Friday 17 May
Black-banded moth (Polymixis xanthomista statices)
Black-banded moth fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
- Find out more
- Glossary
- References
- Print factsheet
Black-banded moth description
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Noctuidae |
| Genus | Polymixis (1) |
Adult Black-banded moths have grey forewings with dense yellow, white and greenish flecking and a darker area towards the centre (3). The hindwings are relatively more uniform in colour and are darker in females (4). The caterpillars are generally reddish-brown, with a brown head (5).
- Size
- Wingspan: 2.5- 2.6 cm (1)
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Related species
Black-banded moth biology
A single-brooded moth, adults are on the wing in August and September. The egg over-winters and the caterpillars are present the following year from March to early July, and can be found feeding at night on the leaves and flowers of the foodplant (1).
TopBlack-banded moth range
Precise details of the distribution of this scarce moth are currently unknown, as the species has been under-recorded (2). It is known from the coasts of the Scilly Isles, Devon, Pembrokeshire, Cardiganshire, Cornwall and the Isle of Man. Outside of the UK it has a wide central and southern European range (2).
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Species with a similar range
Black-banded moth habitat
This species is found on coastal cliffs where the larval foodplant thrift (Armeria maritima) is present (6). A preference is shown for plants that are closer to the sea (2). It does not occur on thrift away from the coast (5).
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Species found in a similar habitat
Black-banded moth status
Classified as Nationally Scarce in Great Britain (2)
TopBlack-banded moth threats
There is no evidence to indicate that the species has suffered a decline in recent years, and the factors contributing to the scarcity of this moth are currently unknown (2).
TopBlack-banded moth conservation
The Black-banded moth has been targeted by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan as a species for conservation action. The Species Action Plan aims to maintain the current range of this moth in conjunction with a monitoring programme (2). A number of the known populations are found in Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), National Trust owned land or candidate Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) (2).
TopFind out more
Further reading on moths:
Leverton, R. (2001) Enjoying moths. Poyser, London.
Skinner, B. (1984) Moths of the British Isles. Penguin Books, Harmondsworth
Young, M. (1997) The natural history of moths. Poyser, London.
Authentication
Information authenticated by Adrian Spalding.
TopGlossary
- Larval
- Of the stage in an animal's lifecycle after it hatches from the egg. Larvae are typically very different in appearance to adults; they are able to feed and move around but usually are unable to reproduce.
- Single brooded
- (Also known as 'univoltine'). Insect life cycle that takes 12 months to be complete, and involves a single generation. The egg, larva, pupa or adult over winters as a dormant stage.
References
- Skinner, B. (1984) Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles. Viking Press, London.
- UK BAP Species Action Plan (December 2001): http://www.ukbap.org.uk
- South, R (1961) The moths of the British Isles. Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd., London.
- Pers. observation. From image.
- Spalding, A (2003) Pers. comm.
- Pembrokeshire Lepidoptera (December 2001): http://www.lamphey98.freeserve.co.uk/PembsLepidoptera/
More »Related species
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This is a UK rocky shore species. Visit our habitat page to learn more.
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