Bordered White
Bupalus piniaria
This record describes Bupalus piniaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 28-35 mm. A sexually dimorphic species, the males having a white or yellow ground colour, bordered with black and the females a more subdued variation of the pattern, in yellowish and brown. The yellow form tends to occur in the south and the white forms further north, but there is some gradation. The larvae feed on Pine, especially Scots Pine and Corsican Pine. Found throughout Britain and can be very common in parts. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Geometridae
- Genus
- Bupalus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Favours coniferous woodland.
Seasonal Activity
May and June.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on Pine, especially Scots Pine and Corsican Pine.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Found throughout Britain and can be very common in parts. 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 Bupalus piniaria. 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 White (4)
Frequently Asked Questions About Bordered White
What is Bordered White?
Bordered White (Bupalus piniaria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Bordered White found?
Habitat: Favours coniferous woodland.
When is Bordered White active?
Bordered White: seasonal activity - May and June..
What is the life cycle of a Bordered White?
The larvae feed on Pine, especially Scots Pine and Corsican Pine.