Chrysoteuchia culmella
This record describes Chrysoteuchia culmella (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan around 20 mm. It is easily distinguished with its one or two angled cross-lines and metallic golden fringe to the forewings. This species flies in June and July. Its normal flight time is at night, when it is attracted to light. By day it rests head-down on grass stalks and is easily disturbed. The larvae feed on the stems of various types of grasses, usually at the base. One of our commonest 'grass moths' often abundant throughout Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
Wikipedia reference for Chrysoteuchia culmella: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysoteuchia culmella.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Crambidae (Crambid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Crambinae
- Tribe
- Crambini
- Genus
- Chrysoteuchia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Grassland, rough meadows and gardens.
Seasonal Activity
This species flies in June and July. Its normal flight time is at night, when it is attracted to light. By day it rests head-down on grass stalks and is easily disturbed.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on the stems of various types of grasses, usually at the base.
Additional species information
Recorded status
One of our commonest 'grass moths' often abundant throughout Britain. 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 Chrysoteuchia culmella. 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 Chrysoteuchia culmella (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Chrysoteuchia culmella
What is Chrysoteuchia culmella?
Chrysoteuchia culmella is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Chrysoteuchia culmella found?
Habitat: Grassland, rough meadows and gardens.
When is Chrysoteuchia culmella active?
Chrysoteuchia culmella: seasonal activity - This species flies in June and July. Its normal flight time is at night, when it is attracted to light. By day it rests head-down on grass stalks and is easily disturbed..
What is the life cycle of a Chrysoteuchia culmella?
The larvae feed on the stems of various types of grasses, usually at the base.