Brindled Beauty
Lycia hirtaria
This record describes Lycia hirtaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 35 to 45 mm. Distinguished by prominent black cross lines on the wings. It prefers woodland and suburban habitats, and feeds on a range of deciduous trees. Larva feeds on various broad-leaved trees and shrubs, including Birch, Hawthorn, Alder, Willow, Oak, Elm and Lime, overwintering as a pupa. Occurring throughout a large part of Britain, this species is commonest in the south, especially the Home Counties. 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
- Lycia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
It prefers woodland and suburban habitats, and feeds on a range of deciduous trees.
Seasonal Activity
March and April.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Larva feeds on various broad-leaved trees and shrubs, including Birch, Hawthorn, Alder, Willow, Oak, Elm and Lime, overwintering as a pupa.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Occurring throughout a large part of Britain, this species is commonest in the south, especially the Home Counties. 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 Lycia hirtaria. 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 Brindled Beauty (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Brindled Beauty
What is Brindled Beauty?
Brindled Beauty (Lycia hirtaria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Brindled Beauty found?
Habitat: It prefers woodland and suburban habitats, and feeds on a range of deciduous trees.
When is Brindled Beauty active?
Brindled Beauty: seasonal activity - March and April..
What is the life cycle of a Brindled Beauty?
Larva feeds on various broad-leaved trees and shrubs, including Birch, Hawthorn, Alder, Willow, Oak, Elm and Lime, overwintering as a pupa.