Canary-shouldered Thorn
Ennomos alniaria
This record describes Ennomos alniaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 38-42 mm. Aptly named after the canary-yellow thorax, or 'shoulders'. It frequents woodland, gardens and a range of other habitats. It has a single generation which flies from July to October and is regularly attracted to artificial light. The larvae feed on a variety of deciduous trees. This is a fairly common species all over 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 (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Geometroidea
- Family
- Geometridae (Geometrid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Ennominae
- Tribe
- Ennomini
- Genus
- Ennomos
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
It frequents woodland, gardens and a range of other habitats.
Seasonal Activity
It has a single generation which flies from July to October and is regularly attracted to artificial light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on a variety of deciduous trees.
Additional species information
Recorded status
This is a fairly common species all over 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 Ennomos alniaria. 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 Canary-shouldered Thorn (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Canary-shouldered Thorn
What is Canary-shouldered Thorn?
Canary-shouldered Thorn (Ennomos alniaria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Canary-shouldered Thorn found?
Habitat: It frequents woodland, gardens and a range of other habitats.
When is Canary-shouldered Thorn active?
Canary-shouldered Thorn: seasonal activity - It has a single generation which flies from July to October and is regularly attracted to artificial light..
What is the life cycle of a Canary-shouldered Thorn?
The larvae feed on a variety of deciduous trees.