Ingrailed Clay
Diarsia mendica
This record describes Diarsia mendica (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 28-35 mm. A highly variable species, ranging from rather pale individuals in the south, to much darker ones in Scotland, with some island variants in Orkney and Shetland being afforded subspecies status. Flying in a single generation from June and July. The caterpillars hibernate and feed in the spring on a variety of shrubs and plants, including Bramble and Bilberry It is common throughout Britain. 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
- Diarsia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Well wooded areas and moorland.
Seasonal Activity
Flying in a single generation from June and July.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The caterpillars hibernate and feed in the spring on a variety of shrubs and plants, including Bramble and Bilberry
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is common throughout Britain. 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 Diarsia mendica. 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 Ingrailed Clay (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Ingrailed Clay
What is Ingrailed Clay?
Ingrailed Clay (Diarsia mendica) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Ingrailed Clay found?
Habitat: Well wooded areas and moorland.
When is Ingrailed Clay active?
Ingrailed Clay: seasonal activity - Flying in a single generation from June and July..
What is the life cycle of a Ingrailed Clay?
The caterpillars hibernate and feed in the spring on a variety of shrubs and plants, including Bramble and Bilberry