Sorhagenia lophyrella
This record describes Sorhagenia lophyrella (species). Recorded family: Cosmopterigidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan about10 mm. The three British species of Sorhagenia cannot be distinguished on external characters alone, and genitalia dissection is required to be certain of identification. The adults have noticeable scale-tufts on the forewing. Areas where the larval foodplants are present. In common with the other two species, lophyrella feeds on buckthorn and alder buckthorn, at first in the bud, then later between spun leaves. It is distributed in south-eastern England, with odd populations further north. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce A. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Cosmopterigidae
- Genus
- Sorhagenia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Areas where the larval foodplants are present.
Seasonal Activity
To follow
Diet and Behavior
Life History
In common with the other two species, lophyrella feeds on buckthorn and alder buckthorn, at first in the bud, then later between spun leaves.
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is distributed in south-eastern England, with odd populations further north. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce A.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Sorhagenia lophyrella. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sorhagenia lophyrella
What is Sorhagenia lophyrella?
Sorhagenia lophyrella is a species in the family Cosmopterigidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Sorhagenia lophyrella found?
Habitat: Areas where the larval foodplants are present.
When is Sorhagenia lophyrella active?
Sorhagenia lophyrella: seasonal activity - To follow.
What is the life cycle of a Sorhagenia lophyrella?
In common with the other two species, lophyrella feeds on buckthorn and alder buckthorn, at first in the bud, then later between spun leaves.