Juniper Webber
Dichomeris marginella
This record describes Dichomeris marginella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 13-17 mm. Superficially like one of the Crambinae or grass moths, this species is rather neater and more compact. Occurs in chalk and limestone districts, as well as in gardens and parks. Larvae feed on both wild and cultivated Juniper forming silken webs between the needles. Adult flies at night. It occurs in suitable habitat in much of England. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Gelechiidae (Twirler Moths)
- Subfamily
- Dichomeridinae
- Genus
- Dichomeris
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Occurs in chalk and limestone districts, as well as in gardens and parks.
Seasonal Activity
July and August, coming to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Larvae feed on both wild and cultivated Juniper forming silken webs between the needles. Adult flies at night.
Additional species information
Recorded status
It occurs in suitable habitat in much of England. 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 Dichomeris marginella. 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 Juniper Webber (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Juniper Webber
What is Juniper Webber?
Juniper Webber (Dichomeris marginella) is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Juniper Webber found?
Habitat: Occurs in chalk and limestone districts, as well as in gardens and parks.
When is Juniper Webber active?
Juniper Webber: seasonal activity - July and August, coming to light..
What is the life cycle of a Juniper Webber?
Larvae feed on both wild and cultivated Juniper forming silken webs between the needles. Adult flies at night.