Moth News Bulletins

Derbyshire Moth News October 2025Download

I ran my 20w Actinic moth trap from my garden in Melbourne, Derbyshire on 2nd November for just over five hours and recorded a single Brick. A new species for the year so not a waste of time. A well worn individual. The Brick – 2/11/2025 – Tony Davison©

There are huge gaps in the knowledge of leaf mines in Derbyshire and there are plenty of opportunities to discover new locations and new leaf mines for the vice-county. I’m gradually gaining more of an interest in this fascinating side of moths. There is also a new language to learn, such as frass, tenanted and un-tenanted, ...

I ran my 20w Actinic moth trap in my Melbourne garden overnight on 17th October 2025. Results are as follows in no particular order – Red-line Quaker (1); Black Rustic (5), Turnip Moth (3), Shuttle-shaped Dart (2), Beaded Chestnut (1), Large Yellow Underwing (1), Epiphyas postvittana (Light-brown Apple Moth) (3), Carcina Quercana (1). 17/8 Red-line Quaker ...

A Guide to Moth-ingDownload

Epirrita_octaval_method_v8Download

There have been two new and confirmed species of moth for Derbyshire and VC57 during this week commencing 6th October 2025. First of all a Macro Moth, Dotted Border Wave which was recorded from a garden moth trap at Dronfield Woodhouse on 7th August 2020 by Andrew Williamson. It was discovered whilst I was verifying ...

IDENTIFICATION GUIDANCE NOTES ON EPIRRITA GROUPDownload

Derbyshire Moth News September 2025 Download The September 2025 Moth News for Derbyshire features all the Derbyshire moth highlights during the month, a new species of Leaf Miner Phyllocnistis xenia, a feature on the DaNES Open Day and a feature on the NBN Awards, as the Derbyshire Moth Recording Team are finalists, plus lots more.

The leaf mine of Phyllocnistis xenia (Kent Maze-miner) has been discovered by Marion Bryce on the Erewash Canal on 17th September 2025. This is a first record for the VC57 Derbyshire of this species that was first discovered in Britain during 1974 from East Kent. The moth has been expanding its range progressively northwards. The species ...

Derbyshire Moth News August 2025Download The August 2025 Moth News Bulletin features all the Derbyshire moth highlights during the month, a new species Evergestis extimalis, an ID feature on Campion v Lychnis, latest migrants and much more.

Finalists of the NBN Group Award 2025 During January 2025, the National Biodiversity Network Trust opened their 2025 Awards for Wildlife Recording. The Joint Derbyshire Moths Verification and Recording Team decided to put forward our application for the Group Award section. Out of a total of 45 nominations, 28 individuals and organisations were shortlisted. On behalf of the ...

Mid August saw a number of rare migrants recorded in Derbyshire. An influx of Scrobipalpa oceelata (Beet Moth) during the month,  the 3rd and 4th records of Ni Moth, one Allestree 15th (Stephen Plant) and one 20th Cromford (Clive Ashton). A Dark Sword-grass 20th Belper (Dave Evans), Bordered Straw 18th Belper (Dave Newcombe), Palpita Vitrealis ...

Sam Goddard discovered the Leaf Mines of Phyllonorycter companella (Poplar Leaf-miner) on White Polar at Alvaston Park, Derby on 18th August 2025. This find represents a first record of this species for VC57 Derbyshire of this Nationally Scarce A species.  Phyllonorycter comparella – 18th August 2025 – Alvaston Park, Derby – Sam Goddard

Nikki Mahadevan recorded a new micro moth for the VC57 Derbyshire recording area overnight on 13th August 2025. An adult Evergestis extimalis (Marbled Yellow Pearl) was attracted to her garden light trap at Shirland. This is a species that seems to be confined to certain areas of the south and south east of England, stretching ...

Derbyshire Moth News July 2025Download The July 2025 Moth News Bulletin features all the Derbyshire moth highlights during the month, with four county first records (3 micros & 1 Macro). A bumper month of moth-ing to say the least.

