Apple Fruit Moth
Argyresthia conjugella
This record describes Argyresthia conjugella (species). Recorded family: Argyresthiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 10-14 mm. One of the larger and more distinctive Argyresthia species, though it can be rather variable. There is a unicolorous brown form ( F. aerariella ) which can be rather confusing. They can be found by day flying around the foodplants or resting on nearby vegetation. The adult moths can be found on the wing between May and July and at night are attracted to light. The larvae feed on Rowan and Apple, boring into the berries or fruit and eating from within. The species is widely distributed and generally common throughout the British Isles. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common. No additional images available for this species.
Wikipedia reference for Argyresthia conjugella: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argyresthia conjugella.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Yponomeutoidea
- Family
- Argyresthiidae (Shiny Headstand Moths)
- Subfamily
- Argyresthiinae
- Genus
- Argyresthia (Argents)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
They can be found by day flying around the foodplants or resting on nearby vegetation.
Seasonal Activity
The adult moths can be found on the wing between May and July and at night are attracted to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on Rowan and Apple, boring into the berries or fruit and eating from within.
Additional species information
Recorded status
The species is widely distributed and generally common throughout the British Isles. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Argyresthia conjugella. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Apple Fruit Moth (4)
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Fruit Moth
What is Apple Fruit Moth?
Apple Fruit Moth (Argyresthia conjugella) is a species in the family Argyresthiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Apple Fruit Moth found?
Habitat: They can be found by day flying around the foodplants or resting on nearby vegetation.
When is Apple Fruit Moth active?
Apple Fruit Moth: seasonal activity - The adult moths can be found on the wing between May and July and at night are attracted to light..
What is the life cycle of a Apple Fruit Moth?
The larvae feed on Rowan and Apple, boring into the berries or fruit and eating from within.