Argyresthia goedartella
Argyresthia goedartella, the bronze alder moth, is a moth of the family Yponomeutidae.
Argyresthia goedartella | |
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Argyresthia goedartella, upperside | |
Lateral view | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Argyresthiidae |
Genus: | Argyresthia |
Species: | A. goedartella |
Binomial name | |
Argyresthia goedartella | |
Synonyms[1] | |
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Distribution
This very common species can be found in most of Europe and in North America.[2][3][4][5]
Description
Argyresthia goedartella has a wingspan of 10–13 mm.[6][7] These tiny moths have pale ochreous head with white antennae and white forewings with coppery-golden markings. A characteristic coppery-golden Y-shaped marking is present in the middle of the wings.[6] Hindwings are dark gray. Abdomen is grayish fuscous, while legs are brownish white.[7]
Biology
It is a univoltine species. These moths fly from May to October. They fly at night and on sunny afternoons and mainly feed on the nectar of tansy (Tanacetum vulgare).[6] The larvae feed on birch (Betua species) and alder (Alnus glutinosa).[3] They overwinter in a shoot or hard male catkin of the host plants. In late March or April, larvae congregate and pupate in a cocoon under the bark.[6][7]
References
- Lepiforum.de
- Fauna Europaea
- Funet - Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and some other life forms
- Moth Photographers Group
- Butterflies and Moths of North America
- UK Moths
- "Entomology Collection - University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum". Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
Notes
External links
Media related to Argyresthia goedartella at Wikimedia Commons - waarneming.nl (in Dutch)
- Lepidoptera of Belgium
- Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet (in Swedish)
- Commanster