Dichrorampha alpinana
This record describes Dichrorampha alpinana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan about 14mm. Dichrorampha alpinana is externally very similar to D. flavidorsana and the two species are best separated by genitalia dissection. In flower rich grassland, especially where Oxeye Daisy is present. The moths fly, often during the daytime, between June and August The larvae feed on Oxeye Daisy among the roots. It is found locally over much of the British Isles and occurs in grassy meadows and rough pasture. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Tortricidae
- Genus
- Dichrorampha
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
In flower rich grassland, especially where Oxeye Daisy is present.
Seasonal Activity
The moths fly, often during the daytime, between June and August
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on Oxeye Daisy among the roots.
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is found locally over much of the British Isles and occurs in grassy meadows and rough pasture. 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 Dichrorampha alpinana. 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 Dichrorampha alpinana (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Dichrorampha alpinana
What is Dichrorampha alpinana?
Dichrorampha alpinana is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Dichrorampha alpinana found?
Habitat: In flower rich grassland, especially where Oxeye Daisy is present.
When is Dichrorampha alpinana active?
Dichrorampha alpinana: seasonal activity - The moths fly, often during the daytime, between June and August.
What is the life cycle of a Dichrorampha alpinana?
The larvae feed on Oxeye Daisy among the roots.