The Lychnis
Hadena bicruris
This record describes Hadena bicruris (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 30-40 mm. Broad forewing which is dark greyish brown, with fine quite crisp straw white markings and a dark solid square or tooth like mark. The Campion is very similar but this species usually has a pink hue to the wings. Inhabiting woodland, heathland and suburban habitats. Flies in June and July, sometimes again in August and September in the south The larvae feed on the seed capsules of various Campions and related plants, especially Red Campion. Fairly common throughout Britain and Ireland. 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
- Noctuidae
- Genus
- Hadena
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Inhabiting woodland, heathland and suburban habitats.
Seasonal Activity
Flies in June and July, sometimes again in August and September in the south
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on the seed capsules of various Campions and related plants, especially Red Campion.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly common throughout Britain and Ireland. 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 Hadena bicruris. 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 The Lychnis (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About The Lychnis
What is The Lychnis?
The Lychnis (Hadena bicruris) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is The Lychnis found?
Habitat: Inhabiting woodland, heathland and suburban habitats.
When is The Lychnis active?
The Lychnis: seasonal activity - Flies in June and July, sometimes again in August and September in the south.
What is the life cycle of a The Lychnis?
The larvae feed on the seed capsules of various Campions and related plants, especially Red Campion.