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
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Argyresthiidae
Genus: Argyresthia
Species:
A. pygmaeella
Binomial name
Argyresthia pygmaeella
Synonyms
  • Tinea pygmaeella Denis & Schiffermuller, 1775
  • Argyresthia (Argyresthia) pygmaeella
  • Tinea rudolphella Esper, 1791

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]

Distribution

This species can be found in Europe, northern Asia and North America.[1][2] [4]

References
  1. Shpeley, D. (2004). "Species Details Argyresthia pygmaeella". University of Alberta Museums. E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  2. 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.
  3. Kimber, Ian. "20.013 BF412 Argyresthia pygmaeella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)". UKmoths. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  4. "Argyresthia (Argyresthia) pygmaeella (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)". Fauna Europaea. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
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