Calybites phasianipennella
This record describes Calybites phasianipennella (species). Recorded family: Gracillariidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 10 to 11 mm. Two forms occur, the typical one with a large dorsal streak and reduced paler markings elsewhere, and f. quadruplella with four large creamy or whitish markings. There are also intermediates. The larva mines the leaves of various plants such as Dock species, Loosestrife, Water-pepper, Redshank and Black Bindweed. An initial gallery leads to a blotch; later instars leaves the mine and feeds inside a cone-shaped leaf-roll, made by cutting a strip out of the leaf the leaf alongside the midrib. Provide backlit image of mine or photograph of leaf-roll In areas containing the larval foodplants. This species flies in September and overwinters as an adult, after which it can be found until April or May. The larval foodplants are dock, knotgrass and loosestrife. Initially, a gallery is formed, this turning into a blotch, and later two successive conical leaf rolls. Occurring locally in England, Scotland and parts of Ireland. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/C.phasianipennella.htm
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Gracillariidae
- Genus
- Calybites
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
In areas containing the larval foodplants.
Seasonal Activity
This species flies in September and overwinters as an adult, after which it can be found until April or May.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larval foodplants are dock, knotgrass and loosestrife. Initially, a gallery is formed, this turning into a blotch, and later two successive conical leaf rolls.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Occurring locally in England, Scotland and parts of Ireland. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Calybites phasianipennella. 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 Calybites phasianipennella (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Calybites phasianipennella
What is Calybites phasianipennella?
Calybites phasianipennella is a species in the family Gracillariidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Calybites phasianipennella found?
Habitat: In areas containing the larval foodplants.
When is Calybites phasianipennella active?
Calybites phasianipennella: seasonal activity - This species flies in September and overwinters as an adult, after which it can be found until April or May..
What is the life cycle of a Calybites phasianipennella?
The larval foodplants are dock, knotgrass and loosestrife. Initially, a gallery is formed, this turning into a blotch, and later two successive conical leaf rolls.