Satin Moth
Leucoma salicis
This record describes Leucoma salicis (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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Terms from the source record, grouped for readability. Broad terms such as size or location are not measurements or a confirmed range.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Lymantriinae
- Tribe
- Leucomini
- Genus
- Leucoma
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Particularly common in Poplar and Willow plantations, but also found in hedgerows, gardens and parks.
Seasonal Activity
July and August when it is attracted to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The colourful larvae are covered with white heart-shaped blotches, and feed on Willow and various Poplars.
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is distributed widely in England and Wales, but commonest in the south. It is also a sporadic migrant, which is thought to explain the origin of several northern records. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Leucoma salicis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Satin Moth (4)
Frequently Asked Questions About Satin Moth
How big is Satin Moth?
24mm to 50mm (0.94" to 1.96")
Where is Satin Moth found?
Habitat: Particularly common in Poplar and Willow plantations, but also found in hedgerows, gardens and parks.
When is Satin Moth active?
Satin Moth: seasonal activity - July and August when it is attracted to light..
What is the life cycle of a Satin Moth?
The colourful larvae are covered with white heart-shaped blotches, and feed on Willow and various Poplars.