Argyresthia pygmaeella is a moth of the family Yponomeutidae. The species was first described by Michael Denis and Ignaz Schiffermüller in 1775 from a specimen found near Vienna, Austria
| Argyresthia pygmaeella | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Argyresthiidae |
| Genus: | Argyresthia |
| Species: | A. pygmaeella |
| Binomial name | |
| Argyresthia pygmaeella (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) | |
| Synonyms | |
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The wingspan is 11–14 mm. Forewings are white, with golden or brown markings, while hind wings are grey. Legs and antennae are white. They fly in a single generation from May to August, depending on location.[1]
Eggs are laid on willows and the larvae overwinter in leaf-buds until April when they bore into a shoot, causing it to droop. They can also feed on catkins. When full grown in May or June the larvae are 11 mm long with a green body and dark-brown to black head, prothoracic and anal shields. Pupation takes place either in the feeding place or on the ground in May or June.[2]
Recorded food plants include goat willow (Salix caprea) and grey willow (Salix cinerea)[3]
In North America these moths mainly live in mountainous areas, but are also present in prairies with the host plants.[1]
This species can be found in Europe, northern Asia and North America.[1][2] [4]
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