Yellow Horned
Achlya flavicornis
This record describes Achlya flavicornis (species). Recorded family: Drepanidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 35 to 40 mm. The English and scientific names of this moth are derived from the yellowish colour of the antennae. The adult is greyish, with a finely speckled appearance, and has darker cross-lines and a distinct whitish spot. A good photograph is generally required to support your record. Inhabits woodland, other well wooded areas and heaths where Birch occurs. It is an early species, flying in March and April. It is generally distributed and fairly common in Britain; in Scotland, the larger and darker scotica race occurs. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Wikipedia reference for Achlya flavicornis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achlya_flavicornis.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Drepanoidea
- Family
- Drepanidae (Hooktip and False Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Thyatirinae
- Genus
- Achlya
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Inhabits woodland, other well wooded areas and heaths where Birch occurs.
Seasonal Activity
It is an early species, flying in March and April.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larval foodplant is Birch.
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is generally distributed and fairly common in Britain; in Scotland, the larger and darker
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Achlya flavicornis. 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 Yellow Horned (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Yellow Horned
What is Yellow Horned?
Yellow Horned (Achlya flavicornis) is a species in the family Drepanidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Yellow Horned found?
Habitat: Inhabits woodland, other well wooded areas and heaths where Birch occurs.
When is Yellow Horned active?
Yellow Horned: seasonal activity - It is an early species, flying in March and April..
What is the life cycle of a Yellow Horned?
The larval foodplant is Birch.