Wood Leopard Moth
Zeuzera pyrina
This record describes Zeuzera pyrina (species). Recorded family: Cossidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Pattern and shape terms |
|
|---|---|
| Activity terms |
|
| Other recorded terms |
|
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 Zeuzera pyrina: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeuzera pyrina.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Cossoidea
- Family
- Cossidae (Carpenter and Leopard Moths)
- Subfamily
- Zeuzerinae
- Genus
- Zeuzera
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Associated with woodland, gardens and orchards. Though nocturnal in habits, the adults can sometimes be found resting conspicuously in the daytime.
Seasonal Activity
The adults fly during June and July
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on the wood of a variety of deciduous trees.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly frequent over the southern half of England and south Wales. 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 Zeuzera pyrina. 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 Wood Leopard Moth (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Wood Leopard Moth
How big is Wood Leopard Moth?
35mm to 60mm (1.37" to 2.36")
Where is Wood Leopard Moth found?
Habitat: Associated with woodland, gardens and orchards. Though nocturnal in habits, the adults can sometimes be found resting conspicuously in the daytime.
When is Wood Leopard Moth active?
Wood Leopard Moth: seasonal activity - The adults fly during June and July.
What is the life cycle of a Wood Leopard Moth?
The larvae feed on the wood of a variety of deciduous trees.