The Shears
Hada plebeja
This record describes Hada plebeja (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 30-35 mm. There is quite a variation in ground colour, generally the paler individuals occurring further south. It flies from May to July, with a partial second generation in the south. The larvae feed nocturnally on such low plants as Dandelion and Hawk's-beard. Fairly common and widespread throughout a large part of Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Noctuidae
- Genus
- Hada
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Frequenting a wide variety of habitats.
Seasonal Activity
It flies from May to July, with a partial second generation in the south.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed nocturnally on such low plants as Dandelion and Hawk's-beard.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly common and widespread throughout a large part of Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Hada plebeja. 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 The Shears (5)
Frequently Asked Questions About The Shears
What is The Shears?
The Shears (Hada plebeja) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is The Shears found?
Habitat: Frequenting a wide variety of habitats.
When is The Shears active?
The Shears: seasonal activity - It flies from May to July, with a partial second generation in the south..
What is the life cycle of a The Shears?
The larvae feed nocturnally on such low plants as Dandelion and Hawk's-beard.