Glyphipterix fuscoviridella
This record describes Glyphipterix fuscoviridella (species). Recorded family: Glyphipterigidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 10 to16 mm. A relatively plain pale buff species with a slight metallic sheen. It occupies dry grassland habitats and flower meadows, especially where the larval foodplant is present. A day flying species that can be found on the wing in May and June. The larvae feed in the stems of wood-rush (Luzula spp.) during the early spring. Fairly frequent in England and Wales, but only extends as far north as southern Scotland. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
Wikipedia reference for Glyphipterix fuscoviridella: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glyphipterix_fuscoviridella.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Glyphipterigidae
- Genus
- Glyphipterix
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
It occupies dry grassland habitats and flower meadows, especially where the larval foodplant is present.
Seasonal Activity
A day flying species that can be found on the wing in May and June.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed in the stems of wood-rush (Luzula spp.) during the early spring.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly frequent in England and Wales, but only extends as far north as southern Scotland. 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 Glyphipterix fuscoviridella. 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 Glyphipterix fuscoviridella (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Glyphipterix fuscoviridella
What is Glyphipterix fuscoviridella?
Glyphipterix fuscoviridella is a species in the family Glyphipterigidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Glyphipterix fuscoviridella found?
Habitat: It occupies dry grassland habitats and flower meadows, especially where the larval foodplant is present.
When is Glyphipterix fuscoviridella active?
Glyphipterix fuscoviridella: seasonal activity - A day flying species that can be found on the wing in May and June..
What is the life cycle of a Glyphipterix fuscoviridella?
The larvae feed in the stems of wood-rush (Luzula spp.) during the early spring.