Phyllocnistis unipunctella

Phyllocnistis unipunctella is a moth of the family Gracillariidae. It is known from all of Europe.

Phyllocnistis unipunctella
Phyllocnistis unipunctella, Deeside, North Wales.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Gracillariidae
Genus: Phyllocnistis
Species:
P. unipunctella
Binomial name
Phyllocnistis unipunctella
(Stephens, 1834)[1]
Synonyms
  • Argyromiges unipunctella Stephens, 1834
  • Opostega suffusella Zeller, 1847
Damage

The wingspan is 7–8 mm. A whitish moth with yellowish suffusion and a distinct black spot near the wing apex. The forewings are shining white, posteriorly more or less ochreous-tinged; often a suffused spot on dorsum near base and a larger one in middle of disc dark fuscous; a transverse dark fuscous line at 2/3, preceded by one and followed by two dark fuscous streaks from costa; a round black apical dot; three dark fuscous diverging bars in apical cilia. Hindwings are light grey. The larva is pale green.[2]

Adults are on wing in July and from September onwards, sometimes overwintering in haystacks.[3]

The larvae feed on Populus balsmifera, Populus x canadensis, Populus candicans, Populus deltoides, Populus euphratica, Populus gileadensis, Populus nigra, Populus simonii, Populus suaveolens and Populus trichocarpa. They 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. ^ UKmoths
  4. ^ bladmineerders.nl