Hollyhock Seed Moth
Pexicopia malvella
This record describes Pexicopia malvella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
A rare species. The specimen should be retained and the County Recorder informed. The moth is on the wing from early June to mid-August. The larvae feed inside the seeds of Marsh Mallow ( Althaea officinalis ) and Hollyhock ( Althaea rosea ) overwintering in a cocoon constructed within the larval workings. Occurs locally in southern and eastern England, and is rare in South Wales. Old records from the Midlands, parts of Northern England and the Channel Islands indicate the species has undergone a range contraction which commenced in the early twentieth century. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Gelechiidae
- Genus
- Pexicopia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Where the larval foodplants occur.
Seasonal Activity
The moth is on the wing from early June to mid-August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed inside the seeds of Marsh Mallow (
Additional species information
Recorded status
Occurs locally in southern and eastern England, and is rare in South Wales. Old records from the Midlands, parts of Northern England and the Channel Islands indicate the species has undergone a range contraction which commenced in the early twentieth century. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Pexicopia malvella. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hollyhock Seed Moth
What is Hollyhock Seed Moth?
Hollyhock Seed Moth (Pexicopia malvella) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Hollyhock Seed Moth found?
Habitat: Where the larval foodplants occur.
When is Hollyhock Seed Moth active?
Hollyhock Seed Moth: seasonal activity - The moth is on the wing from early June to mid-August..
What is the life cycle of a Hollyhock Seed Moth?
The larvae feed inside the seeds of Marsh Mallow (