Bordered Beauty
Epione repandaria
This record describes Epione repandaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 25-30 mm. This orange and purplish species gets its name from the broad, dark border that runs around the bottom of the wings. Inhabits moist woodland, fens and other marshy places. The single generation flies from July to September and is attracted to light. The species overwinters in the egg stage, the larvae hatching in May and feeding on Willow. Reasonably commonly distributed in England and Wales but scarcer in Scotland and Ireland although may be increasing in these areas. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Geometridae
- Genus
- Epione
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Inhabits moist woodland, fens and other marshy places.
Seasonal Activity
The single generation flies from July to September and is attracted to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The species overwinters in the egg stage, the larvae hatching in May and feeding on Willow.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Reasonably commonly distributed in England and Wales but scarcer in Scotland and Ireland although may be increasing in these areas. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Epione repandaria. 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 Bordered Beauty (6)
Frequently Asked Questions About Bordered Beauty
What is Bordered Beauty?
Bordered Beauty (Epione repandaria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Bordered Beauty found?
Habitat: Inhabits moist woodland, fens and other marshy places.
When is Bordered Beauty active?
Bordered Beauty: seasonal activity - The single generation flies from July to September and is attracted to light..
What is the life cycle of a Bordered Beauty?
The species overwinters in the egg stage, the larvae hatching in May and feeding on Willow.