The second record of Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar) was discovered by Adrian Watson at Littleover, Derby, when he emptied his overnight moth trap on 1st/2nd August 2025. An excellent record and following “hot on the heels” of the first county record from August 2024.  Gypsy Moth – 1st August 2025 – Littleover – Adrian Watson Gypsy Moth ...

My good friend Will Soar called me this afternoon to say he had trapped a few good moths overnight (27th July 2025) from his garden light trap at Kings Newton, recording 254/63. Sure enough one of the micros was a first record since 1987 and Small Mottled Willow is a rare migrant in Derbyshire, with ...

Christian Heintzen has put together this fantastic plate showing the amazing range of patterns, markings and colours of the July Highflier – Hydriomena furcata , making it one, if not, the most variable of moth species. On 14th July he recorded 137 from his moth traps in Glossop providing him with the ideal opportunity to ...

The first record of Dark Crimson Underwing for VC57 Derbyshire was recorded by Nikki Mahadevan, when she trapped one in her Shirland garden on 11th August 2023. It was a remarkable record of a species that is confined to the New Forest, so the likely hood of it being a wandering migrant was highly likely. ...

 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. Brindled White Spot 2nd VC57 record – Dave Evans©

Derbyshire Moth News June 2025Download The June 2025 Moth News Bulletin features all the Derbyshire moth highlights during the month, with two first records of micros and a new species of macro moth for the VC57 recording area and a list of all the 35 records of migrants that were recorded in the county during June ...

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.  Grapholita lobarzewskii – 21st June 2025 – 1st VC57 record – Norton Lees – Pete Mella

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 2010 when one was trapped in Buxton. In recent times there are very few modern day records from Derbyshire of this attractive macro moth.  The moths ...

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 ...

25 May 2025 – Derbyshire Moth NewsDownload The May 2025 News Letter features all the Derbyshire moth highlights during the month, with two first records of micros for Derbyshire, the 2nd record of Square Spot and numerous interesting micro moth records. A fully packed month of moths.

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.  Cypress-Carpet-Thera-cupressata-Kings Newton-3rd May 2025 – Will Soar – 3rd VC57 record

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 ...

24 April 2025 – Derbyshire Moth Bulletin Version 2Download The April 2025 News Letter features all the Derbyshire moth highlights during the month, the 2nd and 3rd records of Blossom Underwing, 2nd record of Caloptilia cuculipennella and updates on the Derbyshiremoths website. A fully packed month of moths.

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. Square Spot – 1st May 2025 – Cromford ...

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 species.  Depressaria ...

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. Waved Umber – Tony Davison© Brindled Pug – Tony Davison© Shuttle-shaped Dart – Tony Davison© Shuttle-shaped ...

I ran my 20w UV Skinner Type moth trap overnight from my Melbourne garden. Results were – Lunar Marbler Brown (1); Early Thorn (1); Purple Thorn (2); Muslin Moth (1); Common Quaker (3); Small Quaker (2); Red Chestnut (1); Double-striped Pug (1) Common Pug (1) (an early one); Brindled Beauty (1); Flame Shoulder (1); Red-green ...

I ran my garden light trap, a 20w UV Skinner type, in Melbourne, Derbyshire overnight on 8th April 2025. Results were Early Thorn (2) (NFY); Hebrew Character (3) and Eudonia angustea (1) (NFY): Early Thorn – 8/4/2025 – Melbourne, Tony Davison© Early Thorn – 8/4/2025 – Melbourne, Tony Davison© Early Thorn – 8/4/2025 – Melbourne, Tony Davison© Eudonia angustea ...

I spent yesterday (7th April) afternoon with one of our recording team members and local Moth-er Christian Heintzen, he took me around his local patch near Glossop, on the moors and at a local woodland, in search of Emperor Moth and a micro moth called Pammene giganteana, (Early Oak Gall Moth) both of which were ...

