Chimney Sweeper - Odezia atrata

Description

Wingspan 23-27 mm. It is completely black except for the white fringes at the tips of the forewings.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

It inhabits grassy meadows, dry chalky and limestone districts.

When to see it

This unusual species flies in the daytime and prefers bright sunshine. The single generation flies in June and July.

Life History

The larvae feed mainly on the flowers of Pignut.

UK Status

Distributed throughout most of Britain and can be plentiful in some locations. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.

VC55 Status

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = A (common and resident)

Reference
70.130 BF1870

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Chimney Sweep, Chimney Sweeper
Species group:
Moths
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Geometridae
Records on NatureSpot:
177
First record:
01/06/1948 (Wesley, Isaac)
Last record:
25/06/2025 (Bell, Melinda)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records