Marbled White Spot
Protodeltote pygarga
This record describes Protodeltote pygarga (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The adults are on the wing in a single generation from May to July. The caterpillars feed during the autumn on a number of grasses, including Purple Moor-grass Distributed mainly in the southern half of England and parts of North Wales. 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
- Protodeltote
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Acid heaths and damp woodland habitats.
Seasonal Activity
The adults are on the wing in a single generation from May to July.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The caterpillars feed during the autumn on a number of grasses, including Purple Moor-grass
Additional species information
Recorded status
Distributed mainly in the southern half of England and parts of North Wales. 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 Protodeltote pygarga. 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 Marbled White Spot (7)
Frequently Asked Questions About Marbled White Spot
What is Marbled White Spot?
Marbled White Spot (Protodeltote pygarga) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Marbled White Spot found?
Habitat: Acid heaths and damp woodland habitats.
When is Marbled White Spot active?
Marbled White Spot: seasonal activity - The adults are on the wing in a single generation from May to July..
What is the life cycle of a Marbled White Spot?
The caterpillars feed during the autumn on a number of grasses, including Purple Moor-grass