Agonopterix propinquella (Treitschke, 1835) Species
Last modified: Nov. 28, 2024, 2:41 p.m.
A rather common species in the northern part of Belgium, a rather rare species in the south.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Depressariidae > Subfamily: Depressariinae > Genus: Agonopterix > Species: Agonopterix propinquella
- Vernacular names
- Zwartvlekkaartmot (NL), Distel-Flachleibmotte (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 128 (as D.[epressaria] Propinquella. Tr.). view page
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 16-19 mm.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
Mine
The young larva mines the underside of a leaf, visible from above as a brown patch.
See also bladmineerders.be
Bionomics
Later instars of the caterpillar spin a slight web on the underside of the leaves.
Pupation in autumn in the feeding place or in a cocoon in the earth close to the food plant.
The species hibernate in the adult stage. The moths hide during the day but become active in the evening. They occasionally come to light.
Flight periods
One generation a year from September till July of the following year.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Cirsium vulgare and Cirsium arvense
- Host plant (genera):
- Carduus, Arctium, Centaurea and Serratula
Several species of thistles with a preference for Cirsium vulgare or C. arvense.
Habitat
Ruderal places, open grassland, waste ground.
