Epinotia abbreviana
This record describes Epinotia abbreviana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 12 to 16 mm. E. abbreviana varies greatly in the strength of its markings and darkness of colour. Wherever Elms occur on lowland sites. During daylight, it often sits exposed on foliage or trunks. It flies in June and July at dusk and night In April, the early instar larva eats through an Elm bud. When the bud opens it reveals a highly distinctive arc of holes caused by the larva but by this time the larva has moved to a spinning made with another Elm leaf. Pupation occurs in late May or early June. Field Maple is also eaten. Fairly frequent throughout the British Isles. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Tortricidae
- Genus
- Epinotia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Wherever Elms occur on lowland sites. During daylight, it often sits exposed on foliage or trunks.
Seasonal Activity
It flies in June and July at dusk and night
Diet and Behavior
Life History
In April, the early instar larva eats through an Elm bud. When the bud opens it reveals a highly distinctive arc of holes caused by the larva but by this time the larva has moved to a spinning made with another Elm leaf. Pupation occurs in late May or early June. Field Maple is also eaten.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly frequent throughout the British Isles. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Epinotia abbreviana. 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 Epinotia abbreviana (2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Epinotia abbreviana
What is Epinotia abbreviana?
Epinotia abbreviana is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Epinotia abbreviana found?
Habitat: Wherever Elms occur on lowland sites. During daylight, it often sits exposed on foliage or trunks.
When is Epinotia abbreviana active?
Epinotia abbreviana: seasonal activity - It flies in June and July at dusk and night.
What is the life cycle of a Epinotia abbreviana?
In April, the early instar larva eats through an Elm bud. When the bud opens it reveals a highly distinctive arc of holes caused by the larva but by this time the larva has moved to a spinning made with another Elm leaf. Pupation occurs in late May or early June. Field Maple is also eaten.