Nematopogon swammerdamella

Nematopogon swammerdamella is a moth of the family Adelidae.

Nematopogon swammerdamella
Male
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Adelidae
Genus:
Nematopogon
Species:
N. swammerdamella
Binomial name
Nematopogon swammerdamella
Synonyms
  • Phalaena swammerdamella Linnaeus, 1758
  • Nematopogon swammerdamellus (lapsus)
  • Nemophora reaumurella Peyerimhoff, 1870

Description

The moth has long, pale shining ochreous, faintly darker strigulated forewings and long antennae. The hindwings are pale grey; cilia whitish-ochreous. Head orange, face whitish. The wingspan is 17–21 mm.[1] To certainly determine the species of the genus Nematopogon dissection and study of the genitalia is necessary.

The moth flies from late April to June. The moth is only active in the late afternoon and dusk.[2] Nematopogon schwarziellus, Nematopogon pilella, and Nematopogon metaxella are similar to this species.[3]

Habitat and range

It is found throughout most of Europe, except the Balkan Peninsula, Greece, Iceland and Ukraine. It can commonly be found throughout the British Isles in woodland.[4] The species has also been known to live in hedgerows, moorland, heathland, and other open habitats.

Caterpillars

The caterpillars feed on decaying plant matter and various herbaceous plants.[3] Older caterpillars live in a bivalved case on the ground. They hibernate twice and pupate inside the case.[2]

Etymology

The name honours the Dutch scientist Jan Swammerdam.

References
  1. 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
  2. "Nematopogon swammerdamella (Linnaeus, 1758)". Catalogue of the Lepidoptera of Belgium. Retrieved 2010-05-30.
  3. "140 Nematopogon swammerdamella, (Linnaeus, 1758)". Huntingdonshire Moth & Butterfly Group. Retrieved 2010-05-30.
  4. "140 Nematopogon swammerdamella (Linnaeus, 1758)". UK moths. Retrieved 2010-05-30.

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