Early Grey
Xylocampa areola
This record describes Xylocampa areola (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | Wingspan 32-40 mm. |
| Forewing | Forewing ash grey, rough in texture and marbled with blackish grey. Oval and kidney mark are pale and there is an additional oval joined to the first, and also to the kidney mark in most cases. Ground colour varies with some examples being darker than others. It tends to inhabit lightly wooded areas and suburban locations. As the English name suggests, this is one of the earliest moths to emerge in the season flying from March to May and often a visitor to the garden light-trap. The yellowish-brown larvae feed on Honeysuckle. It is fairly well distributed throughout Britain, though more common in the south. 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
- Noctuidae
- Genus
- Xylocampa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
It tends to inhabit lightly wooded areas and suburban locations.
Seasonal Activity
As the English name suggests, this is one of the earliest moths to emerge in the season flying from March to May and often a visitor to the garden light-trap.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The yellowish-brown larvae feed on Honeysuckle.
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is fairly well distributed throughout Britain, though more common in the south. 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 Xylocampa areola. 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 Early Grey (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Early Grey
What is Early Grey?
Early Grey (Xylocampa areola) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Early Grey found?
Habitat: It tends to inhabit lightly wooded areas and suburban locations.
When is Early Grey active?
Early Grey: seasonal activity - As the English name suggests, this is one of the earliest moths to emerge in the season flying from March to May and often a visitor to the garden light-trap..
What is the life cycle of a Early Grey?
The yellowish-brown larvae feed on Honeysuckle.