Buttoned snout moth  (Hypena rostralis)

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Facts – Buttoned snout moth

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumArthropoda
ClassInsecta
OrderLepidoptera
FamilyNoctuidae
GenusHypena (1)
SizeWingspan: 2.7 - 3.2 cm (1)
Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Status – Buttoned snout moth

Classified as Nationally Scarce in Great Britain (2).

Description – Buttoned snout moth

Female buttoned snout moths are more variable in their appearance than males (3); the males tend to have darker, more uniform forewings whereas the females have a more obvious lighter panel towards the outer edge (3). The caterpillar is green with small dark spots, and white lines along the sides (4).

Range – Buttoned snout moth

This species was once found throughout south Wales and southern Britain. Following a substantial decline, it is now largely restricted to river valleys of south-east England and a number of isolated locations around the coast. It can still be found in south Wales where it may be more widespread than current records indicate (3). It is known from most European countries (2).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Habitat – Buttoned snout moth

Inhabits hedgerows and overgrown areas (1) in parks, gardens and disturbed habitats such as urban wasteland (5). The adults overwinter in garden sheds, outhouses, other man-made shelters and caves (1) (5).

Biology – Buttoned snout moth

Adults of this single-brooded species fly between August and October, overwinter and fly again between late April and early June. The caterpillar feeds on hop (Humulus lupulus) in June and July (1).

Threats – Buttoned snout moth

The main reason for the decline of this species seems to be the redevelopment of urban wasteland (2). The development of these 'brownfield' sites continues to put great pressure on this species (5). A further threat is the reduction in the number of hop fields (6).

Conservation – Buttoned snout moth

The buttoned snout has been targeted as a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP). The Species Action Plan produced as part of this process aims to maintain all known current populations, with enhancement of these populations and restoration of the species to five sites within the former range before 2010, possibly using reintroductions. Possible action includes appropriate habitat management, increasing the area of suitable habitat, linking fragments of habitat, and considering the species in development proposals (2).

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan for this species is available at UK BAP.
View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.
There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Find out more – Buttoned snout moth

For more information on moths see:

  • Skinner, B. (1998) Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles. Viking Press, London.
  • Leverton, R. (2001) Enjoying moths. Poyser, London.

Authentication

Information authenticated by Adrian Spalding.

Glossary

  • Single-brooded: Also known as ‘univoltine’. Referring to an organism which has just one brood each year.

References

  1. Skinner, B. (1984) Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles. Viking Press, London.
  2. UK BAP (December, 2001)
    http://www.ukbap.org.uk/UKPlans.aspx?ID=385
  3. Spalding, A. (2003) Pers. comm.
  4. South, R. (1961) The Moths of the British Isles. Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd., London.
  5. Westminster Biodiversity Action Plan – Buttoned Snout (September, 2008)
    http://www3.westminster.gov.uk/docstores/publications_store/Biodiversity_web_buttoned%20snout%20moth%20hypena%20rostralis%20.pdf
  6. Leverton, R. (2002) Pers. comm.
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Image credit

Buttoned Snout
Buttoned Snout

© David Green / British Butterfly Conservation Society Ltd

Butterfly Conservation
Manor Yard
East Lulworth
Wareham
Dorset
BH20 5QP
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1929 400 209
info@butterfly-conservation.org
http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/

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