Scrobipalpa costella
This record describes Scrobipalpa costella (species). Recorded family: Gelechiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The colouration of this species varies a great deal but there is often a darker (sometimes triangular) mark midway along each wing. The larva mines the leaves of Bittersweet, starting in the midrib and then causing dark blotches in the leaf blade beside the midrib or main vein. They may aslo live freely on the leaf. Acrolepia autumnitella also mines bittersweet, but the mines are larger and very transparent Backlit photo of mine; note host species Occurs in woodland, well wooded and damp areas where the larval foodplant Bittersweet is found. Emerges late in the season, from September onwards, and spends the winter as an adult. The adult flies at night and is attracted to light. A fairly common species throughout much of Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/S.costella.htm https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/gelechioidea/gelechiidae/gelechiinae/gnorimoschemini/scrobipalpa/scrobipalpa-costella/
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Gelechiidae
- Genus
- Scrobipalpa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Occurs in woodland, well wooded and damp areas where the larval foodplant Bittersweet is found.
Seasonal Activity
Emerges late in the season, from September onwards, and spends the winter as an adult. The adult flies at night and is attracted to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larval foodplant is Bittersweet
Additional species information
Recorded status
A fairly common species throughout much of Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Scrobipalpa costella. 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 Scrobipalpa costella (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Scrobipalpa costella
What is Scrobipalpa costella?
Scrobipalpa costella is a species in the family Gelechiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Scrobipalpa costella found?
Habitat: Occurs in woodland, well wooded and damp areas where the larval foodplant Bittersweet is found.
When is Scrobipalpa costella active?
Scrobipalpa costella: seasonal activity - Emerges late in the season, from September onwards, and spends the winter as an adult. The adult flies at night and is attracted to light..
What is the life cycle of a Scrobipalpa costella?
The larval foodplant is Bittersweet