Agonopterix assimilella explained

Agonopterix assimilella is a moth of the family Depressariidae. It is found in most of Europe.

The wingspan is 15–21 mm. The forewings are whitish-ochreous, often mixed with deeper ochreous or brownish, strewn with dots of blackish scales; first discal stigma blackish, second whitish, but usually obsolete, sometimes preceded by a reddish mark, across which lies often an oblique dark fuscous suffusion. Hindwings are ochreous-grey-whitish. The larva is brown; dots black; head and plate of 2 black.[1]

Adults are on wing from April to June.

The larvae feed on Cytisus scoparius. Larvae can be found from October to February.[2] The species overwinters in the larval stage within the stem.[3]

Biocontrol agent in New Zealand

A. assimilella has been introduced to New Zealand to attempt to control the invasive to New Zealand plant Cytisus scoparius.[4] As at 2021 the success of the introduction of this species to New Zealand was uncertain.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf Keys and description
  2. https://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=702 UKmoths
  3. http://www.lepiforum.de/cgi-bin/lepiwiki.pl?Agonopterix_Assimilella lepiforum.de
  4. Web site: BCANZ · Biological Control Agents introduced to New Zealand . 2022-05-07 . b3.net.nz.
  5. Web site: Spring Activities . 2022-05-07 . Manaaki Whenua . en-US.