Cloaked Minor
Mesoligia furuncula
This record describes Mesoligia furuncula (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 22-28 mm. A very variable species with a wide range of colour forms and patterns, the typical form as the forewing sharply demarcated between pale and rufous. It is commonest around sand-dunes, grassy seaside slopes and other coastal habitats, but can be found anywhere inland as well. The moths fly between August and September. Although mainly coastal it also occurs in inland areas, with a distribution throughout the British Isles. 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
- Family
- Noctuidae
- Genus
- Mesoligia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
It is commonest around sand-dunes, grassy seaside slopes and other coastal habitats, but can be found anywhere inland as well.
Seasonal Activity
The moths fly between August and September.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on grasses.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Although mainly coastal it also occurs in inland areas, with a distribution throughout the British Isles. 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 Mesoligia furuncula. 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 Cloaked Minor (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Cloaked Minor
What is Cloaked Minor?
Cloaked Minor (Mesoligia furuncula) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Cloaked Minor found?
Habitat: It is commonest around sand-dunes, grassy seaside slopes and other coastal habitats, but can be found anywhere inland as well.
When is Cloaked Minor active?
Cloaked Minor: seasonal activity - The moths fly between August and September..
What is the life cycle of a Cloaked Minor?
The larvae feed on grasses.