White-pinion Spotted
Lomographa bimaculata
This record describes Lomographa bimaculata (species). Recorded family: Geometridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 22 to 26 mm. Unmistakable white moth with two dark spots on the leading edge of each forewing. There is one generation, flying in May and June, when it can be attracted to light. The larvae feed on Hawthorn and Blackthorn. Distributed fairly commonly in southern Britain, north to the Midlands, locally in northern England and in southern Ireland. 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
- Lomographa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Occupying mainly wooded habitats.
Seasonal Activity
There is one generation, flying in May and June, when it can be attracted to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on Hawthorn and Blackthorn.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Distributed fairly commonly in southern Britain, north to the Midlands, locally in northern England and in southern Ireland. 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 Lomographa bimaculata. 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 White-pinion Spotted (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About White-pinion Spotted
What is White-pinion Spotted?
White-pinion Spotted (Lomographa bimaculata) is a species in the family Geometridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is White-pinion Spotted found?
Habitat: Occupying mainly wooded habitats.
When is White-pinion Spotted active?
White-pinion Spotted: seasonal activity - There is one generation, flying in May and June, when it can be attracted to light..
What is the life cycle of a White-pinion Spotted?
The larvae feed on Hawthorn and Blackthorn.