Citron Plume
Hellinsia carphodactyla
This record describes Hellinsia carphodactyla (species). Recorded family: Pterophoridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Frequenting chalk and limestone habitats. There are two generations, flying in June, and again in August and September. The larvae feed on the crowns and flowerheads of Ploughman's Spikenard (Inula conyzae), the second brood overwintering in the larval stage. A local species, until fairly recently restricted to a few south coastal localities, but has gradually increased its range northwards so there are now colonies in the Midlands and as far north as South Yorkshire. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Pterophoridae
- Genus
- Hellinsia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Frequenting chalk and limestone habitats.
Seasonal Activity
There are two generations, flying in June, and again in August and September.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on the crowns and flowerheads of Ploughman's Spikenard (Inula conyzae), the second brood overwintering in the larval stage.
Additional species information
Recorded status
A local species, until fairly recently restricted to a few south coastal localities, but has gradually increased its range northwards so there are now colonies in the Midlands and as far north as South Yorkshire. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Hellinsia carphodactyla. 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 Citron Plume (2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Citron Plume
What is Citron Plume?
Citron Plume (Hellinsia carphodactyla) is a species in the family Pterophoridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Citron Plume found?
Habitat: Frequenting chalk and limestone habitats.
When is Citron Plume active?
Citron Plume: seasonal activity - There are two generations, flying in June, and again in August and September..
What is the life cycle of a Citron Plume?
The larvae feed on the crowns and flowerheads of Ploughman's Spikenard (Inula conyzae), the second brood overwintering in the larval stage.