Schoenobius gigantella
This record describes Schoenobius gigantella (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 25 to 46 mm. Sexually dimorphic, the females being generally much larger and plainer in appearance than the males. The moths fly in July and sometimes in August, and can be attracted to light, though the males are quite sedentary. The larvae feed internally on the stems of Common Reed ( Phragmites australis ) and Reed Sweet-grass ( Glyceria maxima ). It is locally distributed in the southern half 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
- Crambidae
- Genus
- Schoenobius
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Reedbeds, often coastal reedbeds.
Seasonal Activity
The moths fly in July and sometimes in August, and can be attracted to light, though the males are quite sedentary.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed internally on the stems of Common Reed (
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is locally distributed in the southern half of England. 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 Schoenobius gigantella. 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 Schoenobius gigantella (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Schoenobius gigantella
What is Schoenobius gigantella?
Schoenobius gigantella is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Schoenobius gigantella found?
Habitat: Reedbeds, often coastal reedbeds.
When is Schoenobius gigantella active?
Schoenobius gigantella: seasonal activity - The moths fly in July and sometimes in August, and can be attracted to light, though the males are quite sedentary..
What is the life cycle of a Schoenobius gigantella?
The larvae feed internally on the stems of Common Reed (