20.001 Argyresthia (Blastotere) laevigatella (Larch Tip Moth)
ws: 9-13mm; May-Jul; European/Japanese larch (Larix decidua/kaempferi); common in woodland throughout GB
Argyresthia laevigatella §1 female
ID: Forewing unicolorous, pale greyish; thorax not white; head ochreous > A.laevigatella/glabratella which require genital dissection to distinguish.
Male genitalia: the two species are nearly identical but there are small differences in the aedeagus. The sclerotised plate of the 8th abdominal segment is finer in A.glabratella but this is variable.
Female genitalia: The signum of A.laevigatella has a single spine while that of A.glabratella has two.
Male genitalia: the two species are nearly identical but there are small differences in the aedeagus. The sclerotised plate of the 8th abdominal segment is finer in A.glabratella but this is variable.
Female genitalia: The signum of A.laevigatella has a single spine while that of A.glabratella has two.
§1 Glen Urquart, Inverness-shire; 18/07/2012; female; fw 6.1mm
§2 Applecross, Ross & Cromarty; 20/06/2022; female; fw 5.1mm
§3 Eskadale, Inverness-shire; 27/06/2022; female; fw 5.3mm
All images © Chris Lewis
§2 Applecross, Ross & Cromarty; 20/06/2022; female; fw 5.1mm
§3 Eskadale, Inverness-shire; 27/06/2022; female; fw 5.3mm
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 20/11/2012 (§1) | §2&3 added 09/10/2022
