Buff-tip
Phalera bucephala
This record describes Phalera bucephala (species). Recorded family: Notodontidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
When at rest, the adults of this species bear a remarkable resemblance to a broken twig of Silver Birch. The yellow-and-black caterpillars live gregariously and feed on a number of different deciduous trees, sometimes defoliating entire branches. The species is widely distributed and quite common throughout Britain especially in the southern half. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Wikipedia reference for Phalera bucephala: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phalera bucephala.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Notodontidae (Prominent Moths)
- Subfamily
- Phalerinae
- Genus
- Phalera
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Mixed woodland.
Seasonal Activity
The adults fly in June and July.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The yellow-and-black caterpillars live gregariously and feed on a number of different deciduous trees, sometimes defoliating entire branches.
Additional species information
Recorded status
The species is widely distributed and quite common throughout Britain especially in the southern half. 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 Phalera bucephala. 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 Buff-tip (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Buff-tip
What is Buff-tip?
Buff-tip (Phalera bucephala) is a species in the family Notodontidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Buff-tip found?
Habitat: Mixed woodland.
When is Buff-tip active?
Buff-tip: seasonal activity - The adults fly in June and July..
What is the life cycle of a Buff-tip?
The yellow-and-black caterpillars live gregariously and feed on a number of different deciduous trees, sometimes defoliating entire branches.