Gelechia senticetella (Staudinger, 1859) Species
Last modified: Feb. 26, 2024, 8:05 p.m.
First observation for Belgium in 1986 in Niel (AN). A fairly common species in the northern part of Belgium, elsewhere rare. The species is supposed to have been imported with its food plant.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Gelechiidae > Subfamily: Gelechiinae > Tribus: Gelechiini > Genus: Gelechia > Species: Gelechia senticetella
- Vernacular names
- Zwarte haakpalpmot (NL), Cypress Gelechia, Cypress Groundling (EN), Zypressen-Palpenmotte (DE)
- First mention in Belgium
- De Prins W. 1989. Enkele soorten Microlepidoptera nieuw voor de Belgische fauna (Lepidoptera: Opostegidae, Ochsenheimeriidae, Coleophoridae, Gelechiidae, Cochylidae, Pterophoridae). — Phegea 17(2): 49–52. On page 50. view page
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 12–15 mm.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
Bionomics
The early instar larvae mine, but soon they live free in a dense spinning which is conspicious with granules of frass caught up in silken threads. Affected twigs eventually become discoloured or break off. Pupation in a sturdy white cocoon, sometimes in the larval habitation, but more frequently among leaves or on the ground.
The adults come to light.
Flight periods
The adults usually fly from early June towards late August, occasionally later.
Observed on
- Host plant (genera):
- Chamaecyparis, Thuja and Juniperus
The larva lives on Chamaecyparis lawsoniana and other species of Chamaecyparis also on Thuja and Juniperus.
Habitat
It inhabits gardens, parks and land with coniferous scrub.
