Acrolophus popeanella (Clemens' grass tubeworm moth) is a moth of the family Acrolophidae.[1] It was described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1859.

Clemens' grass tubeworm moth
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Tineidae
Genus: Acrolophus
Species:
A. popeanella
Binomial name
Acrolophus popeanella
(Clemens, 1859)
Synonyms
  • Anaphora popeanella Clemens, 1859
  • Anaphora agrotipennella Grote, 1872
  • Anaphora scardina Zeller, 1873
  • Anaphora morrisoni Walsingham, 1887
  • Anaphora confusellus Dyar, 1900

Description

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Adults of Acrolophus popleanella have dark brown wings with lighter brown blotches and a striped pattern near the lowermost margin of the forewings. Their wings are held folded in a tent-like formation over their bodies when at rest. They have a wingspan of 24-33 mm and are 11 to 14 mm long. A tuft of elongated, hairlike scales give them a "helmeted" appearance.[2]

Range and Habitat

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A. popeanella is found in the eastern United States, from New Jersey and Ohio south to Florida and west to Illinois, Nebraska and Texas. They are commonly observed in a variety of environments, including grasslands, agricultural areas and urban environments.[2]

Ecology

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The larvae feed on the roots of Trifolium pratense.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Beccaloni, G.; Scoble, M.; Kitching, I.; Simonsen, T.; Robinson, G.; Pitkin, B.; Hine, A.; Lyal, C., eds. (2003). "​Acrolophus popeanella​". The Global Lepidoptera Names Index. Natural History Museum.
  2. ^ a b "Moths of North Carolina". auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  3. ^ Bug Guide