Tinea trinotella
This record describes Tinea trinotella (species). Recorded family: Tineidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 12-18 mm. This small greyish-buff moth has three dark spots on the forewing, which give rise to its scientific name. It also sports a yellowish or orange head-tuft, resulting in its diagnostic appearance. Flying at night and often visiting light-traps, the adults are at large between May and August, with possibly two generations. The larva lives in a portable case and is quite common in birds' nests, where it feeds on detritus and food remains. Fairly frequent in England at least. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Tineidae
- Genus
- Tinea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Found in various habitats.
Seasonal Activity
Flying at night and often visiting light-traps, the adults are at large between May and August, with possibly two generations.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larva lives in a portable case and is quite common in birds' nests, where it feeds on detritus and food remains.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly frequent in England at least. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Tinea trinotella. 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 Tinea trinotella (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Tinea trinotella
What is Tinea trinotella?
Tinea trinotella is a species in the family Tineidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Tinea trinotella found?
Habitat: Found in various habitats.
When is Tinea trinotella active?
Tinea trinotella: seasonal activity - Flying at night and often visiting light-traps, the adults are at large between May and August, with possibly two generations..
What is the life cycle of a Tinea trinotella?
The larva lives in a portable case and is quite common in birds' nests, where it feeds on detritus and food remains.