Ash Bud Moth
Prays fraxinella
This record describes Prays fraxinella (species). Recorded family: Praydidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 14-17 mm. The typical form is distinctive and easy to recognise, less so the dark form which closely resemble Prays ruficeps. In the dark form of Prays fraxinella the markings of the standard form remain faintly visible against the dark wing colouration. The adult is on the wing from June to July although a plainer, darker form is often found into August. The larvae of this species, as the English name suggests, feed on the buds of Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) in its later stages. As a smaller larva, it mines the leaf. Quite common with records concentrated in the south and north-west of England. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
Wikipedia reference for Prays fraxinella: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prays_fraxinella.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Yponomeutoidea
- Family
- Praydidae (False Ermine Moths)
- Genus
- Prays
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Around wooded areas containing Ash.
Seasonal Activity
The adult is on the wing from June to July although a plainer, darker form is often found into August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae of this species, as the English name suggests, feed on the buds of Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) in its later stages. As a smaller larva, it mines the leaf.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Quite common with records concentrated in the south and north-west of England. 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 Prays fraxinella. 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 Ash Bud Moth (2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Ash Bud Moth
What is Ash Bud Moth?
Ash Bud Moth (Prays fraxinella) is a species in the family Praydidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Ash Bud Moth found?
Habitat: Around wooded areas containing Ash.
When is Ash Bud Moth active?
Ash Bud Moth: seasonal activity - The adult is on the wing from June to July although a plainer, darker form is often found into August..
What is the life cycle of a Ash Bud Moth?
The larvae of this species, as the English name suggests, feed on the buds of Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) in its later stages. As a smaller larva, it mines the leaf.