Recurvaria leucatella
This record describes Recurvaria leucatella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 14 to 15 mm. A distinctive pied species. Areas where the larval foodplants are plentiful. Flying in June and July, the adults can be attracted to light, and can also be obtained by beating the foodplant in suitable localities. The larva feeds between two spun leaves of hawthorn or apple. Local, but occurs widely throughout England, and also in North Wales. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Gelechiidae
- Genus
- Recurvaria
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Areas where the larval foodplants are plentiful.
Seasonal Activity
Flying in June and July, the adults can be attracted to light, and can also be obtained by beating the foodplant in suitable localities.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larva feeds between two spun leaves of hawthorn or apple.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Local, but occurs widely throughout England, and also in North Wales. 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 Recurvaria leucatella. 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 Recurvaria leucatella (2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Recurvaria leucatella
What is Recurvaria leucatella?
Recurvaria leucatella is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Recurvaria leucatella found?
Habitat: Areas where the larval foodplants are plentiful.
When is Recurvaria leucatella active?
Recurvaria leucatella: seasonal activity - Flying in June and July, the adults can be attracted to light, and can also be obtained by beating the foodplant in suitable localities..
What is the life cycle of a Recurvaria leucatella?
The larva feeds between two spun leaves of hawthorn or apple.