Leek Moth
Acrolepiopsis assectella
This record describes Acrolepiopsis assectella (species). Recorded family: Glyphipterigidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan about 12 mm. A small brown species with a distinctive dorsal white blotch. The larvae initially mine the leaves of Allium species (onions, leek, garlic etc.). Acrolepiopsis betulella is very similar. adult: detailed examination of a specimen is needed larval stages: photograph mine and larva; state host plant species in comments Associated with Leeks and other Allium species it is most likely to be found in areas where they occur. It flies in two generations, in June and July, and from October through the winter to early spring. The larva mines or feeds on the leaves or bulbs of Allium species. Although it has the potential to be a pest, it is rather scarce in Britain. The larva pupates in an open network cocoon, either on the foodplant or close by. Quite a scarce and local species which is distributed mainly in the south-east of England, especially around the coast. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
Wikipedia reference for Acrolepiopsis assectella: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leek_moth.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Yponomeutoidea
- Family
- Glyphipterigidae (Sedge and False Diamondback Moths)
- Subfamily
- Acrolepiinae
- Genus
- Acrolepiopsis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Associated with Leeks and other Allium species it is most likely to be found in areas where they occur.
Seasonal Activity
It flies in two generations, in June and July, and from October through the winter to early spring.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larva mines or feeds on the leaves or bulbs of
Additional species information
Recorded status
Quite a scarce and local species which is distributed mainly in the south-east of England, especially around the coast. 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 Acrolepiopsis assectella. 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 Leek Moth (2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Leek Moth
What is Leek Moth?
Leek Moth (Acrolepiopsis assectella) is a species in the family Glyphipterigidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Leek Moth found?
Habitat: Associated with Leeks and other Allium species it is most likely to be found in areas where they occur.
When is Leek Moth active?
Leek Moth: seasonal activity - It flies in two generations, in June and July, and from October through the winter to early spring..
What is the life cycle of a Leek Moth?
The larva mines or feeds on the leaves or bulbs of