Scrobipalpula psilella (Herrich-Schäffer, 1854)

Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae

mine

Larvae in a tube of silk, covered with dirt, on the ground. From here a large, frass-free blotch is made in a low leaf; the larva may also bore in the stem. The larva may sometimes attack another leaf, and then the silken tube is missing.

hostplants

Asteraceae, oligophagous

Artemisia campestris, maritima, santonicum, vulgaris; Aster alpinus, amellus; Centaurea scabiosa; Erigeron acris; Gnaphalium; Helichrysum arenarium; Tripolium pannonicum.

Artemisia campestris is the primary hostplant. Records from Achillea, Anthemis maritima, Cirsium, Homogyne alpina need further confirmation (Huemer & Karsholt, 2010a)..

phenology

Two generations, adults in May – June and again September.

BENELUX

Not known from the Benelux countries (Fauna Europaea, 2009).

distribution within Europe

Entire Europe, except the British Isles (Fauna Europaea, 2009).

larva

Green with darker green warts; head brownish-yellow with a black spot near the ocelli and another behind; prothoracic shield greenish-yellow (Benander, cited by Huemer & Karsholt [1998a]). Uniformly light grey, head and pronotum light brown (Hering, 1957a).

synonyms

Gnorimoschema psilellum; Lita, Phthorimaea, psilella

references

Bland, Heckford & Langmaid (2002a), Chrétien (1909a), Corley, Maravalhas & Passos de Carvalho (2006a), Elsner, Huemer & Tokár (1999a), Hering (1930b, 1957a), Huemer & Karsholt (1998a), Kaitila (1996a), Klimesch (1958c), Menhofer (1943a), Pelham-Clinton (1989a), Povolný & Bradley (1965a), Sønderup (1949a), Szőcs (1977a), Tabell (2008a).

24/07/2011