Agonopterix alstroemeriana

Agonopterix alstroemeriana
Hemlock Moth
A well-camouflaged adult
Mounted Adult
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Oecophoridae (disputed)
Genus: Agonopterix
Species: A. alstroemeriana
Binomial name
Agonopterix alstroemeriana
(Clerck, 1759)
Synonyms
  • Phalaena alstroemeriana Clerck, 1759
  • Agonopterix alstroemeriana

The Hemlock Moth, also known as the Defoliating Hemlock Moth or Poison Hemlock Moth, is a moth species of the family Oecophoridae (concealer moths). Therein, it belongs to the subfamily Depressariinae, which is (particularly in older sources) sometimes placed in the related family Elachistidae instead, or elevated to a full family Depressariidae within the Gelechioidea. Of Palaearctic origin, it was first found in North America in 1973 when it was accidentally introduced.

Caterpillars
Leaf tips of Conium maculatum folded by the larva

It has been used in biological control of the lethally toxic Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum), which is eaten by its caterpillars (larvae). The larval form grows to about 12 mm, while the adults wingspan is between 17 mm and 19 mm.

References

External links

Media related to Agonopterix alstroemeriana at Wikimedia Commons

External identifiers for Agonopterix alstroemeriana
EOL 936051
Also found in: Wikispecies
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