/06/2022 1 adult Miles, Claire vc57_irecords_extract iBRC28792609
Not given SK27N 08/07/2021 1 Adult Barnacle, Bryan vc57_irecords_extract iBRC20994446
The Meads, Shipley Park, Heanor SK44H 13/07/2019 1 adult COX, Mr K. Danes_2019-2021 1369
Birch Vale SK08I 06/07/2017 1 adult Hewitt, Jane vc57_irecords_extract iBRC40500008
Whitwell Wood (centre area), Whitwell, Worksop SK57J 17/06/2017 3 Adult Dave Budworth;D. Brumbill;D.A. Clarke;D.A. Smith;K vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WQJVC
Belper SK34U 07/07/2015 1 adult Evans, Dave vc57_irecords_extract iBRC38605734
Backgarden Marehay SK34Z 30/06/2015 1 adult Thorpe, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC33505658
Backgarden Marehay SK34Z 05/09/2014 1 adult Thorpe, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC33507611
Backgarden Marehay SK34Z 25/06/2014 1 adult Thorpe, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC33506756
Hillside, The Hillock, Curbur, Calver SK27M 24/06/2014 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OJY2I
Backgarden Marehay SK34Z 21/06/2014 2 adult Thorpe, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC33506687
Duffield Rd, Allestree, Derby SK34K 19/07/2013 1 Adult P. Smith vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WP3YO
Blacksmith's Lane, Egginton, Burton on Trent SK22U 15/07/2013 1 Adult A.B. Wassell vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WQIA6
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley Dale SK26R 08/07/2013 1 Adult A. Butler vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OKAYO
Backgarden Marehay SK34Z 06/07/2013 1 adult Thorpe, Steve vc57_irecords_extract iBRC33508141
Gillfield Wood, Totley, Sheffield SK27Z 21/07/2012 1 Adult H.E. Beaumont;R.F. Botterill vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WPSD5
Marlborough Rd,Long Eaton SK43X 06/06/2011 1 Adult Bryce, Marion vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OL091
Hardhurst Rd, Alvaston, Derby SK33W 20/07/2010 1 Adult I. Gardler vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OJPM4
Lowes Hill,Ripley SK35V 07/07/2010 1 Adult R.A. Wain vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OJP6T
Rose Av,Clowne SK57D 02/07/2010 1 Adult D. Hursthouse vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OKU8H
Rose Av,Clowne SK57D 01/07/2010 1 Adult D. Hursthouse vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OKDIP
Lowes Hill,Ripley SK35V 20/06/2010 1 Adult R.A. Wain vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OK3RV
Ault Hucknall,Glapwell SK46S 10/07/2009 1 Adult M.E. Bradley vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OK23C
Bristol Rd,Ilkeston SK44R 24/06/2008 1 Adult S.L.P. Whiteley vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OKK22
Lowes Hill,Ripley SK35V 24/06/2006 1 Adult R.A. Wain vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OI7OM
Gallows Inn, Ilkeston SK44Q 24/06/2006 1 Adult A.D. Price vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OHT3A
Calke Park (Betty's Pool - west), Ticknall SK32R 27/07/2001 1 Adult I. Travers-Ayre;I.M. Viles vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OHOIO
Gallows Inn Close,Ilkeston SK44Q 01/07/2001 2 Adult A.D. Price vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OHOGV
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley Dale SK26R 07/07/1999 1 Adult A. Butler vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OI3K2
Gallows Inn, Ilkeston SK44Q 02/07/1999 1 Adult A.D. Price vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OJ1DW
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley Dale SK26R 01/07/1999 1 Adult A. Butler vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OI3JA
Calke Park (Poker's Leys), Ticknall SK32L 19/07/1998 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OHNW2
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley Dale SK26R 07/07/1998 1 Adult A. Butler vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OJ0UQ
School Close,Parkway Gardens,Darley Dale SK26R 01/07/1998 1 Adult A. Butler vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIBRZ
The Field,Shipley,Ilkeston SK44M 01/07/1998 1 Adult T. Duro vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OHNTQ
Far Cross,Cavendish Park,Matlock SK36A 22/07/1996 1 Adult B.L. Statham vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OHN9F
Lancaster Ave,Sandiacre SK43S 15/07/1996 1 Adult I.M. Viles vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OI2NO
The Field,Shipley,Ilkeston SK44M 06/07/1995 1 Adult T. Duro vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIYY8
Golden Brook NR, Breaston, Long Eaton SK43R 09/07/1994 1 Adult I. Travers-Ayre;I.M. Viles vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIY3M
Stevens Rd, Sandiacre SK43T 03/07/1994 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIY15
The Firs, The Avenue, Bakewell SK26E 01/07/1994 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIXXZ
Cross Green Cottages,Flint Lane,South Darley SK26Q 28/06/1993 1 Adult R. Hawksworth vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIX77
The Drey, A Sitwell St, Spondon SK33X 29/06/1992 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OI1G9
