Agriphila geniculea
This record describes Agriphila geniculea (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 20-25 mm. The strongly elbowed cross-lines generally serve to distinguish this moth, but on some specimens the lines are obscure. It is an inhabitant of dry, grassy areas, sand-dunes and similar locations. The larva, found from late September to early May, inhabits a flimsy silken gallery mixed with pale frass at the base of small grasses. Sometimes it leaves the gallery and is found curled tightly in a characteristic coil round a thin stem. Short fine grass species, such as Sheep's-fescue are preferred. Fairly common over much of Britain, but numbers decrease further north. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Crambidae
- Genus
- Agriphila
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
It is an inhabitant of dry, grassy areas, sand-dunes and similar locations.
Seasonal Activity
It flies from July to October.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larva, found from late September to early May, inhabits a flimsy silken gallery mixed with pale frass at the base of small grasses. Sometimes it leaves the gallery and is found curled tightly in a characteristic coil round a thin stem. Short fine grass species, such as Sheep's-fescue are preferred.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly common over much of Britain, but numbers decrease further north. 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 Agriphila geniculea. 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 Agriphila geniculea (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Agriphila geniculea
What is Agriphila geniculea?
Agriphila geniculea is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Agriphila geniculea found?
Habitat: It is an inhabitant of dry, grassy areas, sand-dunes and similar locations.
When is Agriphila geniculea active?
Agriphila geniculea: seasonal activity - It flies from July to October..
What is the life cycle of a Agriphila geniculea?
The larva, found from late September to early May, inhabits a flimsy silken gallery mixed with pale frass at the base of small grasses. Sometimes it leaves the gallery and is found curled tightly in a characteristic coil round a thin stem. Short fine grass species, such as Sheep's-fescue are preferred.