The Blackneck
Lygephila pastinum
This record describes Lygephila pastinum (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 37 to 42 mm. A very narrow looking species, the back of the head and shoulders are dark brown, looking almost black. The pale wing has very fine wavy lined pencilling and a dark brown kidney mark with one or two dots beside it. In Britain, this moth has only one generation, flying in June and July, but it is double-brooded on the continent. The species overwinters as a larva, which feeds mainly on Tufted Vetch. It is locally common in the southern half of Britain, with only scattered occurrences further north. 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
- Erebidae
- Genus
- Lygephila
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Occupying woodland and marshy areas.
Seasonal Activity
In Britain, this moth has only one generation, flying in June and July, but it is double-brooded on the continent.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The species overwinters as a larva, which feeds mainly on Tufted Vetch.
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is locally common in the southern half of Britain, with only scattered occurrences further north. 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 Lygephila pastinum. 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 The Blackneck (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About The Blackneck
What is The Blackneck?
The Blackneck (Lygephila pastinum) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is The Blackneck found?
Habitat: Occupying woodland and marshy areas.
When is The Blackneck active?
The Blackneck: seasonal activity - In Britain, this moth has only one generation, flying in June and July, but it is double-brooded on the continent..
What is the life cycle of a The Blackneck?
The species overwinters as a larva, which feeds mainly on Tufted Vetch.