Agonopterix assimilella

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Agonopterix assimilella
32.024 BF702 Agonopterix assimilella (5755828509).jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Depressariidae
Genus: Agonopterix
Species:
A. assimilella
Binomial name
Agonopterix assimilella
(Treitschke, 1832) [1]
Synonyms
  • Haemylis assimilellaTreitschke, 1832
  • Depressaria irrorellaStephens, 1834

Agonopterix assimilella is a moth of the family Depressariidae. It is found in most of Europe.

A sprig of broom with stems united by the web of a larva 2017 03 29 Agonopterix assimilella2.jpg
A sprig of broom with stems united by the web of a larva
Larva 32.024 BF702 Agonopterix assimilella (4581590495).jpg
Larva

The wingspan is 15–21 mm. The forewings are whitish-ochreous, often mixed with deeper ochreous or brownish, strewn with dots of blackish scales; first discal stigma blackish, second whitish, but usually obsolete, sometimes preceded by a reddish mark, across which lies often an oblique dark fuscous suffusion. Hindwings are ochreous-grey-whitish. The larva is brown; dots black; head and plate of 2 black. [2]

Adults are on wing from April to June.

The larvae feed on Cytisus scoparius . They initially feed inside the stems, but later feed externally between two green stems sewn together in parallel. Larvae can be found from October to February. [3] The species overwinters in the larval stage within the stem. [4]

Biocontrol agent in New Zealand

A. assimilella has been introduced to New Zealand to attempt to control the invasive to New Zealand plant Cytisus scoparius . [5] As at 2021 the success of the introduction of this species to New Zealand was uncertain. [6]

Related Research Articles

<i>Cytisus scoparius</i> Ornamental broom shrub

Cytisus scoparius, the common broom or Scotch broom, is a deciduous leguminous shrub native to western and central Europe. In Britain and Ireland, the standard name is broom; this name is also used for other members of the Genisteae tribe, such as French broom or Spanish broom; and the term common broom is sometimes used for clarification. In other English-speaking countries, the most common name is "Scotch broom" ; however, it is known as English broom in Australia.

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<i>Sabatinca calliarcha</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

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<i>Pyroderces aellotricha</i> Species of moth

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<i>Agonopterix ciliella</i> Species of moth

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<i>Agonopterix subpropinquella</i> Species of moth

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<i>Agonopterix kaekeritziana</i> Species of moth

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<i>Cochylichroa atricapitana</i> Species of moth

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<i>Scrobipalpa obsoletella</i> Species of moth

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<i>Ichneutica morosa</i> Species of moth

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<i>Ichneutica steropastis</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Ichneutica steropastis, or the flax notcher moth, is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the country from the Three Kings Islands to Stewart Island as well as in the Chatham Islands. The larvae of this species feed on a variety of native and introduced plants however the New Zealand flax is one of the more well known host plants for the larvae of this moth. The larvae are nocturnal, hiding away in the base of the plants and coming out to feed at night. They create a distinctive notch in the leaf when they feed. The adults of this species are on the wing from October to March. Although adult specimens of I. steropastis are relatively easy to recognise they might possibly be confused with I. inscripta, I. theobroma or with darker forms of I. arotis. However I. steropastis can be distinguished as it has a long dark basal forewing streak that these three species lack.

<i>Anisoplaca ptyoptera</i> Species of moth endemic to New Zealand

Anisoplaca ptyoptera is a species of moth in the family Gelechiidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1885 and is endemic to New Zealand. This species is found throughout the North and South Islands and prefers habitat where its host plants are common. The larval hosts of this moth are species in the genus Carmichaelia and the larvae stem mine the host plant. However larvae have also been observed feeding on gorse species and as a result their potential as a biological control for gorse has been researched. This behaviour has only been recorded in the Canterbury and Otago regions. A. ptyoptera overwinters as larvae and while in that life stage can be parasitised by species of wasp in the genera Zealachertus and Diadegma. Pupation begins in October. Adult moths are on the wing from October until May with peak emergence occurring in January. The adult moths come in two size classes and should the size of the female be in the larger class fecundity is improved. It is likely that this species has only one brood a year.

References

  1. Fauna Europaea
  2. Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain . Keys and description
  3. UKmoths
  4. lepiforum.de
  5. "BCANZ · Biological Control Agents introduced to New Zealand". b3.net.nz. Retrieved 2022-05-07.
  6. "Spring Activities". Manaaki Whenua. Retrieved 2022-05-07.