The Magpie       Clouded Border
70.206 BF1885  –  Geometridae –  Ennominae – Abraxas sylvata – Clouded Magpie – (Scopoli, 1763) 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   >>  Geometridae  >> Ennominae
ID Difficulty:  amber  – care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required.
Confusion Species:  Magpie
ID pointers: Unmistakable. Similar to Magpie but lacks the bold black markings, replaced by blue/black blotches and orange brown blotches on inner edge of forewings and hind wings and at basal area of forewing.
Distribution:  (Last record: 12 July 2024 at Buxton )  –  A resident that has become scarce and uncommon and locally distributed in Derbyshire. Favours woodland areas where there are Elm Trees, principle colonies in the Limestone Dales. Dutch Elm disease is probably the cause of the decline in this species. On 24th June 2024 a total of 50 were recorded from a light trap in Via Gellia. 
Flight Period: May /  June /  July /  –  On the wing – May – July Moth Activity: Nocturnal  Crepuscular   – but often seen by day Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Clive Ashton  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Wingspan: 35-44mm
Forewing: 18-22mm Food Plant: Wych Elm and English Elm.
Last Recorded By – Ian White
Last Recorded General Area – Buxton
Selected Images:  Via Gellia , Derbyshire – Clive Ashton ©

Clouded Magpie - Clive Ashton
Clouded Magpie – Clive Ashton
Clouded Magpie - Clive Ashton
Clouded Magpie – Clive Ashton
Clouded Magpie Caterpillar - 31st August 2024 - Blackwell Mill - Ian White
Clouded Magpie Caterpillar – 31st August 2024 – Blackwell Mill – Ian White
Clouded Magpie - 21st June 2024 - Blackwell Mill - Ian White
Clouded Magpie – 21st June 2024 – Blackwell Mill – Ian White
Clouded Magpie - Clive Ashton
Clouded Magpie - Clive Ashton
Clouded Magpie Caterpillar - 31st August 2024 - Blackwell Mill - Ian White
Clouded Magpie - 21st June 2024 - Blackwell Mill - Ian White


Image Gallery

Clouded Magpie - 21st June 2024 - Blackwell Mill - Ian White Clouded Magpie Caterpillar - 31st August 2024 - Blackwell Mill - Ian White Clouded Magpie - 24th June 2024 - Via Gellia, Derbyshire - Clive Ashton©

Distribution Map for Abraxas sylvata

Found 126 records
    ↳ 10 from After 2025
    ↳ 19 from 2020 - 2024
    ↳ 97 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 – Abraxas sylvata

⚠️ 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: Abraxas sylvata
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

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


First/Last Recorded Dates: Abraxas sylvata
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: Abraxas sylvata
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Abraxas sylvata
AGR: 3.01%   |   Total % Change: 110%


CUSUM Analysis: Abraxas sylvata
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 4 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 8 (August) 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 2009, reaching above average levels. The lowest population point occurred near 2006, 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: Abraxas sylvata
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Abraxas sylvata
( 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 - Abraxas sylvata – 126 records available

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

Site NameTetradDateCountStageSource
Via GelliaSK25T02/07/20256adultvc57_irecords_extract
Wye DaleSK17B02/06/20251Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Wye DaleSK17B03/06/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Miller's DaleSK17G13/06/20255adultvc57_irecords_extract
upper cromford gardenSK25Y17/06/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Lowcroft, Buxton SK, UKSK07S21/06/20251Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Wirksworth, Matlock DEHE, UKSK25S16/06/20251Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Lathkill DaleSK16X15/05/20253adultvc57_irecords_extract
Conksbury Old Hall, Conksbury, Bakewell DEJW, UKSK26C19/05/20251Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Miller's DaleSK17G30/05/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Wye DaleSK17B31/08/20241Larvavc57_irecords_extract
Over Haddon, Bakewell DEJF, UKSK16X08/07/20241Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton (w)SK07R12/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Derbyshire, UKSK17B21/06/20241Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07R24/06/20241Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton (w)SK07R24/06/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Via GelliaSK25T24/06/202450adultvc57_irecords_extract
Not givenSK16X30/04/20241Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Middleton Wood verge Via GelliaSK25T02/07/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Not givenSK16X13/06/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Lower Cromford GardenSK25Y21/06/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Lower Cromford GardenSK25Y26/06/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Lower Cromford GardenSK25Y22/07/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Not givenSK16X17/06/20221Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07S30/06/20221Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft AveSK07S28/06/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A29/06/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Monks DaleSK17H15/06/20211not recordedvc57_irecords_extract
DovedaleSK15L16/07/20201Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Millers Dale (Trail-Kiln)SK17G15/07/20173Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Dovedale, Ashbourne DENL, UKSK15L03/06/20171Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Lathkill DaleSK16Y09/06/20174not recordedvc57_irecords_extract
Whitwell Wood (centre area), Whitwell, WorksopSK57J17/06/201730Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Monsal DaleSK17Q28/05/20171adultvc57_irecords_extract
Lathkill DaleSK16X19/06/20162adultvc57_irecords_extract
Calver MarshSK27M17/07/20151Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07S16/06/20151Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Not givenSK25T03/07/201466Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Not givenSK21C03/07/20141Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Catton Wood, Walton on TrentSK21C03/07/20141Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lathkill DaleSK26D29/06/20141Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lathkill DaleSK26D29/06/20141Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Deep Dale NR, AshfordSK17Q04/06/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Via Gellia,CromfordSK25T04/08/20125Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Via Gellia,CromfordSK25T10/06/201210Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lathkill Dale (woodland edge),YoulgreaveSK16X03/09/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lathkill Dale (woodland edge),YoulgreaveSK16X03/09/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Oaks Barn Cottage, Monyash Rd, Over Haddon, BakewellSK26D26/06/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Via Gellia,CromfordSK25T20/06/20112Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Via Gellia,CromfordSK25T25/06/201135Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Halldale Wood,Darley DaleSK26X21/05/20114Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lathkill DaleSK26D04/09/20101Larvaevc57_danes_bc_data
Buxton SK, UKSK07S06/06/20101Adultvc57_irecords_extract
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R27/06/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave,BuxtonSK07S05/06/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S05/06/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Etherow CPSJ99Q20/06/20091not recordedvc57_irecords_extract
Dovedale (Staffs side)SK15K01/06/200972Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lathkill DaleSK16X07/06/200821Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
DovedaleSK15L21/07/20063Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Whitwell Wood (centre area), Whitwell, WorksopSK57J18/06/200616Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lathkill Dale,BakewellSK16Y25/05/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Whitwell Wood,Whitwell,WorksopSK57J01/07/20053Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Flash Lane,Beeley Moor (site not precise)SK26Z13/07/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Litton Frith Wood & MeadowSK17R02/06/20031Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Litton (Frith Wood & Meadow), Little LongstoneSK17R02/06/20031Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Litton (Frith Wood & Meadow), Little LongstoneSK17R02/06/20031Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Litton Frith Wood & MeadowSK17S29/05/20021Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Litton Frith Wood & MeadowSK17R29/05/20021Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Litton (Frith Wood & Meadow), Little LongstoneSK17S29/05/20021Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Litton (Frith Wood & Meadow), Little LongstoneSK17R29/05/20021Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Litton (Frith Wood & Meadow), Little LongstoneSK17S29/05/20021Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Litton (Frith Wood & Meadow), Little LongstoneSK17R29/05/20021Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Via Gelia (Bonsall Wood), CromfordSK25T20/09/200120Larvaevc57_danes_bc_data
Halldale Wood,nr Darley Dale (site not precise)SK26X18/06/20013Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Halldale Wood,nr Darley Dale (site not precise)SK26X28/06/20019Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Halldale Wood,nr Darley Dale (site not precise)SK26X29/06/20014Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Halldale Wood,nr Darley Dale (site not precise)SK26X18/06/20013Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Halldale Wood,nr Darley Dale (site not precise)SK26X28/06/20019Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Halldale Wood,nr Darley Dale (site not precise)SK26X29/06/20014Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Via Gellia, Cromford (site not precise)SK25Y27/05/20011Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Via Gellia, Cromford (site not precise)SK25Y27/05/20011Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Litton (Frith Wood & Meadow), Little LongstoneSK17R24/06/20001Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Litton (Frith Wood & Meadow), Little LongstoneSK17R24/06/20001Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Chee Dale, TideswellSK17G02/06/19971Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Litton Frith Wood & MeadowSK17R18/06/19951Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Litton (Frith Wood & Meadow), Little LongstoneSK17R18/06/19951Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Litton (Frith Wood & Meadow), Little LongstoneSK17R18/06/19951Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Via Gellia,CromfordSK25N30/05/19921Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Whitwell Wood,WhitwellSK57J30/05/19901Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Whitwell Wood,Whitwell,WorksopSK57J30/05/19901Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Abney CloughSK27E06/07/19841Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Matlock (Teacher Training College)SK36A07/07/19841Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Abney Clough,Great HucklowSK27E06/07/19841Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Abney Clough, Great HucklowSK27E06/07/19841Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Drummond Rd, IlkestonSK44R07/07/19831Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lathkill Dale (site not precise), BakewellSK16S18/07/19811Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Clough Wood,Darley DaleSK26K03/06/19811Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Clough Wood,Darley DaleSK26K26/05/19813Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Via Gellia (site not precise),CromfordSK25N27/05/19811Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Clough Wood,Darley DaleSK26K27/05/19811Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Via Gellia (site not precise), CromfordSK25N27/05/19811Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Askew Grove, ReptonSK32D12/06/19761Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Askew Grove, ReptonSK32D12/06/19761Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Nimblejack (quarry), Via Gellia, Cromford (site not precise)SK25T15/06/19712Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Nimblejack (quarry), Via Gellia, Cromford (site not precise)SK25T12/06/19715Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Via Gellia, Cromford (site not precise)SK25Y21/05/19715Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Hopton Wood Quarry (site not precise)SK25M04/07/19701Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Gleadless Townend, SheffieldSK38W01/06/19706Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Gleadless area (site not precise)SK38W10/06/197015Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Welbeck Rd, BolsoverSK47V22/07/19691Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Old Manse, Ault Hucknall, GlapwellSK46S17/06/19683Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Old Manse, Ault Hucknall, GlapwellSK46S19/06/19682Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Old Manse, Ault Hucknall, GlapwellSK46S18/06/19689Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Old Manse, Ault Hucknall, GlapwellSK46S08/06/19681Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lathkill Dale (site not precise), BakewellSK16S03/06/19671Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Moss Valley, FordSK48A14/06/19651Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Moss Valley, FordSK48A14/06/19651Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Manners Wood,BakewellSK26J18/06/19601Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Moorend, Beeley, MatlockSK26T26/06/19591Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Moorend, BeeleySK26T26/06/19591Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Lathkill Dale (site not precise)SK16S03/06/19562Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Cowlishaw Wood, Old TuptonSK36S13/06/19531Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Cowlishaw Wood, Old TuptonSK36S13/06/19531Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ford, Eckington (site not precise)SK47J11/06/19495Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Cressbrook Dale, Tideswell (site not precise)SK17R19/06/19481Adultvc57_danes_bc_data

The Magpie       Clouded Border

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