Diurnea fagella explained

The March dagger moth (Diurnea fagella) is a moth of the subfamily Chimabachinae. It is found in Europe and was first described by Michael Denis & Ignaz Schiffermüller in 1775.

Description

The wingspan of the male is from 26–30 mm The female is smaller with reduced wings and a wingspan of 15–20 mm. The antennae of the male are shortly and evenly ciliated. Forewings whitish or ochreous whitish, sprinkled or sometimes densely irroratcd with fuscous and dark fuscous ; an indistinct blackish angulated transverse line about 1/3, not reaching dorsum ; stigmata black, first discal double, followed by another black dot, plical confluent with transverse line, second discal forming a transverse mark or pair of dots ; often an angulated and indented blackish subterminal line. Hindwings are light grey.The larva is grey - green ; head yellowish-grey ; 3rd pair of legs placed on tubercle..^[1] Melanic forms are common in both male and female and can be found in some northern and industrial areas of England. In northern Scotland only pale specimens are found and albinistic forms can be found everywhere.^[2]

The moth flies in one generation from March to May depending on the location. During the day males rest on tree trunks; the smaller female may be found at nightfall low down on trunks.^[3]

EggEggs are laid from March to May in batches of one hundred or more on the twigs or shoots of many species of deciduous trees and shrubs. Species found are aspen (Populus tremula), beech (Fagus sylvatica), birch (Betula species), blackberry (Rubus fruticosus), blackthorn (Prunus spinosa),bullrush (Typha species), field maple (Acer campestre), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), hazel (Corylus avellana), hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), oak (Quercus species), poplar (Populus species) and willow (Salix species).^[4]

LarvaIn the final instar larvae are about 25 mm long and can grow to 28 mm. The body is pale greyish green, the head is yellowish orange and the prothoracic plate is translucent green and sometimes there is a faint brown ochre lateral mark. The polyphagous larva feed between leaves which are spun flatly above each other on many deciduous trees and shrubs. They grow very slowly from late-May to September or early-October.^{[2] [4]}

PupaPupation takes place in cocoons found in detritus or the soil from October to March.^[2]

Distribution

Found all over Europe, except parts of Russia and Finland.

External links

• waarneming.nl
• Lepidoptera of Belgium
• Diurnea fagella – a common identification puzzle

Notes and References

1. Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf Keys and description
2. Book: Emmet . A Maitland . Langmaid . John R . Bland . K P . Fletcher . D S . Harley . B H . Robinson . G S . Skinner . Bernard . Tremewan . W S . A. Maitland Emmet . Bernard Skinner (entomologist) . The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland. Volume 4, Part 1 . 2002 . 108–10 . Harley Books . Colchester . 0 946589 66 6.
3. Book: Emmet . A M . A. Maitland Emmet . A Field Guide To The Smaller British Lepidoptera . 1988 . . London . 0 9502891 6 7 . 113. Second.
4. Web site: Kimber . Ian . Diurnea fagella . UKmoths . 5 December 2018.