Phyllocnistis unipunctella

Phyllocnistis unipunctella is a moth of the family Gracillariidae. It is known from all of Europe.

Phyllocnistis unipunctella
Phyllocnistis unipunctella, Deeside, North Wales.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Gracillariidae
Genus: Phyllocnistis
Species:
P. unipunctella
Binomial name
Phyllocnistis unipunctella
(Stephens, 1834)[1]
Synonyms
  • Argyromiges unipunctella Stephens, 1834
  • Opostega suffusella Zeller, 1847
Damage

The wingspan is 7–8 mm. A whitish moth with yellowish suffusion and a distinct black spot near the wing apex. The forewings are shining white, posteriorly more or less ochreous-tinged; often a suffused spot on dorsum near base and a larger one in middle of disc dark fuscous; a transverse dark fuscous line at 2/3, preceded by one and followed by two dark fuscous streaks from costa; a round black apical dot; three dark fuscous diverging bars in apical cilia. Hindwings are light grey. The larva is pale green.[2][3][4]


Adults are on wing in July and from September onwards, sometimes overwintering in haystacks.[5]

The larvae feed on Populus balsmifera, Populus x canadensis, Populus candicans, Populus deltoides, Populus euphratica, Populus gileadensis, Populus nigra, Populus simonii, Populus suaveolens and Populus trichocarpa. They mine the leaves of their host plant.[6]

References

edit
  1. ^ Fauna Europaea
  2. ^ Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Keys and description
  3. ^ Kuznetsov V.I., 1990 Gracillariidae ; in G.S. Medvedev (ed.): Keys to the insects of the europaean part of the USSR, Vol.IV: Lepidoptera, part 2 (english translation), Oxonian Press Pvt.Ltd., New Dehli, 1987
  4. ^ Heath, J. & Emmet, A. M. (Hrsg.) (1985): The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland. Volume 2: Cossidae – Heliodinidae. Harley Books, Colchester, Essex.
  5. ^ UKmoths
  6. ^ bladmineerders.nl