Lampronia fuscatella
This record describes Lampronia fuscatella (species). Recorded family: Prodoxidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 14-18 mm. A relatively plain blackish moth with a yellow head. Associated with Birch, and most likely to be encountered in areas where Birch is present. The larva feeds within Birch twigs (usually at a node) causing a swelling which sometimes has a small pile of red frass around the hole. A scarce and local species in Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B. No additional images available for this species.
Wikipedia reference for Lampronia fuscatella: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lampronia_fuscatella.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Prodoxidae
- Genus
- Lampronia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Associated with Birch, and most likely to be encountered in areas where Birch is present.
Seasonal Activity
It flies in May and June.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larva feeds within Birch twigs (usually at a node) causing a swelling which sometimes has a small pile of red frass around the hole.
Additional species information
Recorded status
A scarce and local species in Britain. 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 Lampronia fuscatella. 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 Lampronia fuscatella (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Lampronia fuscatella
What is Lampronia fuscatella?
Lampronia fuscatella is a species in the family Prodoxidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Lampronia fuscatella found?
Habitat: Associated with Birch, and most likely to be encountered in areas where Birch is present.
When is Lampronia fuscatella active?
Lampronia fuscatella: seasonal activity - It flies in May and June..
What is the life cycle of a Lampronia fuscatella?
The larva feeds within Birch twigs (usually at a node) causing a swelling which sometimes has a small pile of red frass around the hole.