Phtheochroa inopiana
This record describes Phtheochroa inopiana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 17 to 22 mm. A sexually dimorphic species, the females being generally plainer than the males. Unless identified by a recognised expert, photographs are required and it is advisable to retain the specimen until the County Recorder has accepted the identification. Occupying damp places and woodland edges. The moth is on the wing from June to August. The overwintering larvae feed inside the roots of Common Fleabane. A fairly local species in England and Wales, scarcer in Scotland and Ireland. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Tortricidae
- Genus
- Phtheochroa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Occupying damp places and woodland edges.
Seasonal Activity
The moth is on the wing from June to August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The overwintering larvae feed inside the roots of Common Fleabane.
Additional species information
Recorded status
A fairly local species in England and Wales, scarcer in Scotland and Ireland. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Phtheochroa inopiana. 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 Phtheochroa inopiana (2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Phtheochroa inopiana
What is Phtheochroa inopiana?
Phtheochroa inopiana is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Phtheochroa inopiana found?
Habitat: Occupying damp places and woodland edges.
When is Phtheochroa inopiana active?
Phtheochroa inopiana: seasonal activity - The moth is on the wing from June to August..
What is the life cycle of a Phtheochroa inopiana?
The overwintering larvae feed inside the roots of Common Fleabane.