Iron Prominent
Notodonta dromedarius
This record describes Notodonta dromedarius (species). Recorded family: Notodontidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 35-40 mm. Specimens from the more northern parts of its range tend to be darker, with less orange and yellow. Broad-leaved woodland, heathland, river banks and sometimes gardens. Except in the north, there are two broods, flying in May and June, and again in August. The single northern brood appears in June and July. The caterpillar, in common with many of the 'Prominents', has several humps on the back. It lives mainly on Birch. A fairly common species throughout much of 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
- Notodontidae
- Genus
- Notodonta
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Broad-leaved woodland, heathland, river banks and sometimes gardens.
Seasonal Activity
Except in the north, there are two broods, flying in May and June, and again in August. The single northern brood appears in June and July.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The caterpillar, in common with many of the 'Prominents', has several humps on the back. It lives mainly on Birch.
Additional species information
Recorded status
A fairly common species throughout much of 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 Notodonta dromedarius. 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 Iron Prominent (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Iron Prominent
What is Iron Prominent?
Iron Prominent (Notodonta dromedarius) is a species in the family Notodontidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Iron Prominent found?
Habitat: Broad-leaved woodland, heathland, river banks and sometimes gardens.
When is Iron Prominent active?
Iron Prominent: seasonal activity - Except in the north, there are two broods, flying in May and June, and again in August. The single northern brood appears in June and July..
What is the life cycle of a Iron Prominent?
The caterpillar, in common with many of the 'Prominents', has several humps on the back. It lives mainly on Birch.