Argyresthia pygmaeella
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
Argyresthia pygmaeella | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Argyresthiidae |
Genus: | Argyresthia |
Species: | A. pygmaeella |
Binomial name | |
Argyresthia pygmaeella (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) | |
Synonyms | |
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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. They fly in a single generation from May to August, depending on location.[1]
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.[2]
Recorded food plants include goat willow (Salix caprea) and grey willow (Salix cinerea)[3]
Habitat
In North America these moths mainly live in mountainous areas, but are also present in prairies with the host plants.[1]
References
- Shpeley, D. (2004). "Species Details Argyresthia pygmaeella". University of Alberta Museums. E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
- 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.
- Kimber, Ian. "20.013 BF412 Argyresthia pygmaeella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)". UKmoths. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- "Argyresthia (Argyresthia) pygmaeella (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)". Fauna Europaea. Retrieved 29 December 2019.