Cochylidia heydeniana

This record describes Cochylidia heydeniana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Cochylidia heydeniana - Cochylidia heydeniana

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. In view of the rarity of this species in our area the moth should be retained as determination by genitalia examination (gen. det.) may be required to confirm records to full species. The two generations of moths fly in April and May and again in July. The larvae feed on blue fleabane ( Erigeron acer ) and Canadian fleabane ( Conyza canadensis ), feeding either on the seeds, or in the shoots. A very local species in Britain, distributed mainly in East Anglia and southern England. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce A. No additional images available for this species.

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Tortricidae
Genus: Cochylidia

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Habitat

Dry pastures, wasteland and sand dunes.

Seasonal Activity

The two generations of moths fly in April and May and again in July.

Diet and Behavior

Life History

The larvae feed on blue fleabane (

Additional species information

Recorded status

A very local species in Britain, distributed mainly in East Anglia and southern England. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce A.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cochylidia heydeniana. 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.

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