Micropterix tunbergella (Fabricius, 1787) Species
Last modified: Dec. 17, 2024, 1:01 p.m.
A very rare rare species in Belgium. It has its stronghold in the provinces of NA and LX.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Micropterigidae > Genus: Micropterix > Species: Micropterix tunbergella
- Vernacular names
- Bosoermot (NL), Red-barred Gold, Red-barred Pollen-moth (EN)
- Synonyms
- Micropterix thunbergella (Fabricius, 1794) , Micropterix depictella (Herrich-Schäffer, 1855) and Micropterix anderschella sensu auct.
- First mention in Belgium
- De Fré Ch. 1858. Catalogue des Microlépidoptères de la Belgique. — Annales de la Société entomologique belge 2: 45–162. On page 115 (as M.[icropteryx] [sic] Depictella F. V. R.; H. S.). view page
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
This species is an attractive tiny moth having a wingspan of 9–11 mm. It wears purplish markings on a metallic golden ground colour and has an orange-tufted head.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
Caterpillar
The caterpillar is still unknown.
Bionomics
The life cycle is still unknown. The imago is day-active and can be found feeding on pollen of the flowers of herbaceous plants. Especially the inflorescences of Quercus spp., Acer pseudoplatanus and Crataegus spp. are mentioned.
Flight periods
The adults fly from mid-April till early June.
Observed on
The hostplant of the larva is unknown.
Habitat
The species occurs in areas with mixed deciduous forest on sandy and calcareous soils.