Cross Green Cottages,Flint Lane,South Darley SK26Q 25/06/1992 1 Adult R. Hawksworth vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIW5O
Fernhill Rd, Mellor SJ98U 27/06/1990 1 Adult I.F. Smith vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OHKTW
Johnnygate, Barlow, Chesterfield SK37C 25/08/1989 1 Adult R.T. Doncaster vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WORTP
Johnnygate, Barlow, Chesterfield SK37C 05/08/1989 1 Adult R.T. Doncaster vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WPX12
Johnnygate, Barlow, Chesterfield SK37C 16/07/1988 1 Adult R.T. Doncaster vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WQA9E
Lumb House, Eversleigh Rise, South Darley, Darley Bridge SK26Q 26/06/1988 1 Adult M. Graham vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WOQ9V
Carsington Cresent, Allestree, Derby SK33J 15/07/1986 2 Adult K.J. Orpe vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WQ1A5
Spring Wood, Calke, Ticknall SK32Q 24/04/1985 25 Larvae A. Braddock vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OHZ92
Brierley Wood, Unstone (site not precise) SK37T 19/04/1985 15 Larvae A. Braddock vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OHZ8Q
Matlock (Teacher Training College) SK36A 17/07/1983 2 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIPZ3
Drummond Rd, Ilkeston SK44R 14/07/1983 2 Adult T. Duro vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OHYUI
Drummond Rd, Ilkeston SK44R 12/07/1983 2 Adult T. Duro vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OHYU2
Matlock (Teacher Training College) SK36A 07/07/1983 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OHIDQ
Drummond Rd, Ilkeston SK44R 05/07/1983 1 Adult T. Duro vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIPRU
Matlock (Teacher Training College) SK36A 02/07/1982 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OHYKP
Matlock (Teacher Training College) SK36A 22/07/1981 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OINU2
Askew Grove, Repton SK32D 21/07/1981 1 Adult D.A. Young vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OHYAR
Lings Close,Ilkeston SK44S 19/07/1981 1 Adult T. Duro vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OINTN
Matlock (Teacher Training College) SK36A 09/07/1981 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OINOL
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long Eaton SK43F 08/07/1981 1 Adult R.H. Dumelow vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WQ3JD
Barnard Ave, Coal Aston SK37U 01/01/1981 1 Adult A. Mclean vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WOZFW
Matlock (Teacher Training College) SK36A 07/07/1980 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OHGW5
Clough Wood,Darley Dale (site not precise) SK26K 04/04/1980 1 Larvae VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIM1W
Ford Lane,Allestree,Derby SK34K 08/07/1979 1 Adult F.A. Jackson vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OILPQ
Ford Lane, Allestree, Derby SK34K 08/07/1979 1 Adult F.A. Jackson vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WOPFC
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long Eaton SK43F 26/07/1978 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OHXAG
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long Eaton SK43F 24/07/1978 1 Adult A. Dick vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WQ3AW
Field Close, Hilton, Burton on Trent SK23K 10/07/1978 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OHX9X
Askew Grove, Repton SK32D 29/06/1978 1 Adult D.A. Young vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIL3Z
Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Long Eaton SK43F 01/08/1977 1 Adult A. Dick vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WP3F5
Cambridge Wood, Darley Dale SK26K 08/03/1977 17 Larvae VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIK5J
Clough Wood,Darley Dale (site not precise) SK26K 12/02/1975 3 Larvae VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIIWL
Clough Wood,Darley Dale SK26K 22/02/1974 1 Larvae VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIIDP
Melton Ave, Littleover, Derby SK33G 18/07/1955 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OIFIU
Langley Mill, Heanor (site not precise) SK44N 01/01/1920 1 Adult [VC57 Recorder] vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001TAGKW
Chellaston, Derby (site not precise) SK33Q 11/07/1918 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OID8T
Repton, Swadlincote (site not precise) SK32B 01/07/1906 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OID44
Kirk Langley (site not precise) SK23Z 01/07/1902 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OHD2K
Barrow on Trent, Derby (site not precise) SK32P 01/01/1885 1 Adult G.A. Smallwood vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WPQ39
Kedleston St, Derby (site assumed to be his garden) SK33N 01/01/1885 1 Adult G. Baker vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001WPQ3W
Repton, Swadlincote (site not precise) SK32B 01/01/1800 1 Adult VC57 Derbyshire Recorder vc57_danes_bc_data LC000334001OLFFK

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