Ypsolopha sylvella
This record describes Ypsolopha sylvella (species). Recorded family: Ypsolophidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 18 to 20 mm. It closely resembles the slightly commoner Y. alpella , so care has to be taken with identification. Oak woods and other areas with mature Oaks. The adult moths occur during August and September and can be attracted by light. This species is locally distributed in much of England north to Yorkshire. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Ypsolophidae
- Genus
- Ypsolopha
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Oak woods and other areas with mature Oaks.
Seasonal Activity
The adult moths occur during August and September and can be attracted by light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Foodplant is Oak.
Additional species information
Recorded status
This species is locally distributed in much of England north to Yorkshire. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Ypsolopha sylvella. 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 Ypsolopha sylvella (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Ypsolopha sylvella
What is Ypsolopha sylvella?
Ypsolopha sylvella is a species in the family Ypsolophidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Ypsolopha sylvella found?
Habitat: Oak woods and other areas with mature Oaks.
When is Ypsolopha sylvella active?
Ypsolopha sylvella: seasonal activity - The adult moths occur during August and September and can be attracted by light..
What is the life cycle of a Ypsolopha sylvella?
Foodplant is Oak.