63.092 Agriphila selasella (Pale-streaked Grass-moth)
ws: 22-30mm; Jul-Aug; various grasses, including common saltmarsh grass (Puccinellia maritima), small cord-grass (Spartina maritima) and sheep's fescue (Festuca ovina); local on saltmarsh and fens throughout GB except N.Scotland
Agriphila selasella §2 female
ID: See Agriphila selasella vs tristella for a detailed comparison of these two similar species.
A.tristella can be identified by a prominent facial cone; much less prominent in A.selasella.
The typical forewing pattern of A.tristella shows a yellow median streak with a narrowing at 1/3 to 1/2 from wing base and 4 prominent terminal 'fingers' and a trace of a subterminal line; while A.selasella typically shows a white median streak of fairly constant width with 2 indistinct terminal fingers and no trace of a subterminal line.
Male Genitalia: Aedeagus without cornuti; Projection from base of dorsal margin of valva rounded at apex; 'Blob' at end of gnathos triangular.
Female Genitalia: Sclerotised section of ductus bursae shorter than diameter of antrum.
A.tristella can be identified by a prominent facial cone; much less prominent in A.selasella.
The typical forewing pattern of A.tristella shows a yellow median streak with a narrowing at 1/3 to 1/2 from wing base and 4 prominent terminal 'fingers' and a trace of a subterminal line; while A.selasella typically shows a white median streak of fairly constant width with 2 indistinct terminal fingers and no trace of a subterminal line.
Male Genitalia: Aedeagus without cornuti; Projection from base of dorsal margin of valva rounded at apex; 'Blob' at end of gnathos triangular.
Female Genitalia: Sclerotised section of ductus bursae shorter than diameter of antrum.
Dissection
Male genitalia
Female genitalia
§1 Removed
§2 Foulness, Essex; 19/08/2012; female; fw 13.2mm
§3 Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk; 18/06/2012; fw 11.4mm
§4 Mull; 21/06/2018; male; fw 10.1mm
§5 Foulness, Essex; 24/08/2019; female; fw 11.5mm
All images © Chris Lewis
§2 Foulness, Essex; 19/08/2012; female; fw 13.2mm
§3 Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk; 18/06/2012; fw 11.4mm
§4 Mull; 21/06/2018; male; fw 10.1mm
§5 Foulness, Essex; 24/08/2019; female; fw 11.5mm
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 05/02/2012 | Extensively revised 02/11/2012 (§2) | §3 added 06/11/2012 | §4 added 17/02/2019 | §5 added 10/09/2019
