Pine Beauty
Panolis flammea
This record describes Panolis flammea (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | Wingspan 30-33 mm. Unmistakable with a large white kidney mark drawn out close to leading edge towards wing tip. |
| Forewing | Forewing rather narrow and pointed orange brown, reddish brown or brick red often yellowish along the outer edge and sometimes dusted white. It occupies coniferous forests and plantations, mixed woodlands, parks and gardens. Flying in March and April. The adults rest among the spring buds of coniferous trees, well camouflaged. They also feed in spring on Willow and are attracted to light. The larvae feed on the needles of Scots Pine as well as other Pinaceae , and themselves are difficult to see with their longitudinal stripes. This species is quite common over much of Britain in suitable habitat. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common. |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Noctuidae
- Genus
- Panolis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
It occupies coniferous forests and plantations, mixed woodlands, parks and gardens.
Seasonal Activity
Flying in March and April. The adults rest among the spring buds of coniferous trees, well camouflaged. They also feed in spring on Willow and are attracted to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on the needles of Scots Pine as well as other
Additional species information
Recorded status
This species is quite common over much of Britain in suitable habitat. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Panolis flammea. 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 Pine Beauty (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Pine Beauty
What is Pine Beauty?
Pine Beauty (Panolis flammea) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Pine Beauty found?
Habitat: It occupies coniferous forests and plantations, mixed woodlands, parks and gardens.
When is Pine Beauty active?
Pine Beauty: seasonal activity - Flying in March and April. The adults rest among the spring buds of coniferous trees, well camouflaged. They also feed in spring on Willow and are attracted to light..
What is the life cycle of a Pine Beauty?
The larvae feed on the needles of Scots Pine as well as other