Scorched Wing
Plagodis dolabraria
This record describes Plagodis dolabraria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 28-32 mm. The English name of this species is derived from the moth's fanciful resemblance to burnt paper or similar substance. The main flight period is May and June. The adults are attracted to sugar, but only usually the males to light. The larvae feed on a range of deciduous trees, including Oak, Birch and Willow. It is widely distributed in England and Wales, sometimes fairly frequently, and also occurs though less commonly, in Scotland and Ireland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Geometridae
- Genus
- Plagodis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Woodland and well wooded areas
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period is May and June. The adults are attracted to sugar, but only usually the males to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on a range of deciduous trees, including Oak, Birch and Willow.
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is widely distributed in England and Wales, sometimes fairly frequently, and also occurs though less commonly, in Scotland and Ireland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Plagodis dolabraria. 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 Scorched Wing (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Scorched Wing
What is Scorched Wing?
Scorched Wing (Plagodis dolabraria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Scorched Wing found?
Habitat: Woodland and well wooded areas
When is Scorched Wing active?
Scorched Wing: seasonal activity - The main flight period is May and June. The adults are attracted to sugar, but only usually the males to light..
What is the life cycle of a Scorched Wing?
The larvae feed on a range of deciduous trees, including Oak, Birch and Willow.