Pseudotelphusa scalella
This record describes Pseudotelphusa scalella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 11 to 13 mm. A distinctive 'pied' appearance makes this moth one of the less difficult to identify. The moths fly in May and June and are attracted to light. The larval stages are yet to be fully described in this country although on the Continent it is believed to be associated with Oak as well as mosses on tree-trunks. It is distributed locally in central and southern England, and occurs in continental Europe. 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
- Gelechiidae
- Genus
- Pseudotelphusa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Woodland.
Seasonal Activity
The moths fly in May and June and are attracted to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larval stages are yet to be fully described in this country although on the Continent it is believed to be associated with Oak as well as mosses on tree-trunks.
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is distributed locally in central and southern England, and occurs in continental Europe. 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 Pseudotelphusa scalella. 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 Pseudotelphusa scalella (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Pseudotelphusa scalella
What is Pseudotelphusa scalella?
Pseudotelphusa scalella is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Pseudotelphusa scalella found?
Habitat: Woodland.
When is Pseudotelphusa scalella active?
Pseudotelphusa scalella: seasonal activity - The moths fly in May and June and are attracted to light..
What is the life cycle of a Pseudotelphusa scalella?
The larval stages are yet to be fully described in this country although on the Continent it is believed to be associated with Oak as well as mosses on tree-trunks.