The Mullein
Cucullia verbasci
This record describes Cucullia verbasci (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | Wingspan 45-50 mm. |
| Forewing | Forewing buff with dark brown stripes along leading and trailing edges, the latter cut by a thin pale line. At rest this moth looks like a dead plant stalk. The species occupies a range of open habitats as well as gardens. The normal flight period is April to May. The brightly coloured caterpillar is probably seen more often than the adult moth, which can sometimes be attracted to light. The larval foodplants in the wild are various species of Mullein but it also feeds in gardens on Buddleia. Distributed widely in England, most commonly in the south, and scarcer in Wales. 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
- Cucullia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
The species occupies a range of open habitats as well as gardens.
Seasonal Activity
The normal flight period is April to May. The brightly coloured caterpillar is probably seen more often than the adult moth, which can sometimes be attracted to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larval foodplants in the wild are various species of Mullein but it also feeds in gardens on Buddleia.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Distributed widely in England, most commonly in the south, and scarcer in Wales. 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 Cucullia verbasci. 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 Mullein (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About The Mullein
What is The Mullein?
The Mullein (Cucullia verbasci) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is The Mullein found?
Habitat: The species occupies a range of open habitats as well as gardens.
When is The Mullein active?
The Mullein: seasonal activity - The normal flight period is April to May. The brightly coloured caterpillar is probably seen more often than the adult moth, which can sometimes be attracted to light..
What is the life cycle of a The Mullein?
The larval foodplants in the wild are various species of Mullein but it also feeds in gardens on Buddleia.