Nemophora minimella (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Species
Last modified: Feb. 22, 2024, 3:30 p.m.
A very rare and local species in Belgium.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Adelidae > Subfamily: Adelinae > Genus: Nemophora > Species: Nemophora minimella
- Vernacular names
- Blauweknooplangsprietmot (NL), Small Long-horn (EN), Zwerg-Langhornfalter (DE)
- 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 117 (as N.[emotois] Minimellus. W. V.). view page
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 10–12 mm. Forewings with a short but conspicuous black baseline. The male has long, black hairs on the palps, head with some black hairs; head of the female ochreous yellow.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
Genitalia
Caterpillar
Whitish with transparent skin. Head and the three thoracic plates shining black.
Case
A long oval case, somewhat constricted in the centre, up to 8 mm long. Small plant particles and soil are used to enlarge it during growth.
Bionomics
The eggs are oviposited in the flowers of Succisa pratensis. Caterpillars have been observed feeding till hibernation an they continue feeding during wintertime under warmer conditions. The adults often sit on the flowers of other plants than the food plant, like Angelica sylvestris, and swarms of males have been observed during warm and moist weather conditions.
Flight periods
One generation a year from July till mid-August.
Habitat
Wet habitats where the food plant grows.
