Brown-line Bright-eye
Mythimna conigera
This record describes Mythimna conigera (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 30 to 35 mm. The wings have a conspicuous tear shaped white mark and brown cross-lines and veins near the outer edge. The adults fly in June and July from dusk. The larvae are nocturnal and feed on grasses, particularly Cock's-foot and Common Couch. Fairly common in much of Britain. 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
- Mythimna
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Seasonal Activity
The adults fly in June and July from dusk.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae are nocturnal and feed on grasses, particularly Cock's-foot and Common Couch.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly common in much of Britain. 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 Mythimna conigera. 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 Brown-line Bright-eye (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Brown-line Bright-eye
What is Brown-line Bright-eye?
Brown-line Bright-eye (Mythimna conigera) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
When is Brown-line Bright-eye active?
Brown-line Bright-eye: seasonal activity - The adults fly in June and July from dusk..
What is the life cycle of a Brown-line Bright-eye?
The larvae are nocturnal and feed on grasses, particularly Cock's-foot and Common Couch.