Oncocera semirubella
This record describes Oncocera semirubella (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 17 to 29 mm. A beautifully coloured little moth, with pink and yellow forewings, sometimes exhibiting a whitish stripe along the leading edge of the forewing. Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed. The preferred habitats are chalk downland and limestone cliffs. Flying in June and July, it can sometimes be seen in the afternoon sunshine, and later at night it comes to light. The larval foodplants are Bird's-foot-trefoil and Clover the larvae forming strong silken tubes. The species occurs mainly in the southernmost counties of England and some eastern coastal areas. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B. No additional images available for this species.
Wikipedia reference for Oncocera semirubella: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oncocera semirubella.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pyraloidea
- Family
- Pyralidae (Pyralid Snout Moths)
- Subfamily
- Phycitinae
- Tribe
- Phycitini
- Genus
- Oncocera
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
The preferred habitats are chalk downland and limestone cliffs.
Seasonal Activity
Flying in June and July, it can sometimes be seen in the afternoon sunshine, and later at night it comes to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larval foodplants are Bird's-foot-trefoil and Clover the larvae forming strong silken tubes.
Additional species information
Recorded status
The species occurs mainly in the southernmost counties of England and some eastern coastal areas. 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 Oncocera semirubella. 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 Oncocera semirubella (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Oncocera semirubella
What is Oncocera semirubella?
Oncocera semirubella is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Oncocera semirubella found?
Habitat: The preferred habitats are chalk downland and limestone cliffs.
When is Oncocera semirubella active?
Oncocera semirubella: seasonal activity - Flying in June and July, it can sometimes be seen in the afternoon sunshine, and later at night it comes to light..
What is the life cycle of a Oncocera semirubella?
The larval foodplants are Bird's-foot-trefoil and Clover the larvae forming strong silken tubes.