Perittia obscurepunctella
This record describes Perittia obscurepunctella (species). Recorded family: Elachistidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan about 9 mm. A small, indistinctly marked moth. The larvae mine Honeysuckle, creating a large blotch mine Leafmine: Please provide photographs including a back-lit photograph showing the frass pattern. Please also state the host plant. Inhabiting open woodland, and areas where Honeysuckle is present. The adult moths are diurnal and fly in April and May, especially in sunshine. Mines are to be found between June and August. The larval foodplant is honeysuckle (Lonicera), and the larva forms a translucent blotch mine on the leaves, with a dark reddish-brown central spot where the frass accumulates. Distributed widely, but thinly across most of England, becoming less common in the norther parts of its range. It also occurs scarcely in Wales and Ireland. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Elachistidae
- Genus
- Perittia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Inhabiting open woodland, and areas where Honeysuckle is present.
Seasonal Activity
The adult moths are diurnal and fly in April and May, especially in sunshine. Mines are to be found between June and August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larval foodplant is honeysuckle (Lonicera), and the larva forms a translucent blotch mine on the leaves, with a dark reddish-brown central spot where the frass accumulates.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Distributed widely, but thinly across most of England, becoming less common in the norther parts of its range. It also occurs scarcely in Wales and Ireland. 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 Perittia obscurepunctella. 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 Perittia obscurepunctella (4)
Frequently Asked Questions About Perittia obscurepunctella
What is Perittia obscurepunctella?
Perittia obscurepunctella is a species in the family Elachistidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Perittia obscurepunctella found?
Habitat: Inhabiting open woodland, and areas where Honeysuckle is present.
When is Perittia obscurepunctella active?
Perittia obscurepunctella: seasonal activity - The adult moths are diurnal and fly in April and May, especially in sunshine. Mines are to be found between June and August..
What is the life cycle of a Perittia obscurepunctella?
The larval foodplant is honeysuckle (Lonicera), and the larva forms a translucent blotch mine on the leaves, with a dark reddish-brown central spot where the frass accumulates.