Argyresthia alternatella
Argyresthia alternatella is a moth of the family Yponomeutidae. It is found in North America, including Arkansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Quebec and Texas.
| Argyresthia alternatella | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Argyresthiidae |
| Genus: | Argyresthia |
| Species: | A. alternatella |
| Binomial name | |
| Argyresthia alternatella | |
The wingspan is 10–12 mm. The forewings are golden-ochreous. There are five brown spots on the costa and three similar spots on the dorsal margin. There is also a streak of brown on the dorsum at the base and the apex of the wing is lightly reticulated with this colour. The hindwings are light fuscous.[2]
The larvae feed on Juniperus species.[3] Young larvae bore into the seed of their host plant while the seed-coat is still soft. They consume many of the seeds. Full-grown larvae feed on the fleshy portion of the berries. Pupation usually takes place outside of the berry in a white, silken cocoon.
References