Mompha epilobiella
This record describes Mompha epilobiella (species). Recorded family: Momphidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 10 to 13 mm. This small micro moth is buffish in colour sometimes suffused slightly with chestnut or darker brown shades and with two pairs of dark scale tufts. The adult hibernates and can be found throughout the year, most commonly in July and August, often being attracted to light. Like many of its relatives, the larvae feed on various Willowherbs, forming spinnings amongst their shoots. Found throughout most of England and Wales and can be frequent where the foodplant occurs. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
Wikipedia reference for Mompha epilobiella: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mompha_epilobiella.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Momphidae (Momphid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Momphinae
- Genus
- Mompha
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Around plants of the Willowherb family.
Seasonal Activity
The adult hibernates and can be found throughout the year, most commonly in July and August, often being attracted to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Like many of its relatives, the larvae feed on various Willowherbs, forming spinnings amongst their shoots.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Found throughout most of England and Wales and can be frequent where the foodplant occurs. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Mompha epilobiella. 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 Mompha epilobiella (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Mompha epilobiella
What is Mompha epilobiella?
Mompha epilobiella is a species in the family Momphidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Mompha epilobiella found?
Habitat: Around plants of the Willowherb family.
When is Mompha epilobiella active?
Mompha epilobiella: seasonal activity - The adult hibernates and can be found throughout the year, most commonly in July and August, often being attracted to light..
What is the life cycle of a Mompha epilobiella?
Like many of its relatives, the larvae feed on various Willowherbs, forming spinnings amongst their shoots.