Mottled Beauty
Alcis repandata
This record describes Alcis repandata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 30-45 mm. A very variable species, with a number of races and intermediate forms. Quite similar to Willow Beauty. Guidance on separating these two species can be found by following this LINK Inhabiting woodland, suburban gardens and bushy localities. Flies in June and July and is a regular visitor to light. Larval foodplants are a number of different plants and trees. Occurring quite frequently throughout Britain. 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
- Geometridae
- Genus
- Alcis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Inhabiting woodland, suburban gardens and bushy localities.
Seasonal Activity
Flies in June and July and is a regular visitor to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Larval foodplants are a number of different plants and trees.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Occurring quite frequently throughout Britain. 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 Alcis repandata. 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 Mottled Beauty (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Mottled Beauty
What is Mottled Beauty?
Mottled Beauty (Alcis repandata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Mottled Beauty found?
Habitat: Inhabiting woodland, suburban gardens and bushy localities.
When is Mottled Beauty active?
Mottled Beauty: seasonal activity - Flies in June and July and is a regular visitor to light..
What is the life cycle of a Mottled Beauty?
Larval foodplants are a number of different plants and trees.