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Origanum vulgare, Wild marjoram, is almost ubiquitous on our North Yorkshire Verges, in flower June–September & buzzing with pollinators. It also supports nearly 50 other invert species as a larval host, including 28 species of Lepidoptera
Chrysolina polita, a Leaf Beetle, occurs in a range of habitats – calcareous grassland, parkland, woodland & all kinds of wetland. Host plants include several Lamiaceae; including marjoram, mints, thyme, & dead-nettles.
Pic by James Lindsey at Ecology of Commanster, CC BY-SA 3.0
Pic by James Lindsey at Ecology of Commanster, CC BY-SA 3.0
Chrysolina staphylaea, a Leaf Beetle. Both Adults & larvae feed on a range of herbaceous plants, including marjoram and yarrow, in grassland, moorland, woodland, dunes & shingle. Larvae feed beneath leaves & pupate in the soil.
Pic by Janet Graham, CC BY 2.0
Pic by Janet Graham, CC BY 2.0
Meligethes umbrosus is a pollen beetle – it seems to like to keep all its data hidden from me though. I can't find out very much about it!
Pic by Georgiy Jacobson, Public Domain
Pic by Georgiy Jacobson, Public Domain
Phytomyza origani is a monophagous leaf miner that creates a corridor mine in the leaves of Wild Marjoram, leading to a characteristic scorched appearance at the leaf tips.
Pic by Klaus Rassinger, from the herbarium of Museum Wiesbaden, Scan der Sammlung, CC BY-SA 4.0
Pic by Klaus Rassinger, from the herbarium of Museum Wiesbaden, Scan der Sammlung, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hemiptera (Auchenorrhyncha): Cicadellidae: Eupteryx atropunctata. A leaf hopper, tho’ found mainly on mallow, potato & sage, also on several members of the family Lamiaceae.
Pic by Slimguy, CC BY 4.0
Pic by Slimguy, CC BY 4.0
There is a similar sp., Eupteryx origani, that occurs in dry, sunny sites, frequently on chalk downland. It lives mainly on Origanum vulgare, Wild Marjoram, but often found on Germander Speedwell. Both species overwinter as an egg. Pic By AfroBrazilian, CC BY-SA 4.0
Canthophorus dubius (syn. Sehirus dubius), Dark Blue Shield Bug, Down Shield Bug. A burrowing bug of chalk and limestone grasslands, sandy marshes & other warm, dry, open areas.
Pic By Hectonichus, CC BY-SA 3.0
Pic By Hectonichus, CC BY-SA 3.0
Tenthredo marginella, a sawfly. Larvae feed on mints, (Mentha), Plantago, Salvia, and Wild Marjoram.
Left: adult. Pic by Quartl, CC BY-SA 3.0
Right: larva. Pic by By Slimguy, CC BY-SA 4.0 (click to reveal, it's a beast!)
Left: adult. Pic by Quartl, CC BY-SA 3.0
Right: larva. Pic by By Slimguy, CC BY-SA 4.0 (click to reveal, it's a beast!)
Siona lineata, Black-veined Moth, larvae use Marjoram, Black Knapweed, & Bird’s-foot Trefoil, as found in its typical habitat of herb-rich grassland. The partly grown larva attachs itself to grass blades. A Red Data Book species.
By AfroBrazilian, CC BY-SA 4.0
By AfroBrazilian, CC BY-SA 4.0
Colostygia pectinataria, Green Carpet. Although a Bedstraw specialist, it has also been recorded using Wild Marjoram, White Deadnettle & possibly Sheep’s Sorrel, in a wide range of habitats
Pic by Frank Vassen, CC BY 2.0
Pic by Frank Vassen, CC BY 2.0
Eupithecia subumbrata,Shaded Pug, occurs on downland, breckland, flowery verges & margins, salt marsh & woodland rides; larvae feed on flowers of Wild Marjoram, Field Scabious, & Spanish Catchfly among other herbaceous species. Pic by Ben Sale, CC BY 2.0
Gymnoscelis rufifasciata, Double-striped Pug. Found in verges, hedgerows, heath & moor, woodland, larvae use a range of plants as hosts, inc. Marjoram, Sea Aster, & Clematis vitalba. The pupa overwinters in plant litter. Pic by Donald Hobern, CC BY 2.0
Scopula immorata, Lewes Wave. Presumed extinct in the UK, last seen in the heathy environs of the Vert Wood, E. Sussex, in 1961. In continental Europe, its larvae use heather, Wild Thyme and Marjoram as host. Pic by Michael Kranewitter, CC BY 2.5
Scopula marginepunctata, Mullein Wave. Denizen of rocky coastal sites, coastal grassland & marsh, larvae use a range of herbaceous plants as hosts, inc. Marjoram, Horseshoe Vetch, and Yarrow.
Pic by Ben Sale, CC BY 2.0
Pic by Ben Sale, CC BY 2.0
Scopula nigropunctata, Sub-Angled Wave. Red Data Book species, breeding populations found only in the far south east of England. P.B.M. Allan lists Wild Marjoram, Tufted Vetch, Woundwort, Speedwell and Violet as larval hosts
Pic by Hsuepfle, CC BY-SA 3.0
Pic by Hsuepfle, CC BY-SA 3.0
Scopula ornata, Lace Border. Wild Marjoram, Thyme, Mint and probably other chalk grassland Lamiaceae are used as larval hosts by this exquisitely beautiful, Nationally Scarce moth. Pic by Bernard DUPONT, CC BY-SA 2.0
Diachrysia chrysitis, Burnished Brass, ranges over a variety of habitats, & although nettle is most often used as a host, it has also been recorded on Marjoram, White Deadnettle, Lesser Burdock & Spear thistle.
Pic by Donald Hobern, CC BY 2.0
Pic by Donald Hobern, CC BY 2.0
Pyrausta aurata, Mint Moth. Several species of this genus of micromoths have a affinity with the Lamiaceae; mints, calamints & marjoram, especially in the chalk & limestone grassland habitats they often frequent. As here, on a North Yorkshire verge.
Pyrausta nigrata. The range of larval host plants is similar to those of P. aurata, but P. nigrata is more often found on chalk grassland, and less frequently on limestone
Pic by Ben Sale, CC BY 2.0
Pic by Ben Sale, CC BY 2.0
