Green Silver-lines
Pseudoips prasinana
This record describes Pseudoips prasinana (species). Recorded family: Nolidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 30-35 mm. Another of the very few British green moths, it also has its distinctive silvery lines. Flying mainly in June and July, it is often attracted to artificial light. The short, plump caterpillar feeds in August, mostly on Oak and Birch but also on other deciduous trees. Fairly common over much of England and Wales, less common in Scotland and Ireland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Wikipedia reference for Pseudoips prasinana: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudoips prasinana.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Nolidae (Tufted Moths)
- Subfamily
- Chloephorinae
- Tribe
- Chloephorini
- Genus
- Pseudoips
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Well wooded areas
Seasonal Activity
Flying mainly in June and July, it is often attracted to artificial light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The short, plump caterpillar feeds in August, mostly on Oak and Birch but also on other deciduous trees.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly common over much of England and Wales, less common in Scotland and Ireland. 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 Pseudoips prasinana. 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 Green Silver-lines (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Green Silver-lines
What is Green Silver-lines?
Green Silver-lines (Pseudoips prasinana) is a species in the family Nolidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Green Silver-lines found?
Habitat: Well wooded areas
When is Green Silver-lines active?
Green Silver-lines: seasonal activity - Flying mainly in June and July, it is often attracted to artificial light..
What is the life cycle of a Green Silver-lines?
The short, plump caterpillar feeds in August, mostly on Oak and Birch but also on other deciduous trees.