Yponomeuta cagnagella, the spindle ermine, is a moth from the family Yponomeutidae, the ermine moths. The wingspan of the moth ranges from 19 to 26 millimetres. The head is white. Forewings are white; four longitudinal series of few black dots, first not reaching middle, second beginning near before middle, lowest including 4-7 dots; some additional black dots before termen; cilia white. Hindwings are dark grey. The larva is pale greyish-yellowish; spots black; head black.[2]

Spindle ermine
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Yponomeutidae
Genus: Yponomeuta
Species:
Y. cagnagella
Binomial name
Yponomeuta cagnagella
(Hübner, 1813)[1]
Synonyms
  • Tinea cagnagella Hubner, 1813
  • Nygmia cognatella Hubner, 1825
  • Yponomeuta cagnagellus

Flight time ranges from the end of June to October. The moth is attracted to light.

Host plant

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The host plant of this moth is European spindle. Other ermine moths that use this plant as their host are Yponomeuta plumbella and Yponomeuta irrorella.

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