Agonopterix assimilella

Agonopterix assimilella is a moth of the family Depressariidae. It is found in most of Europe.

A sprig of broom with stems united by the web of a larva
Larva

Agonopterix assimilella
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Depressariidae
Genus: Agonopterix
Species:
A. assimilella
Binomial name
Agonopterix assimilella
Synonyms
  • Haemylis assimilella Treitschke, 1832
  • Depressaria irrorella Stephens, 1834

The wingspan is 15–21 mm. The forewings are whitish-ochreous, often mixed with deeper ochreous or brownish, strewn with dots of blackish scales; first discal stigma blackish, second whitish, but usually obsolete, sometimes preceded by a reddish mark, across which lies often an oblique dark fuscous suffusion. Hindwings are ochreous-grey-whitish. The larva is brown; dots black; head and plate of 2 black.[2]

Adults are on wing from April to June.

The larvae feed on Cytisus scoparius. They initially feed inside the stems, but later feed externally between two green stems sewn together in parallel. Larvae can be found from October to February.[3] The species overwinters in the larval stage within the stem.[4]

Biocontrol agent in New Zealand

A. assimilella has been introduced to New Zealand to attempt to control the invasive to New Zealand plant Cytisus scoparius.[5] As at 2021 the success of the introduction of this species to New Zealand was uncertain.[6]

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Agonopterix assimilella.
  1. Fauna Europaea
  2. Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Keys and description
  3. UKmoths
  4. lepiforum.de
  5. "BCANZ · Biological Control Agents introduced to New Zealand". b3.net.nz. Retrieved 2022-05-07.
  6. "Spring Activities". Manaaki Whenua. Retrieved 2022-05-07.


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