Pexicopia malvella, the hollyhock seed moth, is a moth of the family Gelechiidae. It was described by Jacob Hübner in 1805. It is found in almost all of Europe.[1][2]

Pexicopia malvella
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Gelechiidae
Genus: Pexicopia
Species:
P. malvella
Binomial name
Pexicopia malvella
(Hübner, [1805])
Synonyms
  • Tinea malvella Hübner, [1805]
  • Recurvaria lutarea Haworth, 1828

The wingspan is 17–20 mm. Adults are on wing from early June to mid-August.

The larvae feed inside the seeds of Malva species, Althaea officinalis and Alcea rosea. The species overwinters in a cocoon constructed within the seed.[3]

References

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