Maiden's Blush
Cyclophora punctaria
This record describes Cyclophora punctaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | Wingspan 18 to 25 mm. |
| Forewings | Forewings are tip pointed, outer edge with central bulge. Light pinkish brown or buff, speckled with dark grey scales and often flushed with pink. Central cross line largely red. Oak woodland and other areas containing Oak. Like other Cyclophora species, it has two generations - the first flying in May and June, and the second in August. Fairly common locally in the south of England, becoming scarcer further north into Scotland. 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
- Geometridae
- Genus
- Cyclophora
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Oak woodland and other areas containing Oak.
Seasonal Activity
Like other
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on the leaves of Oak.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly common locally in the south of England, becoming scarcer further north into Scotland. 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 Cyclophora punctaria. 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 Maiden's Blush (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Maiden's Blush
What is Maiden's Blush?
Maiden's Blush (Cyclophora punctaria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Maiden's Blush found?
Habitat: Oak woodland and other areas containing Oak.
When is Maiden's Blush active?
Maiden's Blush: seasonal activity - Like other.
What is the life cycle of a Maiden's Blush?
The larvae feed on the leaves of Oak.