The Forester
Adscita statices
This record describes Adscita statices (species). Recorded family: Zygaenidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 25 to 28 mm. This shiny emerald green coloured moth can be separated by its larger wingspan from the similar Cistus Forester ( Adscita geryon ), which only occurs in limestone districts where rock-rose grows. A good photograph is generally required to support your record. Meadows where the larval foodplant is present. A day-flying species, it flies in sunshine during June and July. The larva initially mines a leaf of Common Sorrel ( Rumex acetosa ) in July and August, and then feeds externally on lower leaves until May, when it pupates in a cocoon near the ground among vegetation. The Forester is the commonest of the genus in Britain. It is widespread but absent over wide areas. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
Wikipedia reference for Adscita statices: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adscita statices.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Zygaenoidea
- Family
- Zygaenidae (Burnet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Procridinae
- Tribe
- Procridini
- Genus
- Adscita
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Meadows where the larval foodplant is present.
Seasonal Activity
A day-flying species, it flies in sunshine during June and July.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larva initially mines a leaf of Common Sorrel (
Additional species information
Recorded status
The Forester is the commonest of the genus in Britain. It is widespread but absent over wide areas. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Adscita statices. 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 The Forester (5)
Frequently Asked Questions About The Forester
What is The Forester?
The Forester (Adscita statices) is a species in the family Zygaenidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is The Forester found?
Habitat: Meadows where the larval foodplant is present.
When is The Forester active?
The Forester: seasonal activity - A day-flying species, it flies in sunshine during June and July..
What is the life cycle of a The Forester?
The larva initially mines a leaf of Common Sorrel (