Agonopterix nervosa

Gorse tip moth
Adult in Hellerup, Denmark
Illustration from Stainton's Natural History of the Tineina
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Depressariidae
Genus: Agonopterix
Species:
A. nervosa
Binomial name
Agonopterix nervosa
(Haworth, 1811)
Synonyms

Numerous, see text

The gorse tip moth (Agonopterix nervosa) is a smallish moth species of the family Depressariidae.[1]

It is found in Europe and North America.

The wingspan is 16–22 mm. Terminal joint of palpi with two blackish bands. Forewings are light brown, somewhat whitish-sprinkled, sometimes slightly reddish-tinged; numerous dark fuscous dashes; two indicating discal stigmata, between which is sometimes a line of pale scales; an obscure pale very acutely angulated fascia at 3/4. Hindwings fuscous-whitish, more fuscous posteriorly; 5 connate with stalk of 3 and 4.The larva is dark bluish -grey; lateral line orange-yellow; spots black, white-circled; head black; plate of 2 black, bisected, anterior edge whitish.[2]

Adults fly from July to September depending on the location.

The caterpillars feed on brooms, namely of the genera Cytisus, Genista, Laburnum (golden chains) and Ulex (gorses).[1]

Synonyms

Obsolete scientific names of the gorse tip moth are:[1]

  • Agonopteryx blackmori Busck, 1922
  • Agonopterix boicella (Freyer, 1835)
  • Depressaria costosa Haworth, 1811
  • Tinea depunctella Hübner, [1813])
  • Depressaria dryadoxena Meyrick, 1920
  • Depressaria costosa ab. venosata Kautz, 1930
  • Depressaria nervosa Haworth, 1811 (In older (19th-century) sources, this name is often misapplied to Depressaria daucella)
  • Agonopterix rubricella Millière, 1876
  • Depressaria obscurana Weber, 1945
  • Tortrix spartiana Hübner, [1813]

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b c See references in Savela (2008)
  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

References

  • Savela, Markku (2003): Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and some other life forms – Agonopterix nervosa. Version of 2008-JUL-18. Retrieved 2010-APR-24.