About Depressaria radiella (Goeze, 1783)
Depressaria radiella, commonly known as the parsnip moth or parsnip webworm, is a moth species belonging to the family Depressariidae. It is found across most of Europe, with the exceptions of Portugal and most of the Balkan Peninsula. This species has also been introduced to New Zealand. The wingspan of Depressaria radiella ranges from 19 to 27 millimetres, which is 3⁄4 to 1 inch. It can be distinguished from similar species by its numerous longitudinal black streaks that extend from the central area of the wing disc. Most of these streaks end at a fascia located three-quarters of the way along the wing, but all streaks always terminate before the termen, and they closely follow the wing venation. Adults are active on wing from August through to May of the following year, after overwintering in a sheltered location. There is one generation of the species per year. The larvae feed on Heracleum sphondylium, Pastinaca sativa, and Apium nodiflorum. They consume the flowers and developing seeds of these plants, and defend their feeding area by wrapping an umbel in silk. During this time, they safely metabolize ingested furocoumarins. Pupation occurs within the main stem of the host food plant.
