Grey Shoulder-knot
Lithophane ornitopus
This record describes Lithophane ornitopus (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The adults emerge in September and October, and overwinter, appearing again from February to April. The caterpillars, like several other Lithophane species, have a tendency towards cannibalism. The foodplant is Oak. Found mainly in the southern part of England, Wales and Ireland. 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
- Noctuidae
- Genus
- Lithophane
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
A woodland species
Seasonal Activity
The adults emerge in September and October, and overwinter, appearing again from February to April.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The caterpillars, like several other
Additional species information
Recorded status
Found mainly in the southern part of England, Wales 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 Lithophane ornitopus. 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 Grey Shoulder-knot (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Grey Shoulder-knot
What is Grey Shoulder-knot?
Grey Shoulder-knot (Lithophane ornitopus) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Grey Shoulder-knot found?
Habitat: A woodland species
When is Grey Shoulder-knot active?
Grey Shoulder-knot: seasonal activity - The adults emerge in September and October, and overwinter, appearing again from February to April..
What is the life cycle of a Grey Shoulder-knot?
The caterpillars, like several other