Depressaria radiella
Encyclopedia
The Parsnip Moth is a moth
of the Oecophoridae
family. It is found in most of Europe
, except Portugal
and most of the Balkan Peninsula.
The wingspan
is 19-27 mm. Adults are on wing from August to (after overwintering in a sheltered place) May of the following year. There is one generation per year.
The larvae feed on Heracleum sphondylium, Pastinaca sativa and Apium nodiflorum
. They feed on the flowers and developing seeds. Pupation takes place in the main stem of the food plant.
of the Depressaria
genus. Its scientific name has been much confused for about 200 years. A.H. Haworth
, on establishing the genus Depressaria in his 1811 issues of Lepidoptera Britannica, called the eventual type species Phalaena heraclei, an unjustified emendation of P. (Tortrix) heracliana. In this he followed such entomologists of his time as A.J. Retzius
, who in 1783 had believed the Parsnip Moth to be a species originally described by C. Linnaeus in 1758. But in fact, this was a misidentification; Linnaeus' moth was actually the one known today as Agonopterix heracliana
. To make matters worse, J. Curtis
popularized another incorrect spelling, D. heracleana, apparently first introduced (as Pyralis heracleana) by J.C. Fabricius
in his 1775 Systema Entomologiae.
When the error of Retzius, Haworth and others was realized, it was assumed that the Parsnip Moth was only validly described (as Haemilis pastinacella) by P.A.J. Duponchel
in 1838, and consequently it was throughout much of the 20th century known as D. pastinacella. But according to the ICZN
's judgement, there already was an older valid description – that of J.A.E. Goeze
, who in 1783 named the species Phalaena radiella. Thus, the correct scientific name of the type species is D. radiella.
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...
of the Oecophoridae
Oecophoridae
Oecophoridae is a family of small moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea. The phylogeny and systematics of gelechoid moths are still not fully resolved, and the circumscription of the Oecophoridae is strongly affected by this....
family. It is found in most of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, except Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
and most of the Balkan Peninsula.
The wingspan
Wingspan
The wingspan of an airplane or a bird, is the distance from one wingtip to the other wingtip. For example, the Boeing 777 has a wingspan of about ; and a Wandering Albatross caught in 1965 had a wingspan of , the official record for a living bird.The term wingspan, more technically extent, is...
is 19-27 mm. Adults are on wing from August to (after overwintering in a sheltered place) May of the following year. There is one generation per year.
The larvae feed on Heracleum sphondylium, Pastinaca sativa and Apium nodiflorum
Apium nodiflorum
Apium nodiflorum, commonly called Fool's-water-cress is a flowering plant found in ditches or streams and native to western Europe. It is a low-growing or prostrate perennial with pinnate leaves which have a vague resemblance to those of watercress...
. They feed on the flowers and developing seeds. Pupation takes place in the main stem of the food plant.
Taxonomy
Depressaria radiella is the type speciesType species
In biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
of the Depressaria
Depressaria
Depressaria is a moth genus of the superfamily Gelechioidea. It is the type genus of subfamily Depressariinae, which is often – particularly in older treatments – considered a distinct family Depressariidae or included in the Elachistidae, but actually seems to belong in the...
genus. Its scientific name has been much confused for about 200 years. A.H. Haworth
Adrian Hardy Haworth
Adrian Hardy Haworth was an English entomologist, botanist and carcinologist.He was the son of Benjamin Haworth of Haworth Hall...
, on establishing the genus Depressaria in his 1811 issues of Lepidoptera Britannica, called the eventual type species Phalaena heraclei, an unjustified emendation of P. (Tortrix) heracliana. In this he followed such entomologists of his time as A.J. Retzius
Anders Jahan Retzius
Anders Jahan Retzius was a Swedish chemist, botanist and entomologist.-Biography:Born in Kristianstad, he matriculated at Lund University in 1758, where he graduated as a filosofie magister in 1766. He also trained as an apothecary apprentice. He reveived the position of docent of chemistry at...
, who in 1783 had believed the Parsnip Moth to be a species originally described by C. Linnaeus in 1758. But in fact, this was a misidentification; Linnaeus' moth was actually the one known today as Agonopterix heracliana
Agonopterix heracliana
Agonopterix heracliana is a moth of the Oecophoridae family. It is found in most of Europe, North Africa, the Near East and the eastern part of the Palearctic ecozone.The wingspan is 17-25 mm...
. To make matters worse, J. Curtis
John Curtis (entomologist)
John Curtis was an English entomologist and illustrator.-Biography:Curtis was born in Norwich and learned his engraving skills in the workshop of his father, Charles Morgan Curtis...
popularized another incorrect spelling, D. heracleana, apparently first introduced (as Pyralis heracleana) by J.C. Fabricius
Johan Christian Fabricius
Johan Christian Fabricius was a Danish zoologist, specialising in "Insecta", which at that time included all arthropods: insects, arachnids, crustaceans and others...
in his 1775 Systema Entomologiae.
When the error of Retzius, Haworth and others was realized, it was assumed that the Parsnip Moth was only validly described (as Haemilis pastinacella) by P.A.J. Duponchel
Philogène Auguste Joseph Duponchel
Philogène Auguste Joseph Duponchel was a French soldier and entomologist.Philogène Auguste Joseph Duponchel was born in 1774 in Valenciennes, Nord and died on 10 January 1846 in Paris. After studies in Douai, he joined, the French Army when he was sixteen years old. He took part in the campaigns...
in 1838, and consequently it was throughout much of the 20th century known as D. pastinacella. But according to the ICZN
International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature
The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature is an organization dedicated to "achieving stability and sense in the scientific naming of animals". Founded in 1895, it currently comprises 28 members from 20 countries, mainly practicing zoological taxonomists...
's judgement, there already was an older valid description – that of J.A.E. Goeze
Johann August Ephraim Goeze
Johann August Ephraim Goeze was a German zoologist from Aschersleben.He was the son of Johann Heinrich and Catherine Margarete . He studied theology at University of Halle. He married Leopoldine Maria Keller in 1770, by whom he had four children. In 1751, he became a pastor at Aschersleben in...
, who in 1783 named the species Phalaena radiella. Thus, the correct scientific name of the type species is D. radiella.