Pexicopia malvella (Hübner, 1805) Species
Last modified: Feb. 26, 2024, 5:49 p.m.
A rare and local species in Belgium.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Gelechiidae > Subfamily: Apatetrinae > Tribus: Pexicopiini > Genus: Pexicopia > Species: Pexicopia malvella
- Vernacular names
- Heemstzaadmot (NL), Malven-Palpenmotte (DE)
- Synonyms
- Pexicopia lutarea (Haworth, 1828)
- First mention in Belgium
- Janmoulle E. 1949a. Remarques sur la faune belge (suite). — Lambillionea 49: 19–20. On page 19.
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 16–19 mm.
Museum specimens
No pictures yet!Specimens in nature
Caterpillar
Head black; prothoracic plate dark reddish brown or black; abdomen dull whitish with irregular, light reddish dorsal and subdorsal lines; anal plate semi-translucent; pinacula brownish red (Gregersen & Karsholt 2022).
Bionomics
The larva feeds on the unripe seeds of the host plant, often three to four in one sead head. It overwinteres in a spherical shell and only in spring builds an elongated cocoon for metamorphosis deep in of the earth.
The adults become active around dusk and fly around the host plant and later come to light.
Flight periods
The adults have been seen from late May towards late August.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Althaea officinalis and Alcea rosea
- Host plant (genera):
- Malva
The larva lives on Alcea rosea, Althaea officinalis, Malva alcea, Malva sylvestris, Malva pusilla, Malva multiflora, Malva neglecta and Hibiscus syriacus.
Habitat
It inhabits gardens, parks, waste ground and road sides.
