Depressaria ultimella
This record describes Depressaria ultimella (species). Recorded family: Depressariidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 16 to 21 mm. The adults are similar to D. daucella but the larval stages are quite different. Wet places, often near ditches and small streams. The flight period is from August, overwintering and reappearing the following spring. The main larval foodplant is Fool's Water-cress. This species occurs locally in much of England, also occurring in Wales and southern Ireland. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Depressariidae
- Genus
- Depressaria
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Wet places, often near ditches and small streams.
Seasonal Activity
The flight period is from August, overwintering and reappearing the following spring.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The main larval foodplant is Fool's Water-cress.
Additional species information
Recorded status
This species occurs locally in much of England, also occurring in Wales and southern Ireland. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Depressaria ultimella. 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 Depressaria ultimella (5)
Frequently Asked Questions About Depressaria ultimella
What is Depressaria ultimella?
Depressaria ultimella is a species in the family Depressariidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Depressaria ultimella found?
Habitat: Wet places, often near ditches and small streams.
When is Depressaria ultimella active?
Depressaria ultimella: seasonal activity - The flight period is from August, overwintering and reappearing the following spring..
What is the life cycle of a Depressaria ultimella?
The main larval foodplant is Fool's Water-cress.