Thursday 23 May
Cousin German moth (Protolampra sobrina)
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Find out here.Cousin German moth fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
- Find out more
- Glossary
- References
- Print factsheet
Cousin German moth description
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Noctuidae |
| Genus | Protolampra (1) |
Cousin German (Protolampra sobrina, formerly known as Paradiarsia sobrina) is a rare moth that has dark brown forewings with a purplish tinge and paler hind-wings, which become darker towards the outer margins (3).
- Synonyms
- Paradiarsia sobrina.
- Size
- Wingspan: 34- 39 mm (1)
- 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.
- Skinner, B. (1984) Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles. Viking Press, London.
- UK BAP (December 2001): http://www.ukbap.org.uk
- Pers. Observation from images.
- Roy Leverton (2002) Pers. comm.
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Related species
Cousin German moth biology
Adults of this single-brooded moth fly in July and August. The caterpillars are present from September to May (1) feeding on bilberry and ling at first, but progressing to young leaves on low branches of small birch trees after the over-wintering period (2).
TopCousin German moth range
Known from a just few locations in the central Scottish Highlands. It has been mostly recorded in Rannoch and Aviemore and less frequently from Strathspey and the Dee Valley (2).
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Species with a similar range
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You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway. |
Cousin German moth habitat
Inhabits birch woods and old Caledonian pine forests, where there are large spaces between individual trees (2) and a ground layer of bilberry (Vaccinium) (4).
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Species found in a similar habitat
Cousin German moth status
Classified as Rare in Great Britain (2).
TopCousin German moth threats
This species has suffered as a result of burning and unsuitable grazing regimes in the birch and pinewood pastures it inhabits (2). As a northern moth, global warming is a long-term threat (4).
TopCousin German moth conservation
The Species Action Plan produced for the Cousin German moth as part of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) aims to maintain the present range of the species. Some populations are located within existing Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and nature reserves. Conservation action targeted at other threatened species that occur within Scottish pine forests, such as the Scottish wood ant Formica aquilonia, will also benefit the Cousin German moth (2).
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There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway. |
Find out more
Further reading on moths:
Skinner, B. (1984) Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles. Viking Press, London.
Leverton, R. (2001) Enjoying Moths. Poyser, London.
Authentication
Information authenticated by Roy Leverton.
TopGlossary
References
More »Related species
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Image credit
Cousin German
© 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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