Nematopogon schwarziellus
This record describes Nematopogon schwarziellus (species). Recorded family: Adelidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 14 to 17mm. Similar in appearance to the slightly larger Nematopogon swammerdamella. Nematopogon schwarziellus has a hint of a pale discal spot. Occupying woodland, heathland and acid grassland. The adults hatch in May and June, and fly early in the morning and from late afternoon till dusk. The larva constructs a case from detritus, within which it lives, feeding on dead leaves throughout the winter and all the following year until the succeeding spring. Widespread and fairly frequent species throughout 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
- Adelidae
- Genus
- Nematopogon
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Occupying woodland, heathland and acid grassland.
Seasonal Activity
The adults hatch in May and June, and fly early in the morning and from late afternoon till dusk.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larva constructs a case from detritus, within which it lives, feeding on dead leaves throughout the winter and all the following year until the succeeding spring.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread and fairly frequent species throughout 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 Nematopogon schwarziellus. 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 Nematopogon schwarziellus (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Nematopogon schwarziellus
What is Nematopogon schwarziellus?
Nematopogon schwarziellus is a species in the family Adelidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Nematopogon schwarziellus found?
Habitat: Occupying woodland, heathland and acid grassland.
When is Nematopogon schwarziellus active?
Nematopogon schwarziellus: seasonal activity - The adults hatch in May and June, and fly early in the morning and from late afternoon till dusk..
What is the life cycle of a Nematopogon schwarziellus?
The larva constructs a case from detritus, within which it lives, feeding on dead leaves throughout the winter and all the following year until the succeeding spring.