Short-cloaked Moth
Nola cucullatella
This record describes Nola cucullatella (species). Recorded family: Nolidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 16-18 mm. A small but attractive and distinctive moth. Inhabits woodland, suburban gardens and similar bushy habitats. The single generation flies in June and July and the species is readily attracted to light. The small, hairy caterpillars feed on Blackthorn, Hawthorn and Apple. Widely distributed in Britain and moderately common. 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
- Nolidae
- Genus
- Nola
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Inhabits woodland, suburban gardens and similar bushy habitats.
Seasonal Activity
The single generation flies in June and July and the species is readily attracted to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The small, hairy caterpillars feed on Blackthorn, Hawthorn and Apple.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widely distributed in Britain and moderately common. 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 Nola cucullatella. 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 Short-cloaked Moth (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Short-cloaked Moth
What is Short-cloaked Moth?
Short-cloaked Moth (Nola cucullatella) is a species in the family Nolidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Short-cloaked Moth found?
Habitat: Inhabits woodland, suburban gardens and similar bushy habitats.
When is Short-cloaked Moth active?
Short-cloaked Moth: seasonal activity - The single generation flies in June and July and the species is readily attracted to light..
What is the life cycle of a Short-cloaked Moth?
The small, hairy caterpillars feed on Blackthorn, Hawthorn and Apple.