Bilberry Tortrix
Aphelia viburnana
This record describes Aphelia viburnana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Length about16 mm. A rather plain looking Tortrix moth varying from brown or grey to pale yellowish in colour and with faint and rather variable markings (if any). Please retain the specimen as gen det may be required. Moorland, heathland and bogs, especially at sites where Bilberry is present. Associated with Bilberry but will use other foodplants. Although it can be quite frequent in suitable habitats it seems to be very local in distribution. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Tortricidae
- Genus
- Aphelia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Moorland, heathland and bogs, especially at sites where Bilberry is present.
Seasonal Activity
Late June to August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Associated with Bilberry but will use other foodplants.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Although it can be quite frequent in suitable habitats it seems to be very local in distribution. 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 Aphelia viburnana. 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 Bilberry Tortrix
What is Bilberry Tortrix?
Bilberry Tortrix (Aphelia viburnana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Bilberry Tortrix?
about16 mm. A rather plain looking Tortrix moth varying from brown or grey to pale yellowish in colour and with faint and rather variable markings (if any).
Where is Bilberry Tortrix found?
Habitat: Moorland, heathland and bogs, especially at sites where Bilberry is present.
When is Bilberry Tortrix active?
Bilberry Tortrix: seasonal activity - Late June to August..
What is the life cycle of a Bilberry Tortrix?
Associated with Bilberry but will use other foodplants.