Phyllonorycter comparella
This record describes Phyllonorycter comparella (species). Recorded family: Gracillariidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan about 8 mm. The adults have quite extensive whitish ground colour, marked with greyish-brown. The larva makes a mine on the underside of leaves of Grey Poplar ( Populus canescens ), White Poplar ( P. alba ) and occasionally hybrid Black Poplar. The mines are small and hard to find on the commonest hosts, Grey or White Poplar; there is little contraction or distortion of the leaf, and the underneath of the mine is hidden in the woolly undersurface of the leaf. Adult needs to be confirmed by gen det unless reared from a mine. Leafmine records should be supported by photograph and the host plant should be recorded in the ‘Comments’ section. Areas where the foodplants (Poplar species) occur. Mines can be found in July and again in September and October. Adults occur in August and again from October, when they overwinter. A relatively scarce species, being found locally in England. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce A. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/P.comparella.htm
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Gracillariidae
- Genus
- Phyllonorycter
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Areas where the foodplants (Poplar species) occur.
Seasonal Activity
Mines can be found in July and again in September and October. Adults occur in August and again from October, when they overwinter.
Additional species information
Recorded status
A relatively scarce species, being found locally in England. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce A.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Phyllonorycter comparella. 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 Phyllonorycter comparella (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Phyllonorycter comparella
What is Phyllonorycter comparella?
Phyllonorycter comparella is a species in the family Gracillariidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Phyllonorycter comparella found?
Habitat: Areas where the foodplants (Poplar species) occur.
When is Phyllonorycter comparella active?
Phyllonorycter comparella: seasonal activity - Mines can be found in July and again in September and October. Adults occur in August and again from October, when they overwinter..