Carpatolechia notatella
This record describes Carpatolechia notatella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan about 14mm. There are a number of rather similar species, and care must be taken in the identification. Occupying woods, heaths and fenland especially damper areas where willow is present. Moths are on the wing in May and June when they can be attracted to light. The larva feeds on various willows during August and September, consuming the parenchyma on the underside of the leaves. This species is fairly widely distributed across much of the British Isles, but is not particularly common. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Gelechiidae (Twirler Moths)
- Subfamily
- Gelechiinae
- Tribe
- Litini
- Genus
- Carpatolechia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Occupying woods, heaths and fenland especially damper areas where willow is present.
Seasonal Activity
Moths are on the wing in May and June when they can be attracted to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larva feeds on various willows during August and September, consuming the parenchyma on the underside of the leaves.
Additional species information
Recorded status
This species is fairly widely distributed across much of the British Isles, but is not particularly common. 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 Carpatolechia notatella. 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 Carpatolechia notatella
What is Carpatolechia notatella?
Carpatolechia notatella is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Carpatolechia notatella found?
Habitat: Occupying woods, heaths and fenland especially damper areas where willow is present.
When is Carpatolechia notatella active?
Carpatolechia notatella: seasonal activity - Moths are on the wing in May and June when they can be attracted to light..
What is the life cycle of a Carpatolechia notatella?
The larva feeds on various willows during August and September, consuming the parenchyma on the underside of the leaves.