Waved Umber
Menophra abruptaria
This record describes Menophra abruptaria (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 36-42 mm. A distinctive species that is not likely to be confused with anything else. Broad-leaved woodland, scrub, hedgerows, parks and gardens. Flies in a single generation from April into June. The larvae feed on Garden Privet and Lilac. Occurring reasonably commonly in the south of England and Wales, becoming scarcer into the northernmost English counties. 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
- Geometridae
- Genus
- Menophra
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Broad-leaved woodland, scrub, hedgerows, parks and gardens.
Seasonal Activity
Flies in a single generation from April into June.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on Garden Privet and Lilac.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Occurring reasonably commonly in the south of England and Wales, becoming scarcer into the northernmost English counties. 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 Menophra abruptaria. 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 Waved Umber (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Waved Umber
What is Waved Umber?
Waved Umber (Menophra abruptaria) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Waved Umber found?
Habitat: Broad-leaved woodland, scrub, hedgerows, parks and gardens.
When is Waved Umber active?
Waved Umber: seasonal activity - Flies in a single generation from April into June..
What is the life cycle of a Waved Umber?
The larvae feed on Garden Privet and Lilac.