Derbyshire Moth News – March 2025Download The March 2025 News Letter features all the Derbyshire moth highlights during the month, and a new species of micro moth for the recording area Caloptilia falconipennella

The late Dave Budworth (who was the CMR for Derbyshire at the time) recorded the first Blossom Underwing on 2nd April 2021 from his garden in Swadlincote. Almost 4 years to the day, and incredibly after I had mentioned to look out for this species amongst Common Quakers, Clive Ashton attracted the 2nd to his ...

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, ...

I ran my 20wUV Skinner Type Moth trap overnight in my Melbourne garden on 31st March 2025 – results are as follows: Agonopterix arenella -NFY (1); Brindled Beauty -NFY (3); Double-striped Pug -NFY (1); Clouded Drab -NFY (3); Common Quaker (14); Hebrew Character (3) Brindled Beauty – Tony Davison© Brindled Beauty – Tony Davison© Brindled Beauty – Tony ...

A new micro moth species has been recorded for the VC57 & Derbyshire, a Caloptilia falconipennella – Dark Alder Stilt. It was attracted to a MVLight Trap on 24th March 2025 at Long Clough NR, Glossop and recorded by Christian Heintzen. A rare species and one that over winters and is on the wing in early ...

Christian Heintzen recorded his first male Emperor Moth of the year today (24th March 2025) on the moors near Glossop. The moth came to EMP Lure and settled in the heather. A stunning moth and the season for them has only just started. This appears to be the first one for the VC57 of the ...

Clive Ashton recorded a Dark Sword-grass from his overnight garden moth trap  in Cromford, 20th March 2025 – A very early record of this species in the county and almost certainly a migrant. Cromford – 20th March 2025 – Clive Ashton©

One of our verifiers accepted a record of 39.005 – Chrysoclista linneella (Lime Flame) from Matlock 23/6/2024, that was submitted to iRecord. At the time it was thought to be the first account of this species since 1863. Whilst I was updating species pages, I discovered two previous records that have recently been submitted to ...

22 February 2025 – Derbyshire Moth Bulletin.Rev2 Download The February 2025 bulletin features all the Derbyshire moth highlights during the month, some interesting records of a variety of Leaf Mines and an ID plate on the melanic forms of Dotted Border and Pale Brindled Beauty.

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 ...

Verification and Guidelines for Leaf Miners REV1Download

21 January 2025 – Derbyshire Moth BulletinDownload The first bulletin for 2025. The January bulletin features all the Derbyshire moth highlights for 2024, the release of the Derbyshire Macro Moth Report for 2019-2023, and an article by Steve Nash on his list of migrant moths from his Cornish garden in 2024.

Tiger Moths_3Download A paper on the Tiger Moths by Steve Mathers

20 December 2024- Derbyshire Moth BulletinDownload The December bulletin features all the Derbyshire moth highlights, the release of the Derbyshire Macro Moth Report for 2019-2023, an article on the Sloe Pug by Archie Braddock

The VC57 Derbyshire Macro Moth Report 2019-2023

19 November 2024- Derbyshire Moth BulletinDownload The November bulletin features all the Derbyshire moth highlights, the release of the Derbyshire Macro Moth Report for 2019-2023, the discovery of The Gem and The Delicate and the 3rd VC57 record of Acleris logiana.

18 October 2024- Derbyshire Moth BulletinDownload The October 2024 Bulletin features all the Derbyshire moth highlights, a new macro moth species for the VC57 & Derbyshire. Unprecedented influx of Palpita Vitrealis, and much more

17 September 20 24- Derbyshire Moth BulletinDownload The September 2024 Bulletin features all the Derbyshire moth highlights, announcement of the new Derbyshire Moths Website, moths of the month.

The Pugs of Derbyshire – A Simple Identification GuideDownload A simple Identification Guide to the Pug Moths of Derbyshire – Edited by Tony Davison, Dave Evans & Steve Thorpe

In June 2003 I launched my personal website www.simplybirdsandmoths.co.uk. as a place to show-case my wildlife photography. I also wanted to start and create a central data base for Derbyshire Moths, which was another avid interest of mine; this was something that didn’t exist at the time. Over the years my personal website has grown tremendously, ...

16 August 24- Derbyshire Moth BulletinDownload The August 2024 Bulletin features all the Derbyshire moth highlights, moths of the month

I ran my usual garden light trap overnight on 27th August 2024 in Melbourne, South Derbyshire. Whilst processing the trap on the morning of 28th August I discovered an unfamiliar Olethreutinae species. I managed to pot it and put it to one side for viewing later. I had a second Olethruetinae species, this time one ...

15 July 24- Derbyshire Moth BulletinDownload The July 2024 Bulletin features all the Derbyshire moth highlights, how to access the Macro & Micro Moth Checklists, Verification guide criteria and Moth of the Month – The Lunar Hornet.

derbys_moth_recordingDownload This document explains what you should do with your moth records

June 24- Derbyshire Moth BulletinDownload The June 2024 Bulletin features all the Derbyshire moth highlights and a document that explains recommended aggregate species when entering records to iRecord. News update on the forth coming 5 Year Derbyshire Marco Moth Report.

May 24- Derbyshire Moth BulletinDownload The May 2024 Bulletin features a new species for Derbyshire and VC57, the Brindled White Spot. An article on Currant Clearwing and a superb ID Guide on selected Diarsia species by Christian Heintzen. Plus all the latest May Moth News.

12 – April 24- Derbyshire Moth BulletinDownload The April 2024 Bulletin features two new species, the Dotted Chestnut, new for Derbyshire and the Treble Brown Spot, new for the VC57 and for Derbyshire. Plus all the latest April Moth News.

March 24- Derbyshire Moth BulletinDownload The March 2024 Bulletin features an official announcement with regards to the way forward with Derbyshire Moth Records. An excellent ID photo panel on Dusky Brocade & The Confused. Plus all the latest March Moth News.

February 24- Derbyshire Moth Bulletin copyDownload The February 2024 Bulletin features an article on the migrant moths that arrived in Britain during the month. An article on photography tips for photographing micro moths and moth highlights from our Derbyshire moth recorders.

January 24- Derbyshire Moth BulletinDownload The January 2024 Bulletin covering Derbyshire Moth News. A feature on the introduction to Leaf Miners. Two new species of moth to VC57 and info relating to the status and future recording of Deep Brown Dart.

MOTH HIGHLGHTS 2023Download A report on the Moth highlights in Derbyshire during 2023

December 23 – Derbyshire Moth BulletinDownload Latest Moth News for December includes an interesting article by one of the County’s young up and coming Moth Recorders. The December round-up . News update on latest situation re county Moth Recorder.

NOVEMBER TEMPLATE MOTH NEWS BULLETIN copyDownload Latest Moth News for November includes Moth of the Month, the December Moth. The fourth of a series of ID Guides – Chestnut v Dark Chestnut . News update on latest situation re county Moth Recorder.

OCTOBER-TEMPLATE-MOTH-NEWS-BULLETINDownload Latest Moth News for October includes the Merveille du Jour, two more Scarce Bordered Straw, and a range of superb autumnal species. The third of a series of ID Guides – White-point v The Clay.

SEPTEMBER MOTH NEWS BULLETINDownload Latest Moth News for September includes unprecidented records of Clifden Nonpareil and a Scarce Bordered Straw, the first since 2022. The second of a series of ID Guides – The Copper Underwings

AUGUST MOTH NEWS BULLETINDownload Latest Moth News for August includes two records of Dewick’s Plusia and first of a series of ID Guides

Derbyshire Moth News Bulletin July 2023Download Latest Moth News for July includes the Dark Red Underwing a first record for the county.

Derbyshire-Moth-News-Bulletin-June-2023Download Latest moth news for June, includes the Rannoch Looper influx. A new geometrid moth species for Derbyshire. Also Pretty Chalk Carpet in a garden moth trap in Belper.

Derbyshire-Moth-News-Bulletin-May-2023Download The first edition of a monthly news bulletin on the moths of Derbyshire, in conjunction with the Derbyshire Moths Facebook Group.