About Agonopterix purpurea Haworth, 1812
Agonopterix purpurea is a species of moth in the family Depressariidae, first described by Haworth in 1812. It can be found across most of Europe. This moth has a wingspan that ranges from 13 to 15 millimeters. Its head is grey, and its face is white. The forewings are crimson-fuscous, mixed with dark fuscous and whitish scales, with a higher concentration of whitish scales especially towards the costa; the base of the forewings is even more whitish. The first discal stigma is black, with a whitish edge along its posterior side. It is preceded by a similar black dot that sits obliquely above the stigma. The second discal stigma is white, edged with dark fuscous. Between and above these two stigmas, there is a dark fuscous blotch that extends all the way to the costa. The hindwings are light grey, becoming darker towards their posterior ends. Fully grown larvae are yellowish, with black heads and a black sclerotized plate on the second body segment. Adults of this species are active on the wing from August through to May or June. The larvae feed on the plants Anthriscus sylvestris, Chaerophyllum temulum, Daucus carota, and Torilis japonica. This species overwinters in the adult life stage. Pupation occurs inside a cocoon located in the earth.
