Small Engrailed Moth
Ectropis crepuscularia
This record describes Ectropis crepuscularia (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. 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.
Wikipedia reference for Ectropis crepuscularia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ectropis crepuscularia.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometer Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Boarmiini
- Genus
- Ectropis (Engrailed Moths)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Frequenting woodland, gardens and other bushy habitats.
Seasonal Activity
There are two generations, flying in March and April, and then in July and August, but in the Northern parts of its range it is single-brooded, flying in April and May.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Larva feeds on the foliage of many different woody plants.
Additional species information
Recorded status
The species is common in England and Wales, less so in Scotland and Ireland.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 Ectropis crepuscularia. 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 Engrailed Moth (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Small Engrailed Moth
How big is Small Engrailed Moth?
30mm to 41mm (1.18" to 1.61")
Where is Small Engrailed Moth found?
Habitat: Frequenting woodland, gardens and other bushy habitats.
When is Small Engrailed Moth active?
Small Engrailed Moth: seasonal activity - There are two generations, flying in March and April, and then in July and August, but in the Northern parts of its range it is single-brooded, flying in April and May..
What is the life cycle of a Small Engrailed Moth?
Larva feeds on the foliage of many different woody plants.