Mother Shipton
Callistege mi
This record describes Callistege mi (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 25-30 mm. The common name refers to the forewing markings, which appear to show an old lady or witch's head. Downland, in rough grassland and waste places where Clovers and Trefoils, Medick or Lucerne occur. A day-flying moth, preferring sunshine and taking short, rapid flights. It flies in May and June. The larvae feed mainly on Clover and various grasses. It is reasonably common over much of the British Isles, becoming scarcer in Scotland and Ireland. 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
- Erebidae
- Genus
- Callistege
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Downland, in rough grassland and waste places where Clovers and Trefoils, Medick or Lucerne occur.
Seasonal Activity
A day-flying moth, preferring sunshine and taking short, rapid flights. It flies in May and June.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed mainly on Clover and various grasses.
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is reasonably common over much of the British Isles, becoming scarcer in Scotland and Ireland. 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 Callistege mi. 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 Mother Shipton (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Mother Shipton
What is Mother Shipton?
Mother Shipton (Callistege mi) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Mother Shipton found?
Habitat: Downland, in rough grassland and waste places where Clovers and Trefoils, Medick or Lucerne occur.
When is Mother Shipton active?
Mother Shipton: seasonal activity - A day-flying moth, preferring sunshine and taking short, rapid flights. It flies in May and June..
What is the life cycle of a Mother Shipton?
The larvae feed mainly on Clover and various grasses.