The Spectacle
Abrostola tripartita
This record describes Abrostola tripartita (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 27-30 mm. This moth derives its English name from the raised tufts of scales on the thorax, which resembles a pair of spectacles when viewed from the front. Gardens, heathland, rough grassland, fens, woodland edges and waste ground. It has one or two generations, flying between May and September, and is a regular visitor to light. The larvae feed on Nettle and the species passes the winter as a pupa. It is a fairly common species throughout 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
- Abrostola
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Gardens, heathland, rough grassland, fens, woodland edges and waste ground.
Seasonal Activity
It has one or two generations, flying between May and September, and is a regular visitor to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on Nettle and the species passes the winter as a pupa.
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is a fairly common species throughout 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 Abrostola tripartita. 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 Spectacle (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About The Spectacle
What is The Spectacle?
The Spectacle (Abrostola tripartita) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is The Spectacle found?
Habitat: Gardens, heathland, rough grassland, fens, woodland edges and waste ground.
When is The Spectacle active?
The Spectacle: seasonal activity - It has one or two generations, flying between May and September, and is a regular visitor to light..
What is the life cycle of a The Spectacle?
The larvae feed on Nettle and the species passes the winter as a pupa.