Monopis weaverella
This record describes Monopis weaverella (species). Recorded family: Tineidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The adults fly from dusk between May and August, though it is most often encountered in June. The life-history of this species is not well-known, but it is believed to be a scavenger on animal carcasses and faeces. Distributed widely over much of mainland Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Tineidae
- Genus
- Monopis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Around carion etc.
Seasonal Activity
The adults fly from dusk between May and August, though it is most often encountered in June.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The life-history of this species is not well-known, but it is believed to be a scavenger on animal carcasses and faeces.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Distributed widely over much of mainland Britain. 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 Monopis weaverella. 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 Monopis weaverella (7)
Frequently Asked Questions About Monopis weaverella
What is Monopis weaverella?
Monopis weaverella is a species in the family Tineidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Monopis weaverella found?
Habitat: Around carion etc.
When is Monopis weaverella active?
Monopis weaverella: seasonal activity - The adults fly from dusk between May and August, though it is most often encountered in June..
What is the life cycle of a Monopis weaverella?
The life-history of this species is not well-known, but it is believed to be a scavenger on animal carcasses and faeces.