Agnoea flavifrontella
This record describes Agnoea flavifrontella (species). Recorded family: Lypusidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required showing all characters. If recorded after mid-June the specimen should be retained for gen det. Larva feeds on leaf litter and various lichens, living and feeding in a movable case. Widespread in the southern half of Britain but scarce and very local. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B.
Wikipedia reference for Agnoea flavifrontella: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnoea_flavifrontella.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Lypusidae
- Genus
- Agnoea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Mainly occurring in woodland.
Seasonal Activity
The flight period is from May to July.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Larva feeds on leaf litter and various lichens, living and feeding in a movable case.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread in the southern half of Britain but scarce and very local. 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 Agnoea flavifrontella. 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 Agnoea flavifrontella (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Agnoea flavifrontella
What is Agnoea flavifrontella?
Agnoea flavifrontella is a species in the family Lypusidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Agnoea flavifrontella found?
Habitat: Mainly occurring in woodland.
When is Agnoea flavifrontella active?
Agnoea flavifrontella: seasonal activity - The flight period is from May to July..
What is the life cycle of a Agnoea flavifrontella?
Larva feeds on leaf litter and various lichens, living and feeding in a movable case.