Agonopterix assimilella is a moth of the family Depressariidae. It is found in most of Europe.
| Agonopterix assimilella | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Depressariidae |
| Genus: | Agonopterix |
| Species: | A. assimilella
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| Binomial name | |
| Agonopterix assimilella (Treitschke, 1832)[1]
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| Synonyms | |
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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. 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
editA. 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
edit
- ^ Fauna Europaea
- ^ 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
- ^ UKmoths
- ^ lepiforum.de
- ^ "BCANZ · Biological Control Agents introduced to New Zealand". b3.net.nz. Retrieved 2022-05-07.
- ^ "Spring Activities". Manaaki Whenua. Retrieved 2022-05-07.