Lesser Swallow Prominent
Pheosia gnoma
This record describes Pheosia gnoma (species). Recorded family: Notodontidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 45-50 mm. This species is very similar to Swallow Prominent ( P. tremula ) but can be identified with care. It is brown and white with a white triangular wedge near the corner of the hind wing, and it lacks the wavy white line in the blackish area of the hindwing found in P . tremula . There are two generations - on the wing in May and June and later in August. The larvae feed on Birch and overwinter as pupae underground. Fairly common moth throughout most 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
- Pheosia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Woodland, heathland, parks and gardens.
Seasonal Activity
There are two generations - on the wing in May and June and later in August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on Birch and overwinter as pupae underground.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly common moth throughout most 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 Pheosia gnoma. 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 Lesser Swallow Prominent (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Lesser Swallow Prominent
What is Lesser Swallow Prominent?
Lesser Swallow Prominent (Pheosia gnoma) is a species in the family Notodontidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Lesser Swallow Prominent found?
Habitat: Woodland, heathland, parks and gardens.
When is Lesser Swallow Prominent active?
Lesser Swallow Prominent: seasonal activity - There are two generations - on the wing in May and June and later in August..
What is the life cycle of a Lesser Swallow Prominent?
The larvae feed on Birch and overwinter as pupae underground.