Narycia duplicella
This record describes Narycia duplicella (species). Recorded family: Psychidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 7 to12 mm. This small moth has dark brownish-black wings speckled with cream. The cream marks seem to produce two pale diamonds along the back where the wings meet. The female moth is slightly smaller than the male. Both can be found resting on tree trunks during the flight period. The larva lives in a case, and attaches itself to a tree-trunk, fence or other lichen-covered surface. A fairly common species throughout England and Wales, extending into southern Scotland. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Psychidae
- Genus
- Narycia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Both can be found resting on tree trunks during the flight period.
Seasonal Activity
Flying in June and July.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larva lives in a case, and attaches itself to a tree-trunk, fence or other lichen-covered surface.
Additional species information
Recorded status
A fairly common species throughout England and Wales, extending into southern Scotland. 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 Narycia duplicella. 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 Narycia duplicella (4)
Frequently Asked Questions About Narycia duplicella
What is Narycia duplicella?
Narycia duplicella is a species in the family Psychidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Narycia duplicella found?
Habitat: Both can be found resting on tree trunks during the flight period.
When is Narycia duplicella active?
Narycia duplicella: seasonal activity - Flying in June and July..
What is the life cycle of a Narycia duplicella?
The larva lives in a case, and attaches itself to a tree-trunk, fence or other lichen-covered surface.