Etainia sericopeza
This record describes Etainia sericopeza (species). Recorded family: Nepticulidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 6 to 8 mm. The adult moths, though tiny, are relatively strongly patterned for a Nepticulid. The larva mines the seeds, or samara, of Norway Maple, forming a short gallery from the wing into the seed itself. Good quality photographs required please. If recording the samara mine please state the host plant species. Adults fly in May and August, in two generations. The larva mines the seeds, or samara of Norway Maple. A rather rare species, found mainly in parts of south-east England but with a few scattered records from further north. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce A. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/E.sericopeza.htm https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/monotrysia/nepticuloidea/nepticulidae/etainia/etainia-sericopeza/
Wikipedia reference for Etainia sericopeza: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etainia sericopeza.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Nepticuloidea
- Family
- Nepticulidae (Pygmy Eye-capped Moths)
- Genus
- Etainia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Areas where Norway Maple is present.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly in May and August, in two generations.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larva mines the seeds, or samara of Norway Maple.
Additional species information
Recorded status
A rather rare species, found mainly in parts of south-east England but with a few scattered records from further north. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce A.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Etainia sericopeza. 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 Etainia sericopeza (8)
Frequently Asked Questions About Etainia sericopeza
What is Etainia sericopeza?
Etainia sericopeza is a species in the family Nepticulidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Etainia sericopeza found?
Habitat: Areas where Norway Maple is present.
When is Etainia sericopeza active?
Etainia sericopeza: seasonal activity - Adults fly in May and August, in two generations..
What is the life cycle of a Etainia sericopeza?
The larva mines the seeds, or samara of Norway Maple.