Acrolophus popeanella (Clemens' grass tubeworm moth) is a moth of the family Acrolophidae.[1] It was described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1859.

Clemens' grass tubeworm moth
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Tineidae
Genus: Acrolophus
Species:
A. popeanella
Binomial name
Acrolophus popeanella
(Clemens, 1859)
Synonyms
  • Anaphora popeanella Clemens, 1859
  • Anaphora agrotipennella Grote, 1872
  • Anaphora scardina Zeller, 1873
  • Anaphora morrisoni Walsingham, 1887
  • Anaphora confusellus Dyar, 1900

Description edit

Adults of Acrolophus popleanella have dark brown wings with lighter brown blotches and a striped pattern near the lowermost margin of the forewings. Their wings are held folded in a tent-like formation over their bodies when at rest. They have a wingspan of 24-33 mm and are 11 to 14 mm long. A tuft of elongated, hairlike scales give them a "helmeted" appearance.[2]

Range and Habitat edit

A. popeanella is found in the eastern United States, from New Jersey and Ohio south to Florida and west to Illinois, Nebraska and Texas. They are commonly observed in a variety of environments, including grasslands, agricultural areas and urban environments.[2]

Ecology edit

The larvae feed on the roots of Trifolium pratense.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ Beccaloni, G.; Scoble, M.; Kitching, I.; Simonsen, T.; Robinson, G.; