Scarce merveille du jour moth (Moma alpium)
Facts
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Noctuidae |
| Genus | Moma (2) |
| Size |
Wingspan: 3.2- 4.0 cm (2) |
| Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life, at Nature Navigator |  |
Status
Classified as Rare in Great Britain (1).
Description
The Scarce Merveille du Jour is an attractive moth, which has green coloured forewings with white and black patches; the hind-wings are a dusky grey colour with white patches towards the lower edge (3). The caterpillar is black with yellow or white blotches, and tufts of white or brown hairs protruding from reddish warts (3).
Range
Strongholds exist in Wiltshire, Hampshire and West Sussex. In addition, some colonies occur in East Sussex, Cornwall, Devon and Kent, but it seems that the species has become locally extinct in Suffolk and Essex (1). Elsewhere, this moth has a wide European distribution, and reaches north into Sweden (1).
| You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway |  |
Habitat
This moth is mainly associated with mature pedunculate and sessile oak trees (Quercus robur and Q. petraea) in semi-natural ancient woodlands within a range of 80 km of the coast (1).
Biology
The Scarce Merveille du Jour is single-brooded (2); the adults fly at night (3) between early June and mid-July. The caterpillars feed on oak and are active between July and early September, and the pupal stage overwinters amongst the leaf litter (2).
Threats
Main factors contributing to the decline of this species include the clearance of oak woodlands and inappropriate woodland management, in which mature oaks are not replaced (1).
Conservation
A Species Action Plan has been produced for this moth under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP). This aims to maintain the range of the Scarce Merveille du Jour. One occupied site is a candidate Special Area for Conservation (SAC), and one is a National Nature Reserve (NNR). A programme of monitoring has been proposed, and conservation action taken for the Light Crimson Underwing (Catocala promissa) and the Dark Crimson Underwing (Catocala sponsa), which inhabit lowland oak woodlands, may benefit the Scarce Merveille du Jour (1).
The UK Biodiversity Action Plan for this species is available at
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Further Information
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 Butterfly Conservation:
http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/
Pupal stage: stage in an insect's development, when huge changes occur that reorganise the larval form into the adult form. In butterflies the pupa is also called a chrysalis.
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
- UK BAP Species Action Plan (December 2001):
http://www.ukbap.org.uk - Skinner, B. (1984) Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles. Viking Press, London.
- South, R. (1961) The moths of the British Isles. Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd., London.
