Notocelia trimaculana
This record describes Notocelia trimaculana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 15-17 mm. Another of the very similar Epiblema species, the distinctive tawny markings towards the outer part of the forewing help to identify this moth. ALERT: It has been highlighted very recently that the identification of Notocelia trimaculana and Notocelia rosaecolana on external characters alone may be unreliable. Virtually all recent literature, including the popular Field Guide to Micro Moths [Sterling/Parsons/Lewington] and Bird-dropping Tortrix Moths [Clifton/Wheeler] give characters to separate them, and it may well be that very fresh and well-marked individuals will be correctly identified, however there is sufficient doubt that a review is necessary. For now please continue to record these species as N. trimaculana or N. rosaecolana (any aggregation can be done subsequently). Please save good examples for gen det. and ideally photograph these beforehand. Various habitats, especially in areas of Hawthorn Flight time for the adult moths is June and July, and the species is mainly nocturnal. The moth occurs quite commonly over most of 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
- Tortricidae
- Genus
- Notocelia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Various habitats, especially in areas of Hawthorn
Seasonal Activity
Flight time for the adult moths is June and July, and the species is mainly nocturnal.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Hawthorn is the larval foodplant
Additional species information
Recorded status
The moth occurs quite commonly over most of 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 Notocelia trimaculana. 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 Notocelia trimaculana (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Notocelia trimaculana
What is Notocelia trimaculana?
Notocelia trimaculana is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Notocelia trimaculana found?
Habitat: Various habitats, especially in areas of Hawthorn
When is Notocelia trimaculana active?
Notocelia trimaculana: seasonal activity - Flight time for the adult moths is June and July, and the species is mainly nocturnal..
What is the life cycle of a Notocelia trimaculana?
Hawthorn is the larval foodplant