Batrachedra parvulipunctella

Batrachedra parvulipunctella is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of Batrachedridae.

• 4.1 Notes and references

Features

The moths reach a wingspan of 11-15 millimeters. The head is yellow ocher, sometimes with gray mixing. The antennae are yellowish brown and have at the top five indistinct stripes of various sizes. Thorax and tegulae are ocher yellow. The forewings are mottled yellowish ocher and brown scales. The brown mottling is closer to the costal margin and on the wing inner edge. An indistinct brown line runs from the wing base on the costal fold to the interior angle. A similar line is located between the costal fold and the wing leading edge, it ends just before the top of the interior angle. A small brown spot located in the lower dash after the first third of the forewing length, a similar spot located in the upper line in the apical region. The fringe scales are yellowish ocher, they are at the inner angle toward the wing base brighter. The hind wings shining yellowish white.

Similar Species

Batrachedra parvulipunctella similar Batrachedra pinicolella and Batrachedra amydraula, the former type is a bit larger and can be distinguished by the yellowish ocher forewing with two indistinct brown stripes.

Dissemination

Batrachedra parvulipunctella is native to southern Europe and northern Africa (Tunisia). The species was also found in England, where a specimen was probably drifted by strong southerly winds.

Biology

Batrachedra parvulipunctella lives symbiotically in Schildlauskolonien of Aclerda berlesei or other species on reed (Phragmites australis) and reed (Arundo donax ) occur. The species is probably bivoltin. The caterpillars live from June to July and from autumn to spring in white housings which have holes on both sides and eat the wax excretions of scale insects. The housing covers a group Schildlausweibchen or nymphs, so that the larvae to feed the housing must not rely completely and be able to immediately withdraw in disorder. The caterpillars pupate in a white, slightly transparent cocoon in the leaf sheaths of the plant. The moths fly from May to June and from July to August.

Swell