Orange Sallow
Tiliacea citrago
This record describes Tiliacea citrago (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | Wingspan 28 to 33 mm. |
| Forewing | Forewing is broad, pointed, orange-yellow finely speckled with orange-red, and with orange brown cross lines and veins, the central one thicker and fairly straight, diagonal and passing between oval and kidney mark touching the latter. Has a preference for woodland, parkland and suburban areas, where its foodplant, Lime is established. It flies in August and September, and comes to light as well as sugar. The larvae feed initially on the leaf-buds and later the leaves, of Lime. Distributed over the greater part of Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common. |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Noctuidae
- Genus
- Tiliacea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Has a preference for woodland, parkland and suburban areas, where its foodplant, Lime is established.
Seasonal Activity
It flies in August and September, and comes to light as well as sugar.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed initially on the leaf-buds and later the leaves, of Lime.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Distributed over the greater part of Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Tiliacea citrago. 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 Orange Sallow (8)
Frequently Asked Questions About Orange Sallow
What is Orange Sallow?
Orange Sallow (Tiliacea citrago) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Orange Sallow found?
Habitat: Has a preference for woodland, parkland and suburban areas, where its foodplant, Lime is established.
When is Orange Sallow active?
Orange Sallow: seasonal activity - It flies in August and September, and comes to light as well as sugar..
What is the life cycle of a Orange Sallow?
The larvae feed initially on the leaf-buds and later the leaves, of Lime.