Scythris inspersella
This record describes Scythris inspersella (species). Recorded family: Scythrididae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan about 14 mm. A blackish brown moth with scattered white scales. Areas where the larval foodplants occur. The adult moths fly during the day, especially in sunshine, visiting flowers of the foodplant. They are on the wing in July and August. The larvae feed on Rosebay Willowherb as well as other willhowherbs, spinning the terminal shoots together. A recently discovered species in the British Isles, having been first found in North Norfolk in 1977, though not identified until 1980, when it was found to be quite common in its favoured locality. More recently, a colony has been discovered in Yorkshire, and perhaps it will appear elsewhere, as the foodplants are quite common. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as RDB 2. No additional images available for this species.
Wikipedia reference for Scythris inspersella: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scythris_inspersella.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Gelechioidea
- Family
- Scythrididae (Flower Moths)
- Genus
- Scythris
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Areas where the larval foodplants occur.
Seasonal Activity
The adult moths fly during the day, especially in sunshine, visiting flowers of the foodplant. They are on the wing in July and August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on Rosebay Willowherb as well as other willhowherbs, spinning the terminal shoots together.
Additional species information
Recorded status
A recently discovered species in the British Isles, having been first found in North Norfolk in 1977, though not identified until 1980, when it was found to be quite common in its favoured locality. More recently, a colony has been discovered in Yorkshire, and perhaps it will appear elsewhere, as the foodplants are quite common. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as RDB 2.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Scythris inspersella. 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 Scythris inspersella (6)
Frequently Asked Questions About Scythris inspersella
What is Scythris inspersella?
Scythris inspersella is a species in the family Scythrididae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Scythris inspersella found?
Habitat: Areas where the larval foodplants occur.
When is Scythris inspersella active?
Scythris inspersella: seasonal activity - The adult moths fly during the day, especially in sunshine, visiting flowers of the foodplant. They are on the wing in July and August..
What is the life cycle of a Scythris inspersella?
The larvae feed on Rosebay Willowherb as well as other willhowherbs, spinning the terminal shoots together.