Brachmia blandella
This record describes Brachmia blandella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 11 mm. A very tiny drab brown moth, with a slightly 'tent like' posture. This species occupies habitats where its food plant, Gorse, occurs. Adults are on the wing in July and early August when they can be disturbed from large old Gorse bushes in the early evening. Overwinters as a small larva in a slight spinning on Gorse and is full fed by the start of June, or earlier, when it pupates. Widespread in Britain as far north as Yorkshire. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common. Classified as uncommon in VC55 but this species is increasing in our area and the status may need to be reviewed. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Gelechiidae
- Genus
- Brachmia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
This species occupies habitats where its food plant, Gorse, occurs.
Seasonal Activity
Adults are on the wing in July and early August when they can be disturbed from large old Gorse bushes in the early evening.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Overwinters as a small larva in a slight spinning on Gorse and is full fed by the start of June, or earlier, when it pupates.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread in Britain as far north as Yorkshire. 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 Brachmia blandella. 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 Brachmia blandella (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Brachmia blandella
What is Brachmia blandella?
Brachmia blandella is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Brachmia blandella found?
Habitat: This species occupies habitats where its food plant, Gorse, occurs.
When is Brachmia blandella active?
Brachmia blandella: seasonal activity - Adults are on the wing in July and early August when they can be disturbed from large old Gorse bushes in the early evening..
What is the life cycle of a Brachmia blandella?
Overwinters as a small larva in a slight spinning on Gorse and is full fed by the start of June, or earlier, when it pupates.