Yponomeuta irrorella
This record describes Yponomeuta irrorella (species). Recorded family: Yponomeutidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan about 22 mm. Quite similar to other members of the Ermine family but identifiable, with care, by the patch of greyish suffusion in the centre of the forewing. Because this species is scarce in our region, a photo is required and the specimen should be retained in case it is required by the County Recorder. The larvae feed on spindle (Euonymus europaeus) in a silken web, but unlike some other Yponomeuta species, are not so gregarious. A scarce and local species, occurring mainly in southern and south-eastern England. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as pRDB 2 (Occurs in 6 to 10 10km squares).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Yponomeutidae
- Genus
- Yponomeuta
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Areas where Spindle is present.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly in July and August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on spindle (Euonymus europaeus) in a silken web, but unlike some other Yponomeuta species, are not so gregarious.
Additional species information
Recorded status
A scarce and local species, occurring mainly in southern and south-eastern England. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as pRDB 2 (Occurs in 6 to 10 10km squares).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Yponomeuta irrorella. 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 Yponomeuta irrorella (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Yponomeuta irrorella
What is Yponomeuta irrorella?
Yponomeuta irrorella is a species in the family Yponomeutidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Yponomeuta irrorella found?
Habitat: Areas where Spindle is present.
When is Yponomeuta irrorella active?
Yponomeuta irrorella: seasonal activity - Adults fly in July and August..
What is the life cycle of a Yponomeuta irrorella?
The larvae feed on spindle (Euonymus europaeus) in a silken web, but unlike some other Yponomeuta species, are not so gregarious.