Caryocolum alsinella is a moth of the family Gelechiidae. It is found throughout Europe[1] It is also present in North Africa (including Morocco).

Caryocolum alsinella
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Gelechiidae
Genus: Caryocolum
Species:
C. alsinella
Binomial name
Caryocolum alsinella
(Zeller, 1868)
Synonyms
  • Gelechia alsinella Zeller, 1868
  • Lita alsinella
  • Phthorimaea alsinella
  • Lita albifrontella Heinemann, 1870
  • Lita tristella Heinemann, 1870
  • Lita semidecandriella Tutt, 1887
  • Gelechia semidecandrella
  • Phthorimaea semidecandrella

The length of the forewings is 4–5 mm.Differs from Caryocolum proxima as follows: forewings somewhat narrower, a distinctly marked black dot in disc before costal bar, posterior fascia not angulated, forming two direct opposite spots. Larva pale yellowish ; head black ; 2 red-brown, plate black.[2]

Adults have been recorded on wing from late June to late September.[3]

The larvae feed on Arenaria montana, Cerastium arvense, Cerastium diffusum, Cerastium fontanum, Cerastium semidecandrum, Minuartia verna, Moehringia and Stellaria species. Young larvae mine the leaves of their host plant.[4]

References

edit
  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
  3. ^ Huemer, P (1988). "A taxonomic revision of Caryocolum (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)". Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Entomology. 57: 439–571.
  4. ^ "bladmineerders.nl". Archived from the original on 2014-07-19. Retrieved 2013-09-04.