Nematopogon swammerdamella
This record describes Nematopogon swammerdamella (species). Recorded family: Adelidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 18-21 mm. The largest of Britain's 'longhorn' moths. Resembles N. schwarziellus , with long white antennae and yellow-orange head tufts, but is larger and has no discal spot. Usually associated with deciduous woodland habitats. The larvae are believed to feed on dead leaves. This species is generally distributed throughout the British Isles. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
Wikipedia reference for Nematopogon swammerdamella: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nematopogon swammerdamella.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Adeloidea
- Family
- Adelidae (Fairy Moths)
- Subfamily
- Nematopogoninae
- Genus
- Nematopogon
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Usually associated with deciduous woodland habitats.
Seasonal Activity
It is on the wing during May and June.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae are believed to feed on dead leaves.
Additional species information
Recorded status
This species is generally distributed throughout the British Isles. 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 swammerdamella. 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 swammerdamella (7)
Frequently Asked Questions About Nematopogon swammerdamella
What is Nematopogon swammerdamella?
Nematopogon swammerdamella is a species in the family Adelidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Nematopogon swammerdamella found?
Habitat: Usually associated with deciduous woodland habitats.
When is Nematopogon swammerdamella active?
Nematopogon swammerdamella: seasonal activity - It is on the wing during May and June..
What is the life cycle of a Nematopogon swammerdamella?
The larvae are believed to feed on dead leaves.