Aethes smeathmanniana
This record describes Aethes smeathmanniana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 12-19 mm. The ground colour of this moth varies from whitish to yellowish but the species differs from several related species by its narrower forewings. The 'V' shaped markings are of a rust colour. It occurs as an adult from May through to August or September. The larvae feed on the seeds of Yarrow and Knapweeds Widely distributed throughout England, Wales and Scotland. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Tortricinae
- Tribe
- Cochylini
- Genus
- Aethes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Grassy areas where Yarrow is present.
Seasonal Activity
It occurs as an adult from May through to August or September.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on the seeds of Yarrow and Knapweeds
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widely distributed throughout England, Wales and Scotland. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Aethes smeathmanniana. 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 Aethes smeathmanniana (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Aethes smeathmanniana
What is Aethes smeathmanniana?
Aethes smeathmanniana is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Aethes smeathmanniana found?
Habitat: Grassy areas where Yarrow is present.
When is Aethes smeathmanniana active?
Aethes smeathmanniana: seasonal activity - It occurs as an adult from May through to August or September..
What is the life cycle of a Aethes smeathmanniana?
The larvae feed on the seeds of Yarrow and Knapweeds