Broad-barred White
Hecatera bicolorata
This record describes Hecatera bicolorata (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 28-35 mm. Broad dark grey or blackish central band on a whitish forewing which has a straight leading edge. Its preferred habitats are down land, wasteland and suburban areas. The larvae feed on the flowers and buds of such plants as Hawk's-beards and Hawkweeds. Found throughout England and Wales, though more commonly in the south and east, it has a scattered distribution elsewhere, being local in Scotland and Ireland. 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
- Noctuidae
- Genus
- Hecatera
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Its preferred habitats are down land, wasteland and suburban areas.
Seasonal Activity
June to August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on the flowers and buds of such plants as Hawk's-beards and Hawkweeds.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Found throughout England and Wales, though more commonly in the south and east, it has a scattered distribution elsewhere, being local in Scotland and Ireland. 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 Hecatera bicolorata. 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 Broad-barred White (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Broad-barred White
What is Broad-barred White?
Broad-barred White (Hecatera bicolorata) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Broad-barred White found?
Habitat: Its preferred habitats are down land, wasteland and suburban areas.
When is Broad-barred White active?
Broad-barred White: seasonal activity - June to August..
What is the life cycle of a Broad-barred White?
The larvae feed on the flowers and buds of such plants as Hawk's-beards and Hawkweeds.