Old Lady
Mormo maura
This record describes Mormo maura (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 55-65 mm. A large broad winged dark brown moth. It hides by day in old buildings and sheds, and frequents damp localities as well as waste ground and gardens. On the wing in July and August. The adults are not readily attracted to light, but are frequent at sugar. After overwintering, the rather plump caterpillars feed in the spring on Blackthorn and other shrubs and trees. Distributed locally throughout much of Britain, and common in places. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Noctuidae
- Genus
- Mormo
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
It hides by day in old buildings and sheds, and frequents damp localities as well as waste ground and gardens.
Seasonal Activity
On the wing in July and August. The adults are not readily attracted to light, but are frequent at sugar.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
After overwintering, the rather plump caterpillars feed in the spring on Blackthorn and other shrubs and trees.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Distributed locally throughout much of Britain, and common in places. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Mormo maura. 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 Old Lady (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Old Lady
What is Old Lady?
Old Lady (Mormo maura) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Old Lady found?
Habitat: It hides by day in old buildings and sheds, and frequents damp localities as well as waste ground and gardens.
When is Old Lady active?
Old Lady: seasonal activity - On the wing in July and August. The adults are not readily attracted to light, but are frequent at sugar..
What is the life cycle of a Old Lady?
After overwintering, the rather plump caterpillars feed in the spring on Blackthorn and other shrubs and trees.