Phyllonorycter rajella is a moth of the family Gracillariidae. It is known from all of Europe, except the Iberian Peninsula and Greece.
| Phyllonorycter rajella | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Gracillariidae |
| Genus: | Phyllonorycter |
| Species: | P. rajella
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| Binomial name | |
| Phyllonorycter rajella | |
| Synonyms | |
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The wingspan is 7–9 mm. The forewings are fuscous or ochreous, in the female more whitish towards base; a pointed white median streak from base to middle, edged with dark fuscous above; four costal and three dorsal posterior shining white wedge-shaped spots, edged anteriorly and first costal posteriorly with dark fuscous, first dorsal broad, before first costal; a round black apical dot; an ill-defined dark hook in apical cilia. Hindwings are grey. The larva is greenish-white; dorsal line green; head pale brown [2]
There are two generations per year with adults on wing in May and again in August.[3]
The larvae feed on Alnus cordata, Alnus glutinosa, Alnus incana, Alnus oregona and Alnus viridis, mining the leaves of their host plant. They create a lower-surface tentiform mine, usually in the axle of a thick lateral vein and there is one strong lengthwise fold. Pupation takes place in a tough off-white cocoon that is attached to the floor and the roof of the mine. Most frass is incorporated in the sides of the cocoon.[4]
References edit
- ^ Fauna Europaea
- ^ 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
- ^ Kimber, Ian. "15.067 BF345 Phyllonorycter rajella". ukmoths. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- ^ Ellis, W N. "Phyllonorycter rajella". Plant Parasites of Europe. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
External links edit
Media related to Phyllonorycter rajella at Wikimedia Commons
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