The Suspected
Parastichtis suspecta
This record describes Parastichtis suspecta (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 29 to 34 mm. Quite variable, there are a number of forms ranging from quite plain to more variegated examples. The moths are on the wing in July and August. The larval foodplants are Birch and Willow. Generally distributed throughout mainland Britain, it is absent from parts of Wales and the south-west, but occurs in Ireland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Xylenini
- Genus
- Parastichtis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Inhabiting woodland and heathland.
Seasonal Activity
The moths are on the wing in July and August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larval foodplants are Birch and Willow.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Generally distributed throughout mainland Britain, it is absent from parts of Wales and the south-west, but occurs in Ireland. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Parastichtis suspecta. 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 Suspected (5)
Frequently Asked Questions About The Suspected
What is The Suspected?
The Suspected (Parastichtis suspecta) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is The Suspected found?
Habitat: Inhabiting woodland and heathland.
When is The Suspected active?
The Suspected: seasonal activity - The moths are on the wing in July and August..
What is the life cycle of a The Suspected?
The larval foodplants are Birch and Willow.