Udea prunalis
This record describes Udea prunalis (species). Recorded family: Crambidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 20-24 mm. Quite a dark species overall but characterised by the distinctive whitish underbody and legs. Various habitats but it is particularly associated with Blackthorn. This nocturnal species flies in June and July. The larvae feed on a wide range of herbaceous plants Common over the greater part of the British Isles. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Crambidae
- Genus
- Udea
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Various habitats but it is particularly associated with Blackthorn.
Seasonal Activity
This nocturnal species flies in June and July.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on a wide range of herbaceous plants
Additional species information
Recorded status
Common over the greater part of the British Isles. 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 Udea prunalis. 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 Udea prunalis (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Udea prunalis
What is Udea prunalis?
Udea prunalis is a species in the family Crambidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Udea prunalis found?
Habitat: Various habitats but it is particularly associated with Blackthorn.
When is Udea prunalis active?
Udea prunalis: seasonal activity - This nocturnal species flies in June and July..
What is the life cycle of a Udea prunalis?
The larvae feed on a wide range of herbaceous plants