Euzophera pinguis
This record describes Euzophera pinguis (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 23-28 mm. The diagnostic zigzag lines and bands of dark and pale colour make this species easy to identify. The adults are on the wing in July and August and are attracted to light after dark. The larvae burrow into the bark of Ash trees and can eventually kill the tree if present in numbers. Occurring mainly in the southern half of Britain where it can be frequent. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Pyralidae
- Genus
- Euzophera
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Woodland and hedgerows containing Ash.
Seasonal Activity
The adults are on the wing in July and August and are attracted to light after dark.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae burrow into the bark of Ash trees and can eventually kill the tree if present in numbers.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Occurring mainly in the southern half of Britain where it can be frequent. 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 Euzophera pinguis. 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 Euzophera pinguis (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Euzophera pinguis
What is Euzophera pinguis?
Euzophera pinguis is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Euzophera pinguis found?
Habitat: Woodland and hedgerows containing Ash.
When is Euzophera pinguis active?
Euzophera pinguis: seasonal activity - The adults are on the wing in July and August and are attracted to light after dark..
What is the life cycle of a Euzophera pinguis?
The larvae burrow into the bark of Ash trees and can eventually kill the tree if present in numbers.