About Agonopterix arenella (Denis & Schiffermüller), 1775
Agonopterix arenella (Denis & Schiffermüller), 1775 is a moth species belonging to the family Depressariidae. It occurs across almost all of Europe, with the exception of the Iberian Peninsula. This moth has a wingspan of 19 to 23 mm. Its forewings are whitish ochreous, are more or less suffused with fuscous, and sprinkled with dark fuscous. The costa of the forewings is spotted with dark fuscous. The first discal stigma is black, and there is an additional black dot placed obliquely before and above the stigma. The second discal stigma is indistinct and dark fuscous. A dark fuscous spot sits between and above both stigmas, and small dark fuscous dots are present along the terminal edge of the forewing. The hindwings are pale whitish-fuscous. The larvae are green overall, with paler coloration along the sides. They have dark green dorsal and subdorsal lines, blackish dots, and a light brownish-ochreous head. The second body segment has two blackish spots. The larvae feed on a range of host plants: Arctium lappa, Carduus, Carlina, Centaurea jacea, Centaurea nigra, Centaurea scabiosa, Cirsium vulgare, Knautia, Serratula tinctoria, and Sonchus. They feed by mining into the leaves of their host plants. Active larvae of this species can be found from May through early August.
