37.001 Augasma aeratella (Knot-grass Gall Moth)
ws: 9-10mm (MBGBI3); Jun-Jul; diurnal; Knot grass (Polygonum aviculare); previously considered extinct in GB since 1956
Several subsequent records in southern counties in June and July 2023 to NI pheromone
Several subsequent records in southern counties in June and July 2023 to NI pheromone
Augasma aeratella §1 male
Description: Generally metallic with bronzy-green and purple reflections (varies with lighting). antenna fuscous, slightly longer than ½ forewing length (by eyeball) appears short c/w other Coleophora; scape excavate (seen in image of live moth). Labial palps porrect (seen in image of live moth). Neck tufts broad, overlapping junction of head and thorax. Forewing costa shallowly concave. Spine patches on abdominal dorsum large and spines comparatively prominent.
ID: Metallic with unmarked forewing with a shallowly concave costa; antenna short (c/w Coleophora spp)
The excavate scape is not mentioned in MBGBI3 but is seen on some of the images at Lepiforum
Male genitalia: Sacculus bowed with a slight apical projection; valvula short, not extending much beyond apex of sacculus; tunica simple; vesica with a long sclerotisation of the curve; no cornuti.
A fairly exact replica of the genital preparation shown here can be found at Coleophora.bluefile.cz
ID: Metallic with unmarked forewing with a shallowly concave costa; antenna short (c/w Coleophora spp)
The excavate scape is not mentioned in MBGBI3 but is seen on some of the images at Lepiforum
Male genitalia: Sacculus bowed with a slight apical projection; valvula short, not extending much beyond apex of sacculus; tunica simple; vesica with a long sclerotisation of the curve; no cornuti.
A fairly exact replica of the genital preparation shown here can be found at Coleophora.bluefile.cz
§1 Boreham, Essex; 27/06/2023; male; fw 5.3mm; to light; specimen obtained by Graham Ekins; ID confirmed by Ignac Richter; FIRST FOR BRITAIN SINCE 1956
All images © Chris Lewis
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 05/07/2023 (§1)
