Agonopterix assimilella

Agonopterix assimilella is a moth of the family Depressariidae. It is found in most of Europe.

Agonopterix assimilella
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Depressariidae
Genus: Agonopterix
Species:
A. assimilella
Binomial name
Agonopterix assimilella
Synonyms
  • Haemylis assimilella Treitschke, 1832
  • Depressaria irrorella Stephens, 1834
A sprig of broom with stems united by the web of a larva
Larva

The wingspan is 15–21 mm. The forewings are whitish-ochreous, often mixed with deeper ochreous or brownish, strewn with dots of blackish scales; first discal stigma blackish, second whitish, but usually obsolete, sometimes preceded by a reddish mark, across which lies often an oblique dark fuscous suffusion. Hindwings are ochreous-grey-whitish. The larva is brown; dots black; head and plate of 2 black.[2]

Adults are on wing from April to June.

The larvae feed on Cytisus scoparius. Larvae can be found from October to February.[3] The species overwinters in the larval stage within the stem.[4]

Biocontrol agent in New Zealand

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A. assimilella has been introduced to New Zealand to attempt to control the invasive to New Zealand plant Cytisus scoparius.[5] As at 2021 the success of the introduction of this species to New Zealand was uncertain.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Fauna Europaea
  2. ^ 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
  3. ^ UKmoths
  4. ^ lepiforum.de
  5. ^ "BCANZ · Biological Control Agents introduced to New Zealand". b3.net.nz. Retrieved 2022-05-07.
  6. ^ "Spring Activities". Manaaki Whenua. Retrieved 2022-05-07.