The Olive
Ipimorpha subtusa
This record describes Ipimorpha subtusa (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 27 to 30 mm. Pale olive brown forewing which is not hooked and which has very distinctive patterning. The species inhabits woodlands and marshy areas. The caterpillar spins together the leaves of its foodplants, which are Aspen and other poplars. Fairly widely distributed over much of Britain as far north as southern Scotland, but can be relatively uncommon and local. 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
- Ipimorpha
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
The species inhabits woodlands and marshy areas.
Seasonal Activity
Flies in July and August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The caterpillar spins together the leaves of its foodplants, which are Aspen and other poplars.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly widely distributed over much of Britain as far north as southern Scotland, but can be relatively uncommon and local. 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 Ipimorpha subtusa. 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 The Olive (4)
Frequently Asked Questions About The Olive
What is The Olive?
The Olive (Ipimorpha subtusa) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is The Olive found?
Habitat: The species inhabits woodlands and marshy areas.
When is The Olive active?
The Olive: seasonal activity - Flies in July and August..
What is the life cycle of a The Olive?
The caterpillar spins together the leaves of its foodplants, which are Aspen and other poplars.