Agonopterix rotundella

Agonopterix rotundella is a moth of the family Depressariidae and is found in most of Europe. It was first described from moths found in Surrey, England by the entomologist John Douglas in 1846.[2]

Agonopterix rotundella
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Depressariidae
Genus:
Agonopterix
Species:
A. rotundella
Binomial name
Agonopterix rotundella
(Douglas, 1846)[1]
Synonyms
  • Depressaria rotundella Douglas, 1846
  • Depressaria peloritanella Zeller, 1847

Imago

The wingspan is 14–17 mm.The forewings are rather narrow, pale greyish -ochreous, sometimes somewhat fuscous sprinkled posteriorly ; subbasal mark of dorsum reduced to a dark fuscous dot ; first discal stigma absent, a black dot obliquely before and above its usual position, second black dark fuscous terminal dots, sometimes indistinct. Hindwings whitish-grey, darker terminally.The larva is green ; dorsal and subdorsal lines darker ; head and plate of 2 black[3]

Adults are on wing from September to May, overwintering as an adult. [4]

Eggs

In Great Britain and Ireland, eggs are laid on the leaves of wild carrot (Daucus carota) during May.[2] Elsewhere in Europe eggs are also laid on Laserpitium gallicum and Distichoselinum tenuifolium.[5]

Larva

Larva can be found from June to August. Initially they mine the leaves of their host plant in the form of a small, irregular full depth corridor.[5] Older larvae vacate their mines and continue feeding in a folded leaf, sewn with white silk. The silk can often be seen at the edge of the habitation. Early instars are a dull yellowish green with a black head. On the later instars the body is apple green with dark greyish green lines and a black head.[4]

Similar species

The intermediate and later instars of A. ciliella feed on a variety of umbelliferous plants; larvae of this species and A. rotundella should be reared to confirm the identification.[6]

Pupa

Found in the soil or amongst detritus.[2]

Distribution

The moth is found in most of Europe, except Fennoscandia and most of the Balkan Peninsula.[1] In Britain, although the type species was found inland it is now confined to coasts. Also found in Iran and Turkey.[2]

References
  1. "Agonopterix rotundella (Douglas, 1846)". Fauna Europaea. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  2. Emmet, A Maitland; Langmaid, John R; Bland, K P; Fletcher, D S; Harley, B H; Robinson, G S; Skinner, Bernard; Tremewan, W S, eds. (2002). The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland. Volume 4, Part 1. Colchester: Harley Books. pp. 173–74. ISBN 0 946589 66 6.
  3. Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Keys and description
  4. Kimber, Ian; Smith, Ian F. "Agonopterix rotundella (Douglas, 1846)". UKmoths. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  5. Ellis, W N. "Agonopterix rotundella (Douglas, 1846)". Plant Parasites of Europe. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  6. Kimber, Ian; Smith, Ian F. "Agonopterix ciliella (Stainton, 1849)". UKmoths. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
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