Argyresthia curvella
Encyclopedia
Argyresthia curvella is a species
of ermine moth
(family
Yponomeutidae). It belongs to subfamily Argyresthiinae
, which is sometimes elevated to full family rank in the superfamily Yponomeutoidea
. It is commonly called Apple Blossom Tineid, reflecting the fact that it was originally believed to be a tineid moth (family Tinieidae).
This small moth
is widespread in northwestern Eurasia
. It is absent from Iberia
and probably the entire Balkans
, and generally ranges southwards only to the northern Mediterranean region; a possibly isolated population occurs in the Caucasus
region. Where it occurs, it is usually not rare and may be abundant. The nocturnal adults are attracted to light sources; they are on the wing around June/July or somewhat later, depending on the location.
The wingspan of adults is 10–12 mm. As usual for Yponomeutidae, the forewings have a bold black-and-white pattern, which fades easily in museum specimen
s though. The pattern consists of a thick oblique black line running from the center of the forewings' dorsal margin to somewhat nearer the apex on the costal margin. From the apex, a thinner and often somewhat irregular black band extends to meet the first one. The remaining areas of the forewings are generously sprinkled with small black blotches. The hindwings are pale greyish, as is the body. The caterpillar
s feed on Malus
(apple) trees, where they eat the blossom
s; it has also been suspected that they eat rotting apple wood at least occasionally. They may become a pest in apple orchard
s, if they occur in abundance.
The species has been confused with the somewhat similar and fairly closely related Hawthorn Moth (Scythropia crataegella) – the actual species described as Tinea cornella by J.C. Fabricius in 1775 – even in recent times.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of ermine moth
Ermine moth
The family Yponomeutidae are known as the ermine moths, with several hundred species, most of them in the tropics. The larvae tend to form communal webs, and some are minor pests in agriculture, forestry, and horticulture. Some of the adults are very attractive...
(family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
Yponomeutidae). It belongs to subfamily Argyresthiinae
Argyresthiinae
Argyresthiinae is a subfamily of moths of the Yponomeutidae family, although it is treated as a valid family Argyresthiidae by some authors.-Genera:*Argyresthia Hübner, [1825]*Eucalliathla Clarke, 1967*Paraargyresthia Moriuti, 1969...
, which is sometimes elevated to full family rank in the superfamily Yponomeutoidea
Yponomeutoidea
Yponomeutoidea is a superfamily of Ermine moths and relatives.-Familiae:*Acrolepiidae*Bedelliidae*Glyphipterigidae*Heliodinidae*Lyonetiidae*Plutellidae*Yponomeutidae*Ypsolophidae- Etymology :...
. It is commonly called Apple Blossom Tineid, reflecting the fact that it was originally believed to be a tineid moth (family Tinieidae).
This small moth
Moth
A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. Moths form the majority of this order; there are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of moth , with thousands of species yet to be described...
is widespread in northwestern Eurasia
Eurasia
Eurasia is a continent or supercontinent comprising the traditional continents of Europe and Asia ; covering about 52,990,000 km2 or about 10.6% of the Earth's surface located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres...
. It is absent from Iberia
Iberia
The name Iberia refers to three historical regions of the old world:* Iberian Peninsula, in Southwest Europe, location of modern-day Portugal and Spain** Prehistoric Iberia...
and probably the entire Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
, and generally ranges southwards only to the northern Mediterranean region; a possibly isolated population occurs in the Caucasus
Caucasus
The Caucasus, also Caucas or Caucasia , is a geopolitical region at the border of Europe and Asia, and situated between the Black and the Caspian sea...
region. Where it occurs, it is usually not rare and may be abundant. The nocturnal adults are attracted to light sources; they are on the wing around June/July or somewhat later, depending on the location.
The wingspan of adults is 10–12 mm. As usual for Yponomeutidae, the forewings have a bold black-and-white pattern, which fades easily in museum specimen
Specimen
A specimen is a portion/quantity of material for use in testing, examination, or study.BiologyA laboratory specimen is an individual animal, part of an animal, a plant, part of a plant, or a microorganism, used as a representative to study the properties of the whole population of that species or...
s though. The pattern consists of a thick oblique black line running from the center of the forewings' dorsal margin to somewhat nearer the apex on the costal margin. From the apex, a thinner and often somewhat irregular black band extends to meet the first one. The remaining areas of the forewings are generously sprinkled with small black blotches. The hindwings are pale greyish, as is the body. The caterpillar
Caterpillar
Caterpillars are the larval form of members of the order Lepidoptera . They are mostly herbivorous in food habit, although some species are insectivorous. Caterpillars are voracious feeders and many of them are considered to be pests in agriculture...
s feed on Malus
Malus
Malus , the apples, are a genus of about 30–35 species of small deciduous trees or shrubs in the family Rosaceae. Other studies go as far as 55 species including the domesticated Orchard Apple, or Table apple as it was formerly called...
(apple) trees, where they eat the blossom
Blossom
In botany, blossom is a term given to the flowers of stone fruit trees and of some other plants with a similar appearance that flower profusely for a period of time in spring...
s; it has also been suspected that they eat rotting apple wood at least occasionally. They may become a pest in apple orchard
Orchard
An orchard is an intentional planting of trees or shrubs that is maintained for food production. Orchards comprise fruit or nut-producing trees which are grown for commercial production. Orchards are also sometimes a feature of large gardens, where they serve an aesthetic as well as a productive...
s, if they occur in abundance.
Synonyms
Invalid scientific names (junior synonyms and others) of the Apple Blossom Tineid are:- Argyresthia cornella (auct. non Fabricius, 1775: misidentification)
- Phalaena curvella Linnaeus, 1761
- Tinea arcella Fabricius, 1776
- Tinea cornella (auct. non Fabricius, 1775: misidentification)
The species has been confused with the somewhat similar and fairly closely related Hawthorn Moth (Scythropia crataegella) – the actual species described as Tinea cornella by J.C. Fabricius in 1775 – even in recent times.