Barred Rivulet
Perizoma bifaciata
This record describes Perizoma bifaciata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
It flies in July and August, and is attracted to light. The larvae feed mainly on the seeds of Red Bartsia. It spends the winter as a pupa, and unusually for the family, may overwinter more than once in this stage before emerging. Widely distributed over England and Wales, though usually local, it is scarce in southern Scotland and Ireland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Geometridae
- Genus
- Perizoma
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Where the larval foodplant is present.
Seasonal Activity
It flies in July and August, and is attracted to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed mainly on the seeds of Red Bartsia. It spends the winter as a pupa, and unusually for the family, may overwinter more than once in this stage before emerging.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widely distributed over England and Wales, though usually local, it is scarce in southern Scotland and Ireland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Perizoma bifaciata. 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 Barred Rivulet (5)
Frequently Asked Questions About Barred Rivulet
What is Barred Rivulet?
Barred Rivulet (Perizoma bifaciata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Barred Rivulet found?
Habitat: Where the larval foodplant is present.
When is Barred Rivulet active?
Barred Rivulet: seasonal activity - It flies in July and August, and is attracted to light..
What is the life cycle of a Barred Rivulet?
The larvae feed mainly on the seeds of Red Bartsia. It spends the winter as a pupa, and unusually for the family, may overwinter more than once in this stage before emerging.