Agonopterix scopariella ( HEINEMANN, 1870 )

Buchner, Peter & Karsholt, Ole, 2019, Depressariinae of Madeira and the Azores Islands (Lepidoptera: Depressariidae), Beiträge Zur Entomologie = Contributions to Entomology 69 (2), pp. 331-353 : 333-335

Agonopterix scopariella ( HEINEMANN, 1870)

( Figs 2 – 4, 8, 10)

Depressaria scopariella HEINEMANN, 1870: 149 .

Depressaria conciliatella sensu auct. (nec REBEL); See remarks.

Examined material: Madeira. 1 , Monte, coll. Bethune- Baker, genitalia slide BM 19853 ( NHMUK); 1, Funchal

Lido , 4–14.ix.1973, leg. N. L. Wolff; 1 , 2 , Serra d'Água, 660 m, 7.ix.1973, leg. O. Lomholdt & N. L. Wolff; 1 , same data but 17.x.1994, leg. O. Karsholt; 1 , Serra d'Água, Pousada, 660 m, 31.viii.1975, leg. N. L. Wolff; 1 , same data but Pousada dos Vinhaticos, 15–16. vi.1976; 1 , same data but Central, 600 m, found dead, 15.–16.vi.1976; 1 , Madeira, Fajã da Nogueira, 1000 m, 20.viii.1974, leg. E. Traugott-Olsen; 1 , Rabaçal, 1050 m, 22.viii.1974, leg. E. Traugott-Olsen; 1 , Ribeira das Cales, 1000 m, 28.VIII.1975, leg. N. L. Wolff; 1 , Madeira, Caniço, 12–18.ix.1977, leg. O. Lomholdt & N. L. Wolff (all ZMUC) ; 1 , Ilha, Quinta Grande , Cabo Girao, 22.v.1989, leg. M. Hellers (ZfB); 1 , Ponta del Sol , 0–10 m, 12.vi.1993, leg. O. Karsholt; 1 , Encumeada, 1000 m, l 8.vi.1993, leg. O. Karsholt; 1 , Eira de Serrado , 1450 m, 15.x.1997, leg. B. Skule (all ZMUC) ; 1 , C. Lobos, Curral das Freiras, road to Colmeal, 29.ix.1998, leg. F. Aguiar ( ICLAM) .

Description: Adult ( Figs 2 –4). Wingspan 18–22 mm, ground colour variable, e.g. pale greyish, pale yellowish, reddish brown, dark brown. Dark scales irregularly interspersed, number varying from nearly absent to rather dense. Oblique pair of dots at 1/3 ( Fig. 1C ) and pair of dots at 1/2 ( Fig. 1E ) present, usually all accompanied with white scales especially on outer margin, diffuse dark spot ( Fig. 1D ) present. Basal field ( Fig. 1B ) markedly paler than ground colour of forewing, divided from ground colour by a narrow dark line in rear half, confluent with ground colour in front

CONTRIBUTIONS TO ENTOMOLOGY: BEITRÄGE ZUR ENTOMOLOGIE — 69 (2) 331–353

Fig. 6: A. conciliatella , Portugal, Madeira, Encumeada , 1000 m, 16.vi.1993, e. l. Genista tenera , leg. O. Karsholt, coll. ZMUC .

half. Outer magin (termen, Fig. 1F ) concave or at least

straight, but not convex.

Diagnosis: Similar to A. conciliatella , for details see there. A. subpropinquella (not found in Madeira), a species frequently confused with A. scopariella , has no white scales in the forewing dots and a much less distinct basal field.

For genitalia differences of A. scopariella and A. conciliatella see paragraph “diagnosis” under the next species.

Bionomics: Larvae on Fabaceae , e.g. Cytisus scopa-

rius (L.) Link.

Distribution: A widespread and in the Mediterranian

area a very common species.

Remarks: A. scopariella is the only species of Depressariinae which is common in Madeira. It was first recorded by CARVALHO (1995: 563), but most earlier records of ‘ Depressaria ’ conciliatella by e.g. WALSINGHAM (1894: 546) refer to A. scopariella .

Figures

Fig. 2: A. scopariella , Madeira, Santo da Serra, 15.v.1967, e. l. Sarothamnus, leg. F. Kasy, coll. NHMW. – Fig. 3: A. scopariella , Greece, Peloponnes, Mystras, 3.vi.2009, ex larva, leg. & coll. P. Sonderegger. – Fig. 4: A. scopariella , Spain, Mallorca, Puig Mayor, 22.vi.1969, e.l. Calycotome spinosa, leg. J. Klimesch, coll. ZSM.

Fig. 1: Basic wing patterns, shown with A. conciliatella as an example. – A.Ground colour of forewings. – B. Basal field of forewing. Contrast against ground colour and further details may be of diagnostic value.– C. Oblique pair of dots at 1/3. Distance, presence of white scales, shape, absence of one or both dots may be of diagnostic value. – D. Diffuse dark spot. – E. Pair of dots at 1/2. Distance, presence of white scales, absence of one or both dots may be of diagnostic value. – F. Outer margin (termen): Outline (concave, straight, convex) may be of diagnostic value.