Merrifieldia baliodactylus

Merrifieldia baliodactylus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Pterophoridae
Genus: Merrifieldia
Species:
M. baliodactylus
Binomial name
Merrifieldia baliodactylus
(Zeller, 1841)
Synonyms
  • Merrifieldia baliodactyla
  • Pterophorus baliodactylus Zeller, 1841
  • Alucita tridactylus Stephens, 1834
  • Pterophorus daliodactilus Bruand, 1850

Merrifieldia baliodactylus, also known as the dingy white plume, is a moth of the family Pterophoridae found in most of Europe. It was first described by the German entomologist, Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1841.[1]

Fig. 8 larva after final moult 8a pupa

The wingspan is 20–27 millimetres (0.79–1.06 in). Adults are on wing from July to August in one generation in western Europe.[2]

The larvae feed on Oregano (Origanum vulgare), biting through the stem and causing the upper leaves to wilt.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Merrifieldia baliodactylus (Zeller, 1841)". Fauna Europaea. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  2. ^ Kimber, Ian. "Merrifieldia baliodactylus (Zeller, 1841)". UKmoths. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  3. ^ Ellis, W N. "Merrifieldia baliodactylus (Zeller, 1841) dingy white plume". Plant Parasites of Europe. Retrieved 30 July 2020.