Argyresthia goedartella, the bronze alder moth, is a species of moth of the family Argyresthiidae.
Bronze alder moth | |
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Argyresthia goedartella, upperside | |
Lateral view | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Argyresthiidae |
Genus: | Argyresthia |
Species: | A. goedartella
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Binomial name | |
Argyresthia goedartella | |
Synonyms[1] | |
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Distribution
editThis very common species can be found in most of Europe and in North America.[2][3][4][5]
Description
editArgyresthia goedartella has a wingspan of 10–13 mm.[6][7] These tiny moths have pale ochreous head with white antennae and white forewings with coppery-golden markings. A characteristic coppery-golden Y-shaped marking is present in the middle of the wings.[6] Hindwings are dark gray. Abdomen is grayish fuscous, while legs are brownish white.[7]
Biology
editIt is a univoltine species. These moths fly from May to October.[1] They fly at night and on sunny afternoons and mainly feed on the nectar of tansy (Tanacetum vulgare).[6] The larvae feed on birch (Betula species) and alder (Alnus glutinosa).[3] They overwinter in a shoot or hard male catkin of the host plants. In late March or April, larvae congregate and pupate in a cocoon under the bark.[6][7]
References
edit- ^ Lepiforum.de
- ^ Fauna Europaea
- ^ a b Funet - Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and some other life forms
- ^ Moth Photographers Group
- ^ Butterflies and Moths of North America
- ^ a b c d UK Moths
- ^ a b c Shpeley, D. (2004). "Species Details Argyresthia goedartella". University of Alberta Museums. E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
Notes
edit- ^ The flight season refers to Belgium and The Netherlands. This may vary in other parts of the range.
External links
edit- Media related to Argyresthia goedartella at Wikimedia Commons
- waarneming.nl (in Dutch)
- Lepidoptera of Belgium
- Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet (in Swedish)
- Commanster