Ypsolopha sylvella
Wood Smudge
Wingspan 18 to 20 mm. It closely resembles the slightly commoner Y. alpella, so care has to be taken with identification.
Oak woods and other areas with mature Oaks.
The adult moths occur during August and September and can be attracted by light.
Foodplant is Oak.
This species is locally distributed in much of England north to Yorkshire. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded).
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
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MAP KEY:
Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020
UK Map
Species profile
- Common names
- Wood Smudge
- Species group:
- insect - moth
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Lepidoptera
- Family:
- Ypsolophidae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 8
- First record:
- 25/07/2009 (Skevington, Mark)
- Last record:
- 17/09/2025 (Poole, Adam)
Total records by month
% of records within its species group
10km squares with records
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