Antler Moth
Cerapteryx graminis
This record describes Cerapteryx graminis (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 27-39 mm. A very distinctively marked moth. The adults fly from June to September, and fly during the day as well as at night, when they come to light. The larvae feed on various types of grasses, sometimes abundantly, and the species is well-known for its ability to devastate large tracts of grassland on high ground. Common over much of the British Isles. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Tholerini
- Genus
- Cerapteryx
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Downland, Moorland and grassy places.
Seasonal Activity
The adults fly from June to September, and fly during the day as well as at night, when they come to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on various types of grasses, sometimes abundantly, and the species is well-known for its ability to devastate large tracts of grassland on high ground.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Common over much of the British Isles. 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 Cerapteryx graminis. 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 Antler Moth (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Antler Moth
What is Antler Moth?
Antler Moth (Cerapteryx graminis) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Antler Moth found?
Habitat: Downland, Moorland and grassy places.
When is Antler Moth active?
Antler Moth: seasonal activity - The adults fly from June to September, and fly during the day as well as at night, when they come to light..
What is the life cycle of a Antler Moth?
The larvae feed on various types of grasses, sometimes abundantly, and the species is well-known for its ability to devastate large tracts of grassland on high ground.