Peach Blossom
Thyatira batis
This record describes Thyatira batis (species). Recorded family: Drepanidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 32-38 mm. A beautifully-marked moth, with its pinkish spots on a brown background. The adults fly at night in June and July and can be attracted by bright lights or a sugar-mixture. The reddish-brown caterpillar feeds on Bramble in late summer. Fairly common in throughout Britain except the extreme north. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Wikipedia reference for Thyatira batis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyatira batis.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Drepanoidea
- Family
- Drepanidae (Hooktip and False Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Thyatirinae
- Tribe
- Thyatirini
- Genus
- Thyatira
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Woodland and other well wooded areas.
Seasonal Activity
The adults fly at night in June and July and can be attracted by bright lights or a sugar-mixture.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The reddish-brown caterpillar feeds on Bramble in late summer.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly common in throughout Britain except the extreme north. 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 Thyatira batis. 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 Peach Blossom (7)
Frequently Asked Questions About Peach Blossom
What is Peach Blossom?
Peach Blossom (Thyatira batis) is a species in the family Drepanidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Peach Blossom found?
Habitat: Woodland and other well wooded areas.
When is Peach Blossom active?
Peach Blossom: seasonal activity - The adults fly at night in June and July and can be attracted by bright lights or a sugar-mixture..
What is the life cycle of a Peach Blossom?
The reddish-brown caterpillar feeds on Bramble in late summer.