Striped lychnis moth  (Shargacucullia lychnitis)

Striped Lychnis

Facts

Previously known as:Cucullia lychnitis
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Arthropoda
Class Insecta
Order Lepidoptera
Family Noctuidae
Genus Shargacucullia (2)
Size Wingspan: 4.2- 4.7 cm (2)
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Status

Classified as Nationally Scarce in Great Britain (1).

Description

Adult Striped Lychnis moths are rarely seen, they are bone-yellow in colour with darker markings towards the edges of the wings (3). The caterpillar may reach 5 cm in length and is pale green with variable transverse yellow bands with black spots and stripes (4).

Range

This moth is known from most European countries between the Mediterranean and Denmark and extends as far east as central Asia. In Britain it has suffered a dramatic decline, with a contraction in range of about 50%. It has been lost from Wiltshire, Dorset, Surrey, East Anglia and Gloucestershire (1).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network GatewayDisplay NBN Map Button

Habitat

Generally inhabits open countryside (4), roadside verges and downland (2). The caterpillars prefer warm, open and sunny areas and feed on dark mullein flowers (Verbascum nigrum) (2).

Biology

Adults of this single-brooded moth fly in June and July (2), eggs are laid singly on the underside of the foodplant and caterpillars are present between July and August (2). The pupae form in autumn and overwinter in cocoons below or on the surface of the soil (4). Adult moths emerge in June but the pupal stage may persist for up to four years (2).

Threats

A major factor affecting this species is the cutting of the caterpillars' foodplant in grassland and along road verges at inappropriate times (1).

Conservation

The Striped Lychnis has been identified as a priority species for conservation action under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP). The Species Action Plan produced aims to maintain all current populations of this moth, with population enhancement before 2010. In addition, reintroductions have been proposed to parts of the former range in Dorset, Wiltshire and East Anglia. A number of the current populations occur within existing Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Furthermore, Buckinghamshire County Council has taken this species into account in planning roadside cutting regimes (1).

Further Information

The UKBAP Species Action Plan is available at:
http://www.ukbap.org.uk
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.

Authentication

Information authenticated by Sean Clancy.

Glossary

Cocoon: a sheath of silk, which is spun around the pupae of some insects (a pupa is a 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).
Pupae: 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.
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

  1. UK BAP (December 2001):
    http://www.ukbap.org.uk
  2. Skinner, B. (1984) Colour Identification Guide to Moths of the British Isles. Viking Press, London.
  3. Lyneborg, L. (1976) Moths in colour. Blandford, Dorset.
  4. Carter, D. J. , Hargreaves, B. (1986) A field guide to caterpillars of butterflies and moths in Britain and Europe. Collins, London.