Brown Silver-line
Petrophora chlorosata
This record describes Petrophora chlorosata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Woodland and upland areas where its foodplant Bracken ( Pterideum aquilinum) grows in profusion. It flies in a single generation during May and June. The species flies at dusk and into the night. It is strongly attracted to light and can often be disturbed in the daytime by walking through Bracken ( Pterideum aquilinum ). Bracken ( Pterideum aquilinum ) is the foodplant of the caterpillars, which occur from July to September. A fairly common moth over 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
- Geometridae
- Genus
- Petrophora
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Woodland and upland areas where its foodplant Bracken (
Seasonal Activity
It flies in a single generation during May and June. The species flies at dusk and into the night. It is strongly attracted to light and can often be disturbed in the daytime by walking through Bracken (
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Bracken (
Additional species information
Recorded status
A fairly common moth over 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 Petrophora chlorosata. 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 Silver-line (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Brown Silver-line
What is Brown Silver-line?
Brown Silver-line (Petrophora chlorosata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Brown Silver-line found?
Habitat: Woodland and upland areas where its foodplant Bracken (
When is Brown Silver-line active?
Brown Silver-line: seasonal activity - It flies in a single generation during May and June. The species flies at dusk and into the night. It is strongly attracted to light and can often be disturbed in the daytime by walking through Bracken (.
What is the life cycle of a Brown Silver-line?
Bracken (