Niditinea striolella
This record describes Niditinea striolella (species). Recorded family: Tineidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan about 12mm. Adult moths have a buff ground colour, irrorated with darker scales. Determination by genitalia examination (gen. det.) required. Not much is written about the larval stages, but adults have been reared from birds' nests, especially those in nest boxes or holes made by woodpeckers etc. This is a relatively scarce species, distributed mainly in the southern and south-eastern counties of England, extending westwards into parts of South Wales and northwards to Yorkshire. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Tineidae
- Genus
- Niditinea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Various habitats.
Seasonal Activity
On the wing from June to August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Not much is written about the larval stages, but adults have been reared from birds' nests, especially those in nest boxes or holes made by woodpeckers etc.
Additional species information
Recorded status
This is a relatively scarce species, distributed mainly in the southern and south-eastern counties of England, extending westwards into parts of South Wales and northwards to Yorkshire. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Niditinea striolella. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Niditinea striolella
What is Niditinea striolella?
Niditinea striolella is a species in the family Tineidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Niditinea striolella found?
Habitat: Various habitats.
When is Niditinea striolella active?
Niditinea striolella: seasonal activity - On the wing from June to August..
What is the life cycle of a Niditinea striolella?
Not much is written about the larval stages, but adults have been reared from birds' nests, especially those in nest boxes or holes made by woodpeckers etc.