Brown Scallop
Philereme vetulata
This record describes Philereme vetulata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 24 to 30 mm. A relatively indistinctly-marked species, which has scalloped edges to both fore and hindwings, but more noticeably on the hindwings. The moths fly during July, and occasionally come to light. The caterpillar is dark grey with paler stripes and orange suffusion. It feeds in spun leaves of Buckthorn. It is distributed throughout England, though scarcer in the more central parts and south-west. It is rare in Wales and Ireland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Geometridae
- Genus
- Philereme
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Occupying mostly calcareous soils.
Seasonal Activity
The moths fly during July, and occasionally come to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The caterpillar is dark grey with paler stripes and orange suffusion. It feeds in spun leaves of Buckthorn.
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is distributed throughout England, though scarcer in the more central parts and south-west. It is rare in Wales and Ireland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Philereme vetulata. 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 Scallop (6)
Frequently Asked Questions About Brown Scallop
What is Brown Scallop?
Brown Scallop (Philereme vetulata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Brown Scallop found?
Habitat: Occupying mostly calcareous soils.
When is Brown Scallop active?
Brown Scallop: seasonal activity - The moths fly during July, and occasionally come to light..
What is the life cycle of a Brown Scallop?
The caterpillar is dark grey with paler stripes and orange suffusion. It feeds in spun leaves of Buckthorn.