Enteucha acetosae explained

Enteucha acetosae, the pygmy sorrel moth, is a moth of the family Nepticulidae found in Europe. It is one of the smallest moths in the world with some having a wingspan of only 3mm. The larvae mine the leaves of docks (Rumex species), leaving bright red tissue around the mines.

Life history

The wingspan is 3–4 mm. (one of the world's smallest moths).^[1] The head is fuscous to blackish. Antennal eyecaps whitish. Forewings shining bronze; a broad shining silvery fascia at 3/4, preceded by a fuscous suffusion apical area beyond this rather dark purplish-fuscous. Hindwings grey.^[2] There are two to three generations in western and central Europe.

OvumEggs are laid on the underside of common sorrel (Rumex acetosa), sheep's sorrel (Rumex acetosella) and French sorrel (Rumex scutatus).^{[3] [4]}

LarvaeLarvae are pale amber/yellow with a greenish gut. The head is pale amber with a faint brown tinge.^[3] They mine the leaves of their host plant.^[4]

PupaPupation is outside of the mine in a white cocoon, spun on detritius, which turns yellow as it ages.^{[3] [4] [5]}

Distribution

The moth is found in Europe, from Sweden to the Pyrenees, Alps and Serbia and from Ireland to Romania.^[6]

Etymology

Enteucha acetosae was described by the English entomologist, Henry Tibbats Stainton in 1854, from a specimen found in Dublin, Ireland. It was originally placed in the genus Nepticula, moved to Johanssonia and at present, Enteucha; which was raised by Edward Meyrick in 1915. The specific name acetosae refers to one of the food plants Rumex acetosa.^[7]

External links

• Swedish Moths
• Euteucha acetosae images at Consortium for the Barcode of Life

Notes and References

1. Web site: Kimber . Ian . Enteucha acetosae (Stainton, 1854) . UKmoths . 8 December 2022.
2. Meyrick, E., A Handbook of British Lepidoptera. London: MacMillan, 1895.
3. Book: Emmet . A M . A. Maitland Emmet . Nepticulidae. In The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland. Volume 1 . 1983 . . Colchester . 0-946589-15-1 . 266.
4. Web site: Ellis . W N . Enteucha acetosae (Stainton, 1854) sorrel pigmy . Plant Parasites of Europe . 8 December 2022.
5. Book: Emmet . A E . A Field Guide to the Smaller British Lepidoptera . 1988 . British Entomological and Natural History Society . London . 0-9502891-6-7 . 31 . Second.
6. Web site: Enteucha acetosae (Stainton, 1854) . Fauna Europaea . 8 December 2022.
7. Book: Emmet . A Maitland . A. Maitland Emmet . The Scientific Names of the British Lepidoptera. Their history and meaning . 1991 . . Colchester . 0-946589-35-6 . 48.