Caloptilia betulicola
This record describes Caloptilia betulicola (species). Recorded family: Gracillariidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 14 to 16 mm. Very similar to Caloptilia elongella , both species being quite variable. Areas with plenty of Birch – the larval foodplant. There are two generations, flying in June and July, and then in September and October. The second brood overwinters as an adult and often reappears in the early spring. The larval foodplant of C. betulicola is Birch, the larva mining the leaves initially and then living inside a rolled leaf in later instars. Widespread in Britain but difficulty of identification means that is probably under recorded. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Gracillariidae
- Genus
- Caloptilia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Areas with plenty of Birch – the larval foodplant.
Seasonal Activity
There are two generations, flying in June and July, and then in September and October. The second brood overwinters as an adult and often reappears in the early spring.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larval foodplant of
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread in Britain but difficulty of identification means that is probably under recorded. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Caloptilia betulicola. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Caloptilia betulicola
What is Caloptilia betulicola?
Caloptilia betulicola is a species in the family Gracillariidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Caloptilia betulicola found?
Habitat: Areas with plenty of Birch – the larval foodplant.
When is Caloptilia betulicola active?
Caloptilia betulicola: seasonal activity - There are two generations, flying in June and July, and then in September and October. The second brood overwinters as an adult and often reappears in the early spring..
What is the life cycle of a Caloptilia betulicola?
The larval foodplant of