Argyresthia pygmaeella

Argyresthia pygmaeella
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Argyresthiidae
Genus: Argyresthia
Species:
A. pygmaeella
Binomial name
Argyresthia pygmaeella
Synonyms
  • Tinea pygmaeella Denis & Schiffermuller, 1775
  • Argyresthia (Argyresthia) pygmaeella
  • Tinea rudolphella Esper, 1791

Argyresthia pygmaeella is a moth of the family Yponomeutidae. The species was first described by Michael Denis and Ignaz Schiffermüller in 1775 from a specimen found near Vienna, Austria

Description

The wingspan is 11–14 mm. Forewings are white, with golden or brown markings, while hind wings are grey. Legs and antennae are white. Meyrick- Head and thorax ochreous-whitish, patagia golden. Forewings shining golden whitish; a dorsal spot at 1/3 connected with base by a streak along fold, an outwardly oblique streak from middle of dorsum, and a tornal spot shining golden. Hindwings grey.[1]

They fly in a single generation from May to August, depending on location.[2]

Biology

Eggs are laid on willows and the larvae overwinter in leaf-buds until April when they bore into a shoot, causing it to droop. They can also feed on catkins. When full grown in May or June the larvae are 11 mm long with a green body and dark-brown to black head, prothoracic and anal shields. Pupation takes place either in the feeding place or on the ground in May or June.[3]

Recorded food plants include goat willow (Salix caprea) and grey willow (Salix cinerea)[4]

Habitat

In North America these moths mainly live in mountainous areas, but are also present in prairies with the host plants.[2]

Distribution

This species can be found in Europe, northern Asia and North America.[2][3] [5]

References

  1. ^ Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Keys and description
  2. ^ a b c Shpeley, D. (2004). "Species Details Argyresthia pygmaeella". University of Alberta Museums. E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Emmet, A M (1996). Heath, John (ed.). The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland. Volume 3. Colchester: Harley Books. pp. 80–81. ISBN 0-946589-56-9.
  4. ^ Kimber, Ian. "20.013 BF412 Argyresthia pygmaeella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)". UKmoths. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  5. ^ "Argyresthia (Argyresthia) pygmaeella (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)". Fauna Europaea. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
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