Generic features: Head with forward projecting scales in front, tufted at sides and posteriorly; Antenna 3/4 length of fw, ciliate in male
Labial palp slender, recurved; S2 1.5x S3 length in A.josephinae/flavifrontella, 2x in A.subochreella
Forewing V7&8 on a long stalk, V7 to apex; V3 &4 arise separately from cell; Hindwing V3&4 connate or on a short stalk
Dorsal surface of abdomen with very narrow scales
Aedeagus short, flagon-shaped; Ductus and corpus bursae membranous; signum dentate
Larva in a portable case, feeds on decaying leaves on ground
Labial palp slender, recurved; S2 1.5x S3 length in A.josephinae/flavifrontella, 2x in A.subochreella
Forewing V7&8 on a long stalk, V7 to apex; V3 &4 arise separately from cell; Hindwing V3&4 connate or on a short stalk
Dorsal surface of abdomen with very narrow scales
Aedeagus short, flagon-shaped; Ductus and corpus bursae membranous; signum dentate
Larva in a portable case, feeds on decaying leaves on ground
Agnoea flavifrontella
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Agnoea subochreella
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Agnoea josephinae
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The 3 British species of Agnoea are similar. Genital dissection may be required for confident identification, but the species should be distinguishable by the following key:
Palps fuscous, dorsum of abdomen dull ochreous, forewing with fuscous spots (ws 18-20mm, late Jun-early Aug) = A.josephinae
Palps fuscous, dorsum of abdomen bright ochreous, forewing with fuscous spots (ws19-23mm, late May-early Jul) = A.flavifrontella
Palps ochreous, dorsum of abdomen bright ochreous, unmarked forewing (ws 16-20mm, late May-early Jul) = A.subochreella
Palps fuscous, dorsum of abdomen dull ochreous, forewing with fuscous spots (ws 18-20mm, late Jun-early Aug) = A.josephinae
Palps fuscous, dorsum of abdomen bright ochreous, forewing with fuscous spots (ws19-23mm, late May-early Jul) = A.flavifrontella
Palps ochreous, dorsum of abdomen bright ochreous, unmarked forewing (ws 16-20mm, late May-early Jul) = A.subochreella
A.flavifrontella |
A.subochreella |
A.josephinae |
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wingspan |
19-23mm |
16-20mm |
18-20mm |
forewing |
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flight season |
late May - early Jul |
late May - early Jul |
late Jun - early Aug |
forewing markings |
3 indistinct fuscous spots |
unmarked |
3 indistinct fuscous spots |
labial palps |
dark fuscous |
ochreous |
pale fuscous |
abdominal dorsum |
bright ochreous |
bright ochreous |
dull ochreous |
Male genitalia: uncus |
rounded |
notched |
rounded |
Male genitalia: sacculus |
spined |
smooth |
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Male genitalia: valva |
lateral margin concave |
smoothly rounded |
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Female genitalia: ostium |
central |
anterior |
anterior |
Female genitalia: signum |
broad anterior, pointed posterior |
oval, broadest at centre |
A.flavifrontella/subochreella fly late May to early Jul; A.josephinae flies late Jun to early Aug.
A.flavifrontella is larger than the other 2 species but there is some overlap at ws 19-20mm. A.josephinae is described in MBGBI4.1 as having a fuscous abdomen, whilst the dorsal surface is described as ochreous in A.flavifrontella/subochreella. In fact it seems that A.josephinae has a less obviously ochreous dorsal surface and the distinction is not as clear-cut as the MBGBI description suggests. A.josephinae/flavifrontella usually show 3 indistinct darker forewing spots while A.subochreella is usually unmarked. The labial palps of A.subochreella are ochreous and fuscous in A.flavifrontella/josephinae.
A.flavifrontella is larger than the other 2 species but there is some overlap at ws 19-20mm. A.josephinae is described in MBGBI4.1 as having a fuscous abdomen, whilst the dorsal surface is described as ochreous in A.flavifrontella/subochreella. In fact it seems that A.josephinae has a less obviously ochreous dorsal surface and the distinction is not as clear-cut as the MBGBI description suggests. A.josephinae/flavifrontella usually show 3 indistinct darker forewing spots while A.subochreella is usually unmarked. The labial palps of A.subochreella are ochreous and fuscous in A.flavifrontella/josephinae.
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Male genitalia: The three species are readily distinguished by examination of the male genitalia:
Notched uncus > A.subochreella;
Rounded uncus; spined sacculus and concave lateral margin of valva > A.flavifrontella
Rounded uncus; smoothly curved ventro-lateral margin of sacculus and valva > A.josephinae.
Notched uncus > A.subochreella;
Rounded uncus; spined sacculus and concave lateral margin of valva > A.flavifrontella
Rounded uncus; smoothly curved ventro-lateral margin of sacculus and valva > A.josephinae.
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Female genitalia: In A.flavifrontella the ostium opens in the centre of the subgenital plate, while in A.subochreella/josephinae it opens near its anterior margin. The signum of A.subochreella is broadest anteriorly and pointed posteriorly; in A.josephinae it is more oval, broadest in the middle and not pointed posteriorly.
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