The Miller (Moth)
Acronicta leporina
This record describes Acronicta leporina (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 35-45 mm. Another variable species, the whitest forms occurring in parts of Scotland and the darker ones in northern England and the Midlands, in industrial areas. Typically, the species is pale greyish, a form known as f. grisea . Woodlands, other well wooded areas and heathland The highly distinctive caterpillar is pale green and is covered with extremely long whitish hairs, giving the whole larva a feather-like appearance. It feeds mainly on Birch but also on other deciduous trees. It is fairly frequent and distributed over much of Britain though commoner in the south. 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
- Acronicta
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Woodlands, other well wooded areas and heathland
Seasonal Activity
Flies from June to August
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The highly distinctive caterpillar is pale green and is covered with extremely long whitish hairs, giving the whole larva a feather-like appearance. It feeds mainly on Birch but also on other deciduous trees.
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is fairly frequent and distributed over much of Britain though commoner in the south. 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 Acronicta leporina. 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 Miller (Moth) (8)
Frequently Asked Questions About The Miller (Moth)
What is The Miller (Moth)?
The Miller (Moth) (Acronicta leporina) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is The Miller (Moth) found?
Habitat: Woodlands, other well wooded areas and heathland
When is The Miller (Moth) active?
The Miller (Moth): seasonal activity - Flies from June to August.
What is the life cycle of a The Miller (Moth)?
The highly distinctive caterpillar is pale green and is covered with extremely long whitish hairs, giving the whole larva a feather-like appearance. It feeds mainly on Birch but also on other deciduous trees.