Argyresthia cupressella
This record describes Argyresthia cupressella (species). Recorded family: Argyresthiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 8 to 9 mm. Avery small moth with a patterning of mottled oranges and white. In Britain the adults are on the wing in June and July. The larvae feed on Cypress and Juniper, feeding internally on the leaves and young shoots. In spring affected shoots turn brown and are quite noticeable. Originating from North America, this adventive species has evidently been introduced with its foodplants, and was first found in the British Isles in Suffolk in 1997. Like several other micro lepidoptera feeding on ornamental conifers, it is expanding its range quite dramatically. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
Wikipedia reference for Argyresthia cupressella: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argyresthia cupressella.
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
Around Cypress and Juniper.
Seasonal Activity
In Britain the adults are on the wing in June and July.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on Cypress and Juniper, feeding internally on the leaves and young shoots. In spring affected shoots turn brown and are quite noticeable.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Originating from North America, this adventive species has evidently been introduced with its foodplants, and was first found in the British Isles in Suffolk in 1997. Like several other micro lepidoptera feeding on ornamental conifers, it is expanding its range quite dramatically. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Argyresthia cupressella. 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 Argyresthia cupressella (5)
Frequently Asked Questions About Argyresthia cupressella
What is Argyresthia cupressella?
Argyresthia cupressella is a species in the family Argyresthiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Argyresthia cupressella found?
Habitat: Around Cypress and Juniper.
When is Argyresthia cupressella active?
Argyresthia cupressella: seasonal activity - In Britain the adults are on the wing in June and July..
What is the life cycle of a Argyresthia cupressella?
The larvae feed on Cypress and Juniper, feeding internally on the leaves and young shoots. In spring affected shoots turn brown and are quite noticeable.