Phyllonorycter lantanella
This record describes Phyllonorycter lantanella (species). Recorded family: Gracillariidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan about 9 mm. A well marked brown and white species similar to several other members of this family. The larva mines the leaves of Wayfaring-tree and occasionally on Guelder-rose or Viburnum tinus , causing tentiform mines. In areas where the larval food plants occur. There are two generations, with moths on the wing in May and August, and leaf mines evident in July and from September onwards, the second generation overwintering in this stage. The larval foodplants are Wayfaring Tree ( Viburnum lantana ) and other Viburnum species, such as Guelder Rose and the non-native Viburnum tinus . The larval mine is on the underside of the leaf, causing a strong fold and distorting the leaf, sometimes more than one mine to a leaf. This species occurs in the southern counties of England and Wales, ranging north to the Midlands. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/P.lantanella9.htm https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/gracillarioidea/gracillariidae/lithocolletinae/phyllonorycter/phyllonorycter-lantanella/ No additional images available for this species.
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
In areas where the larval food plants occur.
Seasonal Activity
There are two generations, with moths on the wing in May and August, and leaf mines evident in July and from September onwards, the second generation overwintering in this stage.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larval foodplants are Wayfaring Tree (
Additional species information
Recorded status
This species occurs in the southern counties of England and Wales, ranging north to the Midlands. 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 Phyllonorycter lantanella. 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 lantanella (6)
Frequently Asked Questions About Phyllonorycter lantanella
What is Phyllonorycter lantanella?
Phyllonorycter lantanella is a species in the family Gracillariidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Phyllonorycter lantanella found?
Habitat: In areas where the larval food plants occur.
When is Phyllonorycter lantanella active?
Phyllonorycter lantanella: seasonal activity - There are two generations, with moths on the wing in May and August, and leaf mines evident in July and from September onwards, the second generation overwintering in this stage..
What is the life cycle of a Phyllonorycter lantanella?
The larval foodplants are Wayfaring Tree (