Dotted Border
Agriopis marginaria
This record describes Agriopis marginaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 27-32 mm. There are quite a number of variations of this species of moth, including a virtually all-dark form. The females are flightless and have only vestigial wings. The species frequents woodland, gardens and bushy places. The moths are out from February to April when the males can be attracted to light. The larvae feed on several different deciduous trees. A common species distributed widely over the British Isles. 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
- Geometridae
- Genus
- Agriopis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
The species frequents woodland, gardens and bushy places.
Seasonal Activity
The moths are out from February to April when the males can be attracted to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on several different deciduous trees.
Additional species information
Recorded status
A common species distributed widely over the British Isles. 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 Agriopis marginaria. 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 Dotted Border (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Dotted Border
What is Dotted Border?
Dotted Border (Agriopis marginaria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Dotted Border found?
Habitat: The species frequents woodland, gardens and bushy places.
When is Dotted Border active?
Dotted Border: seasonal activity - The moths are out from February to April when the males can be attracted to light..
What is the life cycle of a Dotted Border?
The larvae feed on several different deciduous trees.