An exciting new species for VC57 Derbyshire, when Dave Evans tentatively identified Dichomeris alacella in his overnight mv light trap on 10th July 2025 in Belper. Due to the difficulties involved with the ID, Dave got in touch with Stephen Palmer, from the Gelechiid Recording Scheme, and put forward his thoughts on his identification. Stephen […]
Whilst moth trapping at Wildboar Clough, Longdendale on 8th/9th July 22025, Christian Heintzen record two individuals of the micro moth, Monochroa cytisella, representing a new species for VC57 Derbyshire. Strange that this moth has not been recorded before, as it is supposed to be widespread where the food plant, bracken occurs, and there seems to
A new species of micro moth for VC57 Derbyshire was recorded on 30th June 2025. Dave Evans found Argyresthia arceuthina (White-headed Tip Moth) in his huge haul of moths whist trapping at Darwin Forest, Matlock. This represents the 899th species of micro moth for VC57 Derbyshire. Dave did amazingly well to find this tiny little
A new species of macro moth for VC57 Derbyshire was brought to my attention via the recorder. Upon investigation on iRecorder the data had been processed by another person outside of our Verification team. The moth concerned was a Kent Black Arches that had been trapped at Drakelow Reserve (VC57 and not the Staffordshire side)
A second record of Brindled White Spot was trapped overnight on 3rd July 2025 at Darwin Forest, Matlock by Dave Evans. Hot on the heals of the first record which was from Rosliston Forest, 17th May 2024.
I ran my 20W actinic moth trap from my garden in Melbourne, Derbyshire overnight on 1st July 2025 – Results as follows in no particular order – Box Tree Moth (17 inc a melanic individual); Swallow-tailed Moth (4); Ruby Tiger (1); Common Footman (18); Scarce Footman (10); Snout (1); Riband Wave 18); Willow Beauty (7);
June produced a wide range of exciting migrant moths, into the VC57 recording area. A total of 35 separate records covering 14 species, were received including a first record of Small Marbled for Derbyshire. This was followed by a further three more during the period 29-1st July 2025. The first record was recorded from Matlock
A Small Marbled (Eublemma parva) was recorded in a garden moth trap at Matlock, by Dan Martin, overnight on 27th June 2025. This represents the first record for VC57 and Derbyshire of this migrant from Southern Europe. The species is especially rare inland, but is frequently recorded at UK coastal sites during times of high
A new micro moth species for Derbyshire & VC57 was recorded from Norton Lees on 21st June 2025 by Pete Mella. A Grapholita lobarzewskii (Small Fruit Moth) was attracted to his garden light trap.
A very fresh Bordered Sallow was recorded from a garden light trap overnight on 17th June 2025 by Emily Milnes. This species has not been recorded in the county since 2018 when one was trapped at Pleasley Pit NR. In recent times there are very few modern day records from Derbyshire of this attractive macro
I ran my 20W actinic moth trap from my garden in Melbourne, Derbyshire overnight on 15th June 2025 – Results as follows in no particular order – Riband Wave (10); Peppered Moth (1) Buff-tip (1); Brimstone Moth (1); Dark Arches (3); Marbled Minor agg (3); Buff Ermine (1); Heart and Dart (8); Willow Beauty (2);
Two local “moth-ers”, Dave Newcombe and Brian Hallam, independently recorded Four-spotted Footman within 24 hours of each other. Dave Newcombe ran his Belper garden moth trap overnight on 12th June 2025 and posted a record of Four-spotted Footman, that was hidden away in his list of species. I guess Dave was unaware of the significance
May produced a wide range of exciting micro moths, so this months moth goes to a micro. On 24/25th May 2025, Christian Heintzen recorded an Ancylis upupana (Southern Hook-wing) from Glossop. This is a new species of micro moth for the VC57 recording area. A species that seems to be expanding its range northwards. Christian
I ran my 20W UV Skinner Moth Trap overnight on 30th May 2025 from my garden in Melbourne, Derbyshire. The results are as follows – Common Marbled Carpet (2); Heart and Dart (13); Bryotropha affinis (Dark Moss Moth) (1); Aphomia sociella (Bee Moth) (1); Flame (1); Small Dusty Wave (1); Common Wainscot (4); Chrysoteuchia culmella
A new micro moth species for VC57 and Derbyshire has been recorded from Glossop on 24/25th May 2025 by Christian Heintzen – Ancylis upupana – Southern Hook-wing
A Privet Hawk-moth was discovered on a tree trunk in Linear Park, Clowne, 11th May 2025 – the first one for 2025. Information from Jim Russell©
The 3rd record for the VC57 and Derbyshire of Cypress Carpet was recorded by Will Soar (one of the verification team members) in his garden light trap at Kings Newton on 3rd May 2025.
I ran my 20W UV Skinner Moth Trap overnight on 10th May 2025 from my garden in Melbourne, Derbyshire. The results are as follows – Green Carpet (1); Chocolate-tip NFY (1); Knot Grass NFY (3); Pale Tussock-male NFY(1); Rivulet NFY (1); Mottled Pug NFY (1); Foxglove Pug NFY (1) Shuttle-shaped Dart (1); Chinese Character (1);
Update May 2025 – The website now has maps, charts and moth record data for all macro and micro species that have been recorded in VC57 and Derbyshire. They are located on each species page. Above each map there are three TABS – The Charts are behind the CHART TAB, and a sensible limit of
On 3rd/4th April Clive Ashton discovered a Blossom Underwing in his Cromford garden light trap. This was to be the 2nd record of this species for the recording area. The amazing thing was that I had sent out a message to the Derbyshire Moth Facebook Group a few days prior, suggesting that Blossom Underwing was
Clive Ashton recorded the 2nd record of Square Spot for VC57 and Derbyshire whilst running a light trap at Cromford Moor overnight on 1st May 2025. This species is very difficult to separate from Engrailed, but there are subtle differences, so Clive was very cautious with his identification.
I ran my 20W UV Skinner type garden moth trap overnight on 27th April 2025, Melbourne – results as follows: Epiphyas postvittana (Light Brown Apple Moth) (2); Muslin Moth (1); Pale Prominent (1); Chinese Character (1); White Ermine (male) (1):
Another Blossom Underwing, the 3rd VC57 record, was recorded on 26th April 2025 again by Clive Ashton from his Cromford garden light trap. Two records within 3 weeks of each other is not bad going!! Difficult to say whether this species is trying to establish itself in the county or whether the two that Clive
A new micro moth species for VC57 and Derbyshire, Depressaria daucella, was confirmed to-day by Steve Orridge (one of our verifier team members) when he received Gen Det confirmation of the species. He trapped the moth on 26th March 2025 from his garden in Buxton. This takes the VC57 & Derbyshire Micro list to 883
I ran my 20w UV Skinner type moth trap overnight in my Melbourne garden – results as follows – Waved Umber (1); Common Quaker (3); Muslin Moth (2); Brindled Beauty (2); Double-striped Pug (2); Brindled Pug(1); Oak-tree Pug (1); Shuttle-shaped Dart (2): 8/14.
