Lunar-spotted Pinion
Cosmia pyralina
This record describes Cosmia pyralina (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 29-34 mm. This moth resembles the Lesser-spotted Pinion but has generally broader forewings and paler hindwings. Hedgerows, woodlands, parks and sometimes gardens. It flies in July and August and is attracted to light, as well as sugar. The larvae feed on Elm as well as a number of other bushes and trees. Distributed mainly in southern Britain south of Yorkshire. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Noctuidae
- Genus
- Cosmia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Hedgerows, woodlands, parks and sometimes gardens.
Seasonal Activity
It flies in July and August and is attracted to light, as well as sugar.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on Elm as well as a number of other bushes and trees.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Distributed mainly in southern Britain south of Yorkshire. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Cosmia pyralina. 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 Lunar-spotted Pinion (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Lunar-spotted Pinion
What is Lunar-spotted Pinion?
Lunar-spotted Pinion (Cosmia pyralina) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Lunar-spotted Pinion found?
Habitat: Hedgerows, woodlands, parks and sometimes gardens.
When is Lunar-spotted Pinion active?
Lunar-spotted Pinion: seasonal activity - It flies in July and August and is attracted to light, as well as sugar..
What is the life cycle of a Lunar-spotted Pinion?
The larvae feed on Elm as well as a number of other bushes and trees.