Mullein Wave
Scopula marginepunctata
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scopula_marginepunctata
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Geometridae
Genus
Scopula
Mullein Wave belongs to the family Geometridae, order Lepidoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The Mullein Wave faces severe population declines due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development across its range. Climate change is altering the composition of its preferred grassland and heathland habitats, while light pollution disrupts its nocturnal behavior patterns.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Open grasslands, chalk downs, heathlands, and coastal dunes with abundant mullein plants (Verbascum species) which serve as the primary larval food source. Adults are found in areas with scattered scrubland and rough grassland typically below 300m elevation.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Mullein Wave faces severe population declines due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development across its range. Climate change is altering the composition of its preferred grassland and heathland habitats, while light pollution disrupts its nocturnal behavior patterns.
Climate change impacts on habitat composition
Habitat loss from agricultural intensification
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
Light pollution affecting nocturnal behavior
Pesticide use reducing food plant availability
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Mullein Wave (Scopula marginepunctata). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/mullein-wave