Thursday 23 May
Dingy mocha moth (Cyclophora pendularia)
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Find out here.Dingy mocha moth fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
- Find out more
- Glossary
- References
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Dingy mocha moth description
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Geometridae |
| Genus | Cyclophora (1) |
The common name 'mocha' refers to mocha stone, an agate with a beautiful moss-like patterning of crystals (3). The Dingy Mocha is finely mottled with red-brown patterning and is 'dingy' only in that it is darker in colour than any of the related species (4).
- Size
- Wingspan: 2.6- 2.9 cm (1)
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Related species
Dingy mocha moth biology
This double-brooded or 'bivoltine' species flies at night (5); the first brood flies in May and early June, and the second flies in July and early August. Caterpillars are present in July and September, and the overwintering stage is the pupa(1).
TopDingy mocha moth range
This moth is currently restricted to Dorset and western Hampshire, having been lost from Wiltshire, Surrey, Sussex, Suffolk, Devon, Kent and South Wales (2). It is known from most European countries (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. |
Dingy mocha moth habitat
Dingy Mocha caterpillars live in open heathland or damp grassland habitat on 1-3m tall willows (Salix species) (2).
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Species found in a similar habitat
Dingy mocha moth status
Classified as Rare in Great Britain (2).
TopDingy mocha moth threats
Factors contributing to the decline of this species may include the loss of suitable habitat. Heathland has been lost due to development, forestry and agricultural intensification; furthermore, poor management may result in succession to woodland. Heathland fires and scrub clearance during heathland restoration may also put pressure on this moth (2).
TopDingy mocha moth conservation
The Dingy Mocha has been targeted as a priority species for conservation under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP). The aims of the Species Action Plan are to maintain and enhance all known populations, and to restore the species to five sites in its former range by 2010 (2). Research into the ecology of the species and a regular monitoring programme have also been recommended (2).
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There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway. |
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View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre. |
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The UK Biodiversity Action Plan for this species is available at UK BAP. |
Find out more
Further reading on moths:
Skinner, B. (1998) Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles. Viking Press, London.
Leverton, R. (2001) Enjoying Moths. Poyser, London.
Young, M. (1997) The natural history of moths. Poyser, London.
Authentication
Information authenticated by Butterfly Conservation:
http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/
Glossary
- Bivoltine
- (also known as 'double-brooded'). Insect life cycle that takes 12 months to complete, but involves two generations in that time. The first generation adults lay eggs that give rise to those of the second generation. The second generation overwinters either as an egg, larva, pupa or adult.
- Pupa
- Stage in an insect's development when huge changes occur, which reorganise the larval form into the adult form. In butterflies the pupa is also called a chrysalis.
- Succession
- The progressive sequence of changes in vegetation types and animal life within a community that, if allowed to continue, result in the formation of a 'climax community' (the last stage in a succession where the vegetation reaches equilibrium with the environment).
References
- Skinner, B. (1984) Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles. Viking Press, London.
- UK BAP (December 2001): http://www.ukbap.org.uk
- Marren, P. (1998) The English names of moths. British Wildlife10: 29-38.
- Pers. observation from images.
- Parsons, M. (2002) Butterfly Conservation. Pers comm.
More »Related species
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Image credit
Dingy Mocha
© 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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