Pale-shouldered Brocade
Lacanobia thalassina
This record describes Lacanobia thalassina (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 35-38 mm. There is some colour variation, but the species generally shows the 'pale shoulder' that gives rise to its English name. Flying in June and July, sometimes a partial second brood occurs in the south. The nocturnal larvae feed on a variety of deciduous trees and plants, including Oak, Willow and Knotgrass Commonly distributed throughout the whole 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
- Lacanobia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Frequenting woodland and moorland
Seasonal Activity
Flying in June and July, sometimes a partial second brood occurs in the south.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The nocturnal larvae feed on a variety of deciduous trees and plants, including Oak, Willow and Knotgrass
Additional species information
Recorded status
Commonly distributed throughout the whole 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 Lacanobia thalassina. 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 Pale-shouldered Brocade (4)
Frequently Asked Questions About Pale-shouldered Brocade
What is Pale-shouldered Brocade?
Pale-shouldered Brocade (Lacanobia thalassina) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Pale-shouldered Brocade found?
Habitat: Frequenting woodland and moorland
When is Pale-shouldered Brocade active?
Pale-shouldered Brocade: seasonal activity - Flying in June and July, sometimes a partial second brood occurs in the south..
What is the life cycle of a Pale-shouldered Brocade?
The nocturnal larvae feed on a variety of deciduous trees and plants, including Oak, Willow and Knotgrass