Telechrysis tripuncta
This record describes Telechrysis tripuncta (species). Recorded family: Depressariidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan about 12 mm. It has three pale, evenly-spaced spots on each dark forewing, white tipped antennae and an orangey-yellow head. Adult moths are on the wing in May and June, flying around twilight time. The feeding habits are relatively unknown, but it is believed to feed in dead or rotting wood. Occurring in southern England and in parts of north-west England and Wales it is however fairly local and never common. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B. No additional images available for this species.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Depressariidae
- Genus
- Telechrysis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Woodlands and hedgerows.
Seasonal Activity
Adult moths are on the wing in May and June, flying around twilight time.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The feeding habits are relatively unknown, but it is believed to feed in dead or rotting wood.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Occurring in southern England and in parts of north-west England and Wales it is however fairly local and never common. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Telechrysis tripuncta. 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 Telechrysis tripuncta (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Telechrysis tripuncta
What is Telechrysis tripuncta?
Telechrysis tripuncta is a species in the family Depressariidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Telechrysis tripuncta found?
Habitat: Woodlands and hedgerows.
When is Telechrysis tripuncta active?
Telechrysis tripuncta: seasonal activity - Adult moths are on the wing in May and June, flying around twilight time..
What is the life cycle of a Telechrysis tripuncta?
The feeding habits are relatively unknown, but it is believed to feed in dead or rotting wood.