Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua

Small Mottled Willow Spodoptera exigua (Hübner, 1808)
Status .....A common migrant to southern areas of the UK, but much rarer inland. In Nottinghamshire, Small Mottled Willow tends to be recorded only during good migrant years such as in 2006, when there were records from Broadholme (multiple records), Kirton Wood, West Burton Power Station, Keyworth and Lound Wood at Eakring. 2015 produced more records, again including multiple records from Broadholme, with singles from Misterton Soss and the Idle Valley NR. The most recent county records are from Hollyside September 17th 2017, Rampton August 3rd 2018, Elkesley September 6th 2024, Newthorpe September 8th 2024. Latest 2025 records include single moths at Stanton-on-the-Wolds June 30th, Misterton July 4th, Broadholme July 29th, East Bridgford on August 7th, singles at South Muskham on August 9th and 11th and two at Lound Wood on August 10th.
......
Photographed at Lound Wood August 2025

......
Photographed at the Idle Valley NR August 2015

......
Photographed at Lound Wood September 17th 2006

The records for the Nottinghamshire distribution map are currently provided by the following contributors - Trevor and Dilys Pendleton. Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. Lound Moth Group. Sheila Wright (Nottinghamshire macro moth reports 2003-2012). Sheila Wright (Nottinghamshire macro moth report 2015). Martin Gray. Sheila Wright (Nottinghamshire macro moth report 2018). Ian Viles (per Nottinghamshire Moths and Butterflies Facebook Group). Paul Coombes (per Nottinghamshire Moths and Butterflies Facebook Group). Neil Pinder. Nottinghamshire Moths and Butterflies Facebook Group.

You can contribute your own records to help us gain an accurate status of this species in Nottinghamshire. Send an Excel spreadsheet of your records via the 'contact us' link at the top of the homepage.

Updated August 2025


Nottinghamshire (VC56) distribution of Small Mottled Willow