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| Insects of Britain and Ireland: the families of Lepidoptera |
Hyponomeutidae; including Plutellidae, Roeslerstammiidae
Adults relatively long-bodied; medium built (wingspan more than 8 and less than 15 times the thoracic width); not raising the hind-legs in repose; wings in repose packed with the forewings directed backwards to cover hindwings and abdomen.
Head rough (on the crown), or smooth. Antennae of medium length to very long; extending to about 0.6–1 times the length of the forewing; not clubbed. Antennae of males dentate (or serrulate), or simple; non-ciliate, or simply-ciliate, or pubescent. The antennal scape with a pecten (often), or without a pecten (e.g., Hyponomeuta, Prays, Swammerdamia); not forming an ‘eye cap’. Ocelli present (rarely, then small), or absent. Chaetosemata present, or absent. Maxillary palps well developed (filiform and porrected, in Plutelliinae), or much reduced; 1 segmented, or 2 segmented, or 4 segmented. Labial palps well developed, or short or rudimentary; drooping, or porrect, or ascending (sometimes short); 3 segmented. Proboscis fully developed (usually), or absent; lwhen developed, not scaly.
Wingspan 7–26(–32) mm; 11–15 times the thoracic width. Forewings narrow; 2.9–3.8 times as long as wide. Tornus clearly defined to undetectable (undetectable in Argyresthia). Forewings apically blunt to pointed, or hooked (Ypsolopha); predominantly shining-metallic (often shining-grey, -white or bronzy), or neither shining-metallic nor with shining metallic markings. Hindwings lanceolate to ovate; similar in breadth to the forewings; with a rounded apex. The fringe of the hindwings 0.25–3 times the width of the membrane. The upper surfaces plain; with neither discal spot nor transverse lines; hindwings with a frenulum.
Neuration of forewings and hindwings dissimilar. Forewings 12 veined, or 13 veined; with 1 anal vein, or with 2 anal veins. The anal veins of the forewings representing 1b only, or comprising 1b and 1c. Forewings exhibiting a tubular vein 1c (at least distally), or lacking a tubular vein 1c. Vein 1b of the forewings furcate proximally to simple. The transverse vein complete to incomplete. Forewings with an accessory cell (e.g., Hyponomeuta), or without an accessory cell. Discal cell of the forewings without a tubular media (M) vein. Hindwings 7–9 veined, or 10 veined; with 1 anal vein, or with 2 anal veins, or with 3 anal veins. The anal veins of the hindwings representing 1b only, or comprising 1b and 1c, or comprising 1a, 1b and 1c. Hindwings exhibiting vein 1a, or lacking vein 1a; exhibiting a tubular vein 1c. Vein 1b of the hindwings obsoletely furcate, or simple. The transverse vein complete, or complete to incomplete. The hindwing cell without a cubital pecten of hairs. 5 veins arising from the hindwing cell (then vein 4 absent), or 6 veins arising from the hindwing cell. The cell-derived hindwing veins all arising independently of one another (when vein 4 absent), or 3+4 proximally joined, or 3+4 proximally joined and 5+6 proximally joined, or 6+7 proximally joined (then these connate or stalked, in Plutellinae). Vein 8 of the hindwings completely independent of the cell; not approximating to vein 7.
Fore-legs with a tibial epiphysis. Tibiae of middle legs 2-spurred. Posterior tibiae 4-spurred; not hairy.
Eggs, larvae and pupae. Eggs smooth or minutely pitted (?). Larval prolegs 10. Larvae exposed feeders, or concealed feeders (then often feeding within buds, fruits, leaves or bark); feeding in communal tents (often), or not feeding in communal tents; leaf-mining (rarely), or not leaf-mining. Variously associated with conifers and a divers range of Dicot trees, shrubs and herbs; but seemingly avoiding Monocots, which supports recent transference of Orthotelia to Glyphipterigidae.
Pupae exposed, with no coccoon to concealed (often in a open-network cocoon); on the surface of the ground, or above the ground. Empty pupae protruded from place of concealment.
British representation. Genera 21; about 75 species. Ochsenheimeria taurella (Liverpool Feather-horn, Middle-feather Clothes-moth), Plutella xylostella, Yponomeuta evonymella (Full Spotted Ermine), Rhigognostis annulatella (Ringed Diamond-back, Annulated Smudge), Yponomeuta cagnagella (Small Ermine), Ypsolopha scabrella (Wainscot Hooktip, Wainscot Smudge), etc.
Classification. Microlepidoptera. Suborder Ditrysia. Superfamily Yponomeutoidea.
Illustrations. • Swammerdamia heroldella (as griseocapitella), S. caesiella, S. pyrella: Stainton 11, II (1870). YPONOMEUTIDAE. 1, Swammerdamia heroldella; larva (1a), and gnawed birch leaves (1b). 2, Swammerdamia caesiella?; larva (2a), and a gnawed hawthorn leaf (2b. S. caesiella is usually associated with birch). 3, Swammerdamia pyrella; larva (3a), and gnawed hawthorn leaf (3b). Stainton 11, II (1870). • Stainton 11, II (1870): original legend.. • Prays fraxinella (as curtisellus), Prays oleae (as oleellus): Stainton 11, I (1870). YPONOMEUTIDAE. 1, Prays fraxinella (1m), unicolorous dark variety (1m*), and forewing of an intermediate form (1m**); young larva (1a), adult larva (1a**); ash leaflet mined by the young larva (1b); ash twigs beneath the bark of which the larva has burrowed (1b*), and an ash shoot eaten by the adult larva (1b**). 2, Prays oleellus, probably = P. oleae (2m); dark variety (2m*); young larva (2a), and mature larva (2a**); olive leaves mined by the young larva (2b, 2b*); olive shoot eaten by the mature larva (2b**). Stainton 11, I (1870). • Stainton 11, I (1870): original legend.. • Zelleria cf. hepariella (as phyllaerella), Z. oleastrella (mainland-European), Kessleria saxifragae: Stainton 11, III (1870). YPONOMEUTIDAE. 1, labelled Zelleria phyllaerella, probably = Z. hepariella (the foodplant of the former does not occur in Killarney); larva (1a), and a branch of Phyllyrea with its web (1b). 2, Zelleria oleastrella; larva (2a), and an olive twig with leaves drawn together by it (2b). 3, Kessleria saxifragae; larva (3a), and a shoot of Saxifraga aizoon with its web (3b). Stainton 11, III (1870). • Stainton 11, III (1870): original legend.. • Ochsenheimeria taurella (as O. birdella): Stainton 13, I (1873). YPONOMEUTIDAE. 1, Ochsenheimeria taurella; larva (1a); grass stem burrowed by the larva (1b); and larva entering at the junction of blade and sheath (1b*). Stainton 13, I (1873). • Stainton 13, I (1873): original legend.. • Ypsolopha ustella (as ustulellus): Stainton 13, VIII (1873). YPONOMEUTIDAE. 1, Ypsolopha ustella. Larva (1a), and two hornbeam leaves united by it (1b). Stainton 13, VIII (1873). • Stainton 13, VIII (1873): original legend.. • Argyresthia, Prays, Pseudoswammerdamia, Ypsolophus: Stainton (1859). 1, Prays fraxinella; 2, Ypsolopha dentella; 3, Pseudoswammerdamia combinella; 4, Argyresthia conjugella; 5, Argyresthia brockeella. From Stainton (1854). Approximate wingspans of 1–3 are provided by the 1cm scale at upper right, and individually for 4–5. • Stainton's representative 'Tineina' (1854). Stainton's TINEINA (Yponomeutidae italicised). 2, Ochsenheimeria birdella; 3, Tinea ganomella; 4, Eriocrania salopiella; 5, Nemophora metallica; 6, Swammerdamia pyrella; 7, Yponomeuta sedella; 8, Plutella xylostella; 9, Ypsolopha dentella; 10, Agonopterix alstroemeriana; 11, Pexicopia malvella; 12, Chrysoesthia drurella; 13, Ypsolopha parenthesella; 14, Schiffermuelleria grandis; 15, Scythris grandipennis; 16, Glyphipteryx equitella; 17, Heliozela resplendella; 18, Argyresthia bonnetella; 19, Caloptilia alchimiella; 20, Coleophora lineola; 21, Bedellia somnulentella; 22, Cosmopteryx lienigiella; 23, Mompha propinquella; 24, Elachista gangabella; 25, Elachista maculicerusella; 26, Emmetia marginea; 27, Phyllonorycter acerifoliella; 28, Phyllonorycter stettinensis; 29, Leucoptera malifoliella; 30, Ectoedemia sericopeza. From Stainton (1854, Plate IX). • Digitivalva, Ochsenheimeria, Roëslerstammia, and Swammerdamia (Stainton, 1854. 8a-8c, Ochsenheimeria taurella: denuded fore- and hindwings, and head. 9, Swammerdamia caesiella: denuded fore- and hindwings (9a and 9b), head (9c), and undenuded hindwing (9'b). 11a-11c, denuded fore- and hindwings, and head, of Digitivalva pulicariae. 12a-12c, denuded fore- and hindwings, and head, of Roëslerstammia erxlebella (Roëslerstammiidae). From Stainton (1854, Plates I and 5). • Cedestis, Ocnerostoma, Ypsolopha and Zelleria (Stainton, 1854). 1a-1c, Ypsolopha parenthesella: fore- and hindwings, and head. 7a-7c and 7c', Cedestis subfasciella: fore- and hindwings, and front and side views of head. 8a-8c, Ocnerostoma piniariella: fore- and hindwings, and head. 9a-9c, Zelleria hepariella: fore- and hindwings, and head. From Stainton (1854, Plates V and VI). • Argyresthia (from Stainton). 6a, 6b and 18, Argyresthia bonnetella: fore- and hindwings, and a resting moth. 6'c, head of Argyresthia pruniella. 6''a, forewing of Argyresthia arceuthina. From Stainton (1854, Plate s VI and IX). • Atemelia, Prays, Scythropia, Yponomeuta (Stainton, 1854). 1a-1c, Scythropia crataegella, fore- and hindwings, and head. 2a and 2b, fore- and hindwings of Yponomeuta padella; 2b', undenuded hindwing of Yponomeuta padella. 2'c, head of Yponomeuta cagnagella. 3c, head of Atemelia torquatella. 4a-4c, fore- and hindwings, and head, of Prays fraxinella. From Stainton (1854, Plates III and V). • Eidophasia, Plutella, Ypsolopha (Stainton, 1854). 5a-5c, fore- and hindwings, and head, of Eidophasia messingiella. 6a-6c, fore- and hindwings, and head, of Plutella xylostella. 6'b and 6'e, hindwing and palp of Plutella senilella. 7a-7c, fore- and hindwings, and head, of Ypsolopha ustella. 7'a, fore-wing of Ypsolopha lucella. 7''a, fore-wing of Ypsolopha scabrella. 7'''a and 7'''b, fore- and hindwings of Ypsolopha nemorella. 7''''c, head of Ypsolopha dentella. 8a-8c, fore- and hindwings, and head, of Ypsolopha mucronella. From Stainton (1854, Plate III). • Larvae of 'Tineina' (Stainton, 1854). 1, OECOPHORIDAE: Diurnea fagella larva, and (1a) shown between united birch leaves. 2, PSYCHIDIDAE: Taleporia(?) larva, showing cases attached to lichen (2a), and a single case enlarged. 3, YPONOMEUTIDAE: Ochsenheimeria taurella, and (3a) a section of grass stem showing the larva in situ. 4, TINEIDAE: Tineola bisselliella, with a gallery formed in feathers (4a); 4b, a case of Tinea pellionella on a feather. 5, INCURVARIIDAE: Incurvaria praelatella, with a partially devoured wild strawberry leaf (5a), and a case from the underside. 6, Incurvaria pectinea, and (6a) the larva in its case feeding on a fallen oak leaf. 7, Lampronia capitella, with (7a) a currant shoot withering from the effects of the larva feeding in the stem. 8, YPONOMEUTIDAE: Swammerdamia pyrella, with (8a) the larva in its web between united cherry leaves. 9, Yponomeutidae-Plutellinae: Plutella porrectella, and (9a) feeding on a Hesperis leaf. 10, GLYPHIPTERIGIDAE: Orthotelia sparganella, with (10a) an eaten stem of Sparganium. 11. OECOPHORIDAE: Depressaria sp., with (11a) a leaf of Centaurea nigra distorted by its attentions. 12, GELECHIIDAE: Anacampsis temerella, with (12a) a sallow leaf tenanted by it. 13, Metzneria aestivella, with (13a) a sectioned fruiting head of Carlina showing the feeding larva in situ. 14, OECOPHORIDAE: Crassa unitella, and (14a) a piece of decayed wood burrowed by the larvae. 15, GLYPHIPTERIGIDAE: Glyphipteryx equitella, with (15a) shoots of Sedum acre showing the middle one bleached by excavations of the larva. 16, YPONOMEUTIDAE: Argyresthia bonnetella, with (16a) hawthorn shoots eaten by the larva. 17, GRACILLARIIDAE: Caloptilia alchimiella, with (17a) an oak lead exhibiting a cone formed by the larva. 18, OECOPHORIDAE: Agonopterix angelicella, with (18a) its cone on a hawthorn leaf. 19, COLEOPHORIDAE: Coleophora follicularis, with (19a) a mined leaf of Eupatorium, and (19b) the case enlarged. 20, LYONETIIDAE: Bedellia somnulentella, with (20a) a mined Convolvulus arvensis leaf. 21, EPERMENIIDAE: Epermenia chaerophyllellus, with (21a) a portion of Anthriscus sylvestris leaf eaten half through by it. 22, MOMPHIDAE: Chrysoclista linneella, with (22a) a piece of inner bark of lime burrowed by it. 23, ELACHISTIDAE: Elachista maculicerusella. with (23a) a mined Phragmites leaf blade. 24, TISCHERIIDAE: Emmetia marginea, and (24a) a mined bramble leaf. 25, GRACILLARIIDAE: Phyllonorycter quinnata, with (25a) a mined Carpinus leaf. 26, LYONETIIDAE: Leucoptera laburnella, with (26a) a mined Laburnum leaf. 27, Bucculatrix bechsteinella (Bucculatricidae), and a hawthorn leaf eaten half through. 28, NEPTICULIDAE: Nepticula sp., with (28a) a mined Potentilla leaf. From Stainton (1854, Plate X). • Acrolepiopsis betulella (Curtis), Durham Tinea: B. Ent. 679. • Acrolepiopsis betulella (Curtis): B. Ent. 679, legend+text. • Acrolepiopsis betulella (Curtis): B. Ent. 679, text cont.. • Argyresthia semitestacella (Testaceous White-back): B. Ent. 719. • Argyresthia semitestacella: B. Ent. 719, legend+text. • Argyresthia semitestacella: B. Ent. 719, text cont.. • Ochsenheimeria mediopectinellus (Liverpool Feather-horn, Middle-feather Clothes-moth: B. Ent. 344). • Ochsenheimeria mediopectinellus (detail, dissections: B. Ent. 344). • Ochsenheimeria mediopectinellus: B. Ent. 344, legend+text. • Ochsenheimeria mediopectinellus: B. Ent. 344, text cont.. • Rhigonostis annulatella (Ringed Diamond-back, Annulated Smudge: B. Ent. 420). • Rhigonostis annulatella: B. Ent. 420, legend+text. • Rhigonostis annulatella: B. Ent. 420, text cont.. • Plutella xylostella (Cabbage Smudge). • Ypsolopha scabrella (Wainscot Hooktip, Wainscot Smudge: B. Ent. 535). • Ypsolopha scabrella: B. Ent. 535, legend+text. • Ypsolopha scabrella: B. Ent. 535, text cont.. • Ypsolopha dentella: Kirby 55. • Ypsolopha mucronella and Ypsolopha sequella: Stephens IV, 1834. YPONOMEUTIDAE. 1,Ypsolopha mucronella; 2, Ypsolopha sequella. From Stephens, 1834. • Euhyponomeuta stannella: photo. Euhyponomeuta stannella. The species occurs in Sweden, Finland, Germany, Switzerland and the Caucasus, but is very local in Britain. Larva on Sedum telephium.
The adults were seen in Dovedale, Derbys., on several occasions from 1956–1962, when they were abundant on the food-plant and very active in the sunshine during June and July. The specimens were collected there on July 1st 1956. From Watson’s collection. • Ypsolopha dentella (specimen): photo. YPONOMEUTIDAE. Ypsolopha dentella. 30/7/56, Monk’s Wood, Hunts. L. Watson. • Ypsolopha lucella (specimens): photo. YPONOMEUTIDAE. Ypsolopha lucella. 27/7/56, Bedford Purlieus, nr. Peterborough. L. Watson. • Ypsolopha parenthesella (specimens): photo. YPONOMEUTIDAE. Ypsolopha parenthesella. 31/7/56, Castor Hanglands, nr. Peterborough. L. Watson. • Ypsolopha sequella (specimen): photo. YPONOMEUTIDAE. Ypsolopha sequella. 30/7/56, Monk's Wood, Hunts. L. Watson. • Yponomeuta cagnagella (specimens): photo. YPONOMEUTIDAE. Yponomeuta cagnagella. 25/7/56, Peterborough, Northants. L. Watson. • Yyponomeuta: Kirby. 22, Yyponomeuta evonymella; 23, H. cagnagella. • Yyponomeuta plumbella, neuration. • Argyresthia curvella, neuration. • Ypsolopha ustella: neuration.
We advise against extracting comparative information from the descriptions. This is much more easily achieved using the DELTA data files or the interactive key, which allows access to the character list, illustrations, full and partial descriptions, diagnostic descriptions, differences and similarities between taxa, lists of taxa exhibiting or lacking specified attributes, and distributions of character states within any set of taxa. See also Guidelines for using data taken from Web publications.
Cite this publication as: ‘Watson, L., and Dallwitz, M.J. 2003 onwards. Insects of Britain and Ireland: the families of Lepidoptera. Version: 14th April 2022. delta-intkey.com’.
