Phtheochroa sodaliana
This record describes Phtheochroa sodaliana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan about 15 mm. A fairly distinctive Tortrix species with its white ground colour and red-brown apical spot combined with blackish and metallic grey markings. This species occurs mainly on calcareous soils. The adult moths can be found on the wing in June and July, and flies from just before dusk. The larvae feed on the berries of buckthorn, spinning berries together where a single purple berry amongst the green ones is a good sign that a larva is present. Mainly found in the southern counties of England. 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
- Tortricidae
- Genus
- Phtheochroa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
This species occurs mainly on calcareous soils.
Seasonal Activity
The adult moths can be found on the wing in June and July, and flies from just before dusk.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on the berries of buckthorn, spinning berries together where a single purple berry amongst the green ones is a good sign that a larva is present.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Mainly found in the southern counties of England. 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 Phtheochroa sodaliana. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Phtheochroa sodaliana
What is Phtheochroa sodaliana?
Phtheochroa sodaliana is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Phtheochroa sodaliana found?
Habitat: This species occurs mainly on calcareous soils.
When is Phtheochroa sodaliana active?
Phtheochroa sodaliana: seasonal activity - The adult moths can be found on the wing in June and July, and flies from just before dusk..
What is the life cycle of a Phtheochroa sodaliana?
The larvae feed on the berries of buckthorn, spinning berries together where a single purple berry amongst the green ones is a good sign that a larva is present.