Grass Emerald
Pseudoterpna pruinata
This record describes Pseudoterpna pruinata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 30 to 35 mm. Although bright bluish-green when freshly emerged, this species fades quickly and becomes rather greyish. It occurs in open country such as heathland, moorland and commons. Fairly frequent from southern Scotland southwards. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Geometridae
- Genus
- Pseudoterpna
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
It occurs in open country such as heathland, moorland and commons.
Seasonal Activity
The adults fly in June and July.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The adults feed on gorse and broom.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly frequent from southern Scotland southwards. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Pseudoterpna pruinata. 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 Grass Emerald (4)
Frequently Asked Questions About Grass Emerald
What is Grass Emerald?
Grass Emerald (Pseudoterpna pruinata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Grass Emerald found?
Habitat: It occurs in open country such as heathland, moorland and commons.
When is Grass Emerald active?
Grass Emerald: seasonal activity - The adults fly in June and July..
What is the life cycle of a Grass Emerald?
The adults feed on gorse and broom.