The Sprawler
Asteroscopus sphinx
This record describes Asteroscopus sphinx (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 39 to 49 mm.This moth has a very furry thorax, and its broad pale wings are streaked with darker colours. It is a late flying species, being on the wing from October to December. The English name 'Sprawler' comes from the larva's habit of throwing back its head in defensive attitude. They feed on the foliage of a range of deciduous trees. Distributed widely throughout much of England and Wales, commoner in the south. 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
- Asteroscopus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
A woodland species.
Seasonal Activity
It is a late flying species, being on the wing from October to December.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The English name 'Sprawler' comes from the larva's habit of throwing back its head in defensive attitude. They feed on the foliage of a range of deciduous trees.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Distributed widely throughout much of England and Wales, commoner in the south. 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 Asteroscopus sphinx. 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 Sprawler (7)
Frequently Asked Questions About The Sprawler
What is The Sprawler?
The Sprawler (Asteroscopus sphinx) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is The Sprawler found?
Habitat: A woodland species.
When is The Sprawler active?
The Sprawler: seasonal activity - It is a late flying species, being on the wing from October to December..
What is the life cycle of a The Sprawler?
The English name 'Sprawler' comes from the larva's habit of throwing back its head in defensive attitude. They feed on the foliage of a range of deciduous trees.