Dingy Shell
Euchoeca nebulata
This record describes Euchoeca nebulata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 23 to 25 mm. This is an ochreous-yellow moth. Occupying damp woodland, fens and other marshy areas. The adult moths are on the wing in June and July, in a single brood. This moth is fairly commonly distributed in England and Wales, but is rare in Scotland. It is not known to occur in Ireland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Geometridae
- Genus
- Euchoeca
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Occupying damp woodland, fens and other marshy areas.
Seasonal Activity
The adult moths are on the wing in June and July, in a single brood.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on the leaves of Alder.
Additional species information
Recorded status
This moth is fairly commonly distributed in England and Wales, but is rare in Scotland. It is not known to occur in Ireland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Euchoeca nebulata. 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 Dingy Shell (8)
Frequently Asked Questions About Dingy Shell
What is Dingy Shell?
Dingy Shell (Euchoeca nebulata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Dingy Shell found?
Habitat: Occupying damp woodland, fens and other marshy areas.
When is Dingy Shell active?
Dingy Shell: seasonal activity - The adult moths are on the wing in June and July, in a single brood..
What is the life cycle of a Dingy Shell?
The larvae feed on the leaves of Alder.