Agonopterix alstroemeriana

Hemlock moth
A well-camouflaged adult
Mounted adult
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Depressariidae
Genus: Agonopterix
Species: A. alstroemeriana
Binomial name
Agonopterix alstroemeriana
(Clerck, 1759)
Synonyms
  • Phalaena alstroemeriana Clerck, 1759
  • Agonopterix alstroemeriana
  • Tinea monilella Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775
  • Tinea puella Hübner, 1796
  • albidella Eversmann, 1844

The hemlock moth (Agonopterix alstroemeriana), also known as the defoliating hemlock moth or poison hemlock moth, is a moth species of the family Depressariidae. Of Palaearctic origin, it was first found in North America in 1973 when it was accidentally introduced.

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

Media related to Agonopterix alstroemeriana at Wikimedia Commons

External identifiers for Agonopterix alstroemeriana
Encyclopedia of Life 936051
Also found in: Wikispecies


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