Moths high level category header
Cydia amplana became the 930th species of micro moth for VC57 Derbyshire, when one was attracted to MV light in a Sandiacre garden light trap. Emily Milnes recorded the moth on 9th August whilst emptying the over-night trap. I predicted this moth would arrive in Derbyshire only a few weeks ago. Emily kindly invited me […]
I ran my Melbourne 20W garden light trap overnight on 27th July 2026. Results as follows in no particular order – Pyrausta aurata (Mint Moth) (8); Pleuroptya ruralis (Mother of Pearl (2); Chrysotuechia culmella (2); Lesser Broard-bordered Yellow Underwing (5); Tree-Lichen Beauty (2) (lifer and NFG); Willow Beauty (3); Flame Shoulder (3); Straw Dot (2)
A first record for VC57 Derbyshire of Pammene obscurana (Birch Catkin Tortrix) was discovered by Steve Orridge in his Buxton garden moth trap, whilst using the TIP pheromone lure on 25/5/2026 The species is a CAT4 which means it can only be positively identified by scientific examination. The specimen was identified by Gen Det analysis
News broke today of a rather special species of Hawk-moth that has arrived in large numbers across Britain during the recent hot weather that has moved up from North Africa. I was wondering when Derbyshire would get one. William Grange was the fortunate moth recorder, he recorded a Striped Hawk-moth that had been attracted to
The larval cases of Dahlica triquetrella were discovered by Mark Radford on 8th and 10th February 2026, whilst he was searching local cemeteries and churchyards for this species and for Luffia lapidella. On 8th February larval cases were found at Eckington Cemetery and on 10th February more were discovered at Bolsover Churchyard. Winged males do
Selected Images: Melbourne, Derbyshire – Tony Davison©
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
The first modern day record (to my knowledge) of Pammene giganteana was recorded today on the upland moors above Glossop. Christian Heintzen recorded as many as 15 individuals that were attracted to the SKI/FUN lures. The last recorded date was from 1928, but undoubtedly this species is most probably well spread across the recording area,
This months Moth of the Month goes to the Spring Usher, one of the harbingers of spring. Dave Evans and Christian Heintzen were the only moth-ers to have recorded this species in February. The moth is very variable in colour, ranging from black and white to brown and orange, to a drab grey brown. Can
This months Moth of the Month goes to Nikki Mahadevan, who recorded the only macro moth species during January. It was a Dotted Border of the form fuscata. Nikki ran her 20W actinic in her garden at Shirland on 14th January. The trap produced a nil return, but the Dotted Border was discovered on a wall behind
This months Moth of the Month goes to Christian Heintzen from Glossop, who recorded a fresh example of Acleris hastiana on 31st December 2024. whilst running his final moth trap of the year at Long Clough. There are only a handful of this scarce and variable coloured tortrix species in the county. This one is
