Ethmia dodecea
This record describes Ethmia dodecea (species). Recorded family: Ethmiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 17 to 21 mm. This striking species bears a superficial resemblance to the 'Ermines' (Yponomeuta spp.), but the black dots are larger and fewer. The habitat preference is scrubby or chalky downland. The larvae feed on Common Gromwell (Lithospermum officinale). With a scattered distribution in England. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Ethmiidae
- Genus
- Ethmia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
The habitat preference is scrubby or chalky downland.
Seasonal Activity
The moths fly between May and July.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on Common Gromwell (Lithospermum officinale).
Additional species information
Recorded status
With a scattered distribution in England. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Ethmia dodecea. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ethmia dodecea
What is Ethmia dodecea?
Ethmia dodecea is a species in the family Ethmiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Ethmia dodecea found?
Habitat: The habitat preference is scrubby or chalky downland.
When is Ethmia dodecea active?
Ethmia dodecea: seasonal activity - The moths fly between May and July..
What is the life cycle of a Ethmia dodecea?
The larvae feed on Common Gromwell (Lithospermum officinale).