Small Clouded Brindle Moth
Apamea unanimis
This record describes Apamea unanimis (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. 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
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Apameini
- Genus
- Apamea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Inhabiting marshes, fens and similar damp habitats.
Seasonal Activity
The adults are on the wing in June and July and occasionally come to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larva feeds on grasses, including Reed Canary-grass but, unlike its close relatives, feeds up before winter and hibernates before pupating in the spring.
Additional species information
Recorded status
This species is widespread in most of Britain, including southern Scotland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Apamea unanimis. 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 Small Clouded Brindle Moth (2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Small Clouded Brindle Moth
How big is Small Clouded Brindle Moth?
30mm to 38mm (1.18" to 1.49")
Where is Small Clouded Brindle Moth found?
Habitat: Inhabiting marshes, fens and similar damp habitats.
When is Small Clouded Brindle Moth active?
Small Clouded Brindle Moth: seasonal activity - The adults are on the wing in June and July and occasionally come to light..
What is the life cycle of a Small Clouded Brindle Moth?
The larva feeds on grasses, including Reed Canary-grass but, unlike its close relatives, feeds up before winter and hibernates before pupating in the spring.