Blastodacna atra
| Blastodacna atra | ||||||||||||
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Blastodacna atra |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Blastodacna atra | ||||||||||||
| ( Haworth , 1828) |
Blastodacna atra is a butterfly ( moth ) fromthe grass leaf miner family (Elachistidae).
features
The moths reach a wingspan of 10 to 13 millimeters. The thorax is creamy white with a variable dark brown mixture. The front wings are dark brown and more gray-brown on the Costa loader. A creamy white line extends from the base of the wing to the inner corner. It is mixed with dark brown and yellowish ocher-colored scales and bordered in the middle by a dark brown subdorsal tuft of scales. A second tuft of scales is located at the inner corner. Ocher-colored lines are in the costal fold and in the discoidal cell . From the ocher-colored line in the cell emerge individual, cream-white lines directed inwards and outwards towards the costa. Another, small, creamy white line lies in front of the apex . The fringed scales are dark gray at the apex and gray at the base. Two dark transverse lines run at the apex. The dark brown mixture at the vertex , thorax and dorsal line is variable.
In the males, the gnathos arms are long and narrowed distally . They are bent downwards up to half of the tegumen ; at the top there is a small bump with two rows of spines. The anellus lobes are more than half as long as the valves and widest in the basal half. The apex tapers and a triangular, pointed process is at 3/4 of the ventral margin. The aedeagus is long and curved, it tapers slightly distally. The vesica has 4 similar groups of spines.
In females, the genital plate is rectangular and spiked on the side and front. The anterior part of the ductus bursae is provided with a rectangular, sclerotized plate, which is adjoined by a broad, bulbous, non-sclerotized section. The corpus bursae is oval and has a granular, hood-shaped sign.
Similar species
B. atra is similar to Blastodacna hellerella and Blastodacna rossica , but differs from them by the bright yellow-orange markings on the forewings.
distribution
Blastodacna atra is widespread in Europe with the exception of the north.
biology
The females lay the eggs individually on apple trees ( Malus ) near the leaf axilla. The caterpillars minieren from August to early June in the Mark of the branches and eat during the winter months. The caterpillar infestation can be recognized by a small pile of caterpillar droppings near the entrance hole. As a result of the feeding activity, shoots and flowers die off and cracks form in the bark. The caterpillars pupate in the branches from May to June. The species forms a generation, the moths fly from late May to early September. Blastodacna atra can develop into a serious pest on apple trees.
Systematics
The following synonyms are known from the literature:
- Recurvia atra Haworth , 1828
- Elachista putripenella Zeller , 1839
The first description of the species was based on a melanistic form that occurs mainly in England . The light form was described by Zeller in 1839 as Elachista putripenella and later considered a variation .
swell
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e f g J. C. Koster, S. Yu. Sinev: Momphidae, Batrachedridae, Stathmopodidae, Agonoxenidae, Cosmopterigidae, Chrysopeleiidae . In: P. Huemer, O. Karsholt, L. Lyneborg (eds.): Microlepidoptera of Europe . 1st edition. tape 5 . Apollo Books, Stenstrup 2003, ISBN 87-88757-66-8 , pp. 74 (English).
- ^ Blastodacna atra in Fauna Europaea. Retrieved September 13, 2011
Web links
- Lepiforum e. V. - Taxonomy and photos
- Ian Kimber: Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland - Photos