Rhodophaea formosa
This record describes Rhodophaea formosa (species). Recorded family: Pyralidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 20 to 23mm. An attractive red, grey and black species. Rather secretive in habits. It is not often encountered by day but can be attracted to light at night. The adults are on the wing from June until August. The larvae feed in a slight web on the leaves of Elm especially those in hedgerows. The species is locally distributed in the southernmost counties of England. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Pyralidae
- Genus
- Rhodophaea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Rather secretive in habits. It is not often encountered by day but can be attracted to light at night.
Seasonal Activity
The adults are on the wing from June until August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed in a slight web on the leaves of Elm especially those in hedgerows.
Additional species information
Recorded status
The species is locally distributed in the southernmost counties of England. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Rhodophaea formosa. 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 Rhodophaea formosa (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhodophaea formosa
What is Rhodophaea formosa?
Rhodophaea formosa is a species in the family Pyralidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Rhodophaea formosa found?
Habitat: Rather secretive in habits. It is not often encountered by day but can be attracted to light at night.
When is Rhodophaea formosa active?
Rhodophaea formosa: seasonal activity - The adults are on the wing from June until August..
What is the life cycle of a Rhodophaea formosa?
The larvae feed in a slight web on the leaves of Elm especially those in hedgerows.