Crassa tinctella

This record describes Crassa tinctella (species). Recorded family: Oecophoridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

The wingspan is 12 to 15 mm. The adult moths are rather plain, resembling Crassa unitella , but the latter has a brighter yellow tone to the head and thorax area. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the identification should be confirmed by gen det. Occurs in mature deciduous woodland habitats. Little is known of the larval stages, but it is believed to feed under decaying bark or rotting wood. A rather scarce and local species in Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B No additional images available for this species.

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Oecophoridae
Genus: Crassa

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

Habitat and Range

Habitat

Occurs in mature deciduous woodland habitats.

Seasonal Activity

Adults are on wing from May to June.

Diet and Behavior

Life History

Little is known of the larval stages, but it is believed to feed under decaying bark or rotting wood.

Additional species information

Recorded status

A rather scarce and local species in Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Crassa tinctella. 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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