Barred Umber
Plagodis pulveraria
This record describes Plagodis pulveraria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 28 to 33 mm. This is a very distinctively marked species although the brown may vary in shade from red brown to a more chocolate colour. There is one generation, with the adults flying in May and June. The larvae feed on a variety of deciduous trees, such as oak, birch and willow. This moth occurs over a large part of the British Isles, but is not common anywhere. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Anagogini
- Genus
- Plagodis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
A woodland species.
Seasonal Activity
There is one generation, with the adults flying in May and June.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on a variety of deciduous trees, such as oak, birch and willow.
Additional species information
Recorded status
This moth occurs over a large part of the British Isles, but is not common anywhere. 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 Plagodis pulveraria. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Barred Umber
What is Barred Umber?
Barred Umber (Plagodis pulveraria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Barred Umber found?
Habitat: A woodland species.
When is Barred Umber active?
Barred Umber: seasonal activity - There is one generation, with the adults flying in May and June..
What is the life cycle of a Barred Umber?
The larvae feed on a variety of deciduous trees, such as oak, birch and willow.