Epinotia nisella
This record describes Epinotia nisella (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 12 to17 mm. This is a very variable species. There are many variations, though one of the more distinctive is f. decorana , which shows an orange area over the mid-part of the forewing. In areas where the larval foodplant is common. The larvae feed on Willow and Poplar during the spring. Widely distributed and fairly common throughout Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Olethreutinae
- Tribe
- Eucosmini
- Genus
- Epinotia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
In areas where the larval foodplant is common.
Seasonal Activity
Adults emerge in July and August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on Willow and Poplar during the spring.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widely distributed and fairly common throughout Britain. 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 nisella. 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 nisella (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Epinotia nisella
What is Epinotia nisella?
Epinotia nisella is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Epinotia nisella found?
Habitat: In areas where the larval foodplant is common.
When is Epinotia nisella active?
Epinotia nisella: seasonal activity - Adults emerge in July and August..
What is the life cycle of a Epinotia nisella?
The larvae feed on Willow and Poplar during the spring.