Coxcomb Prominent
Ptilodon capucina
This record describes Ptilodon capucina (species). Recorded family: Notodontidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 35-40 mm. Although quite variable in shades of brown, typically this species is a rich chestnut colour with a tuft of creamy hairs on the thorax. When at rest it is well camouflaged and, if handled, feigns death. Flies in May and June and again in August. The green caterpillar feeds on a wide range of deciduous trees and has the habit of raising the head over the back when alarmed. Fairly common throughout 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
- Family
- Notodontidae
- Genus
- Ptilodon
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Woodland, scrub, parks and gardens.
Seasonal Activity
Flies in May and June and again in August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The green caterpillar feeds on a wide range of deciduous trees and has the habit of raising the head over the back when alarmed.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly common throughout 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 Ptilodon capucina. 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 Coxcomb Prominent (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Coxcomb Prominent
What is Coxcomb Prominent?
Coxcomb Prominent (Ptilodon capucina) is a species in the family Notodontidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Coxcomb Prominent found?
Habitat: Woodland, scrub, parks and gardens.
When is Coxcomb Prominent active?
Coxcomb Prominent: seasonal activity - Flies in May and June and again in August..
What is the life cycle of a Coxcomb Prominent?
The green caterpillar feeds on a wide range of deciduous trees and has the habit of raising the head over the back when alarmed.