Evergestis limbata
This record describes Evergestis limbata (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 20 to 23 mm. It is unlike any other British species and quite distinctive. A rare migrant. - Abroad, the species occurs in southern Europe, where it flies in July and August. The larvae feed, like other Evergestis species, on Brassicaceae, especially Garlic Mustard and Hedge Mustard. A rare migrant to the south coast of England first recorded in 1993. A small colony has been established now on the south east coast of England and possibly in other areas. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Crambidae
- Genus
- Evergestis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Occasionally attracted to light.
Seasonal Activity
A rare migrant. - Abroad, the species occurs in southern Europe, where it flies in July and August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed, like other Evergestis species, on Brassicaceae, especially Garlic Mustard and Hedge Mustard.
Additional species information
Recorded status
A rare migrant to the south coast of England first recorded in 1993. A small colony has been established now on the south east coast of England and possibly in other areas. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Evergestis limbata. 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 Evergestis limbata (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Evergestis limbata
What is Evergestis limbata?
Evergestis limbata is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Evergestis limbata found?
Habitat: Occasionally attracted to light.
When is Evergestis limbata active?
Evergestis limbata: seasonal activity - A rare migrant. - Abroad, the species occurs in southern Europe, where it flies in July and August..
What is the life cycle of a Evergestis limbata?
The larvae feed, like other Evergestis species, on Brassicaceae, especially Garlic Mustard and Hedge Mustard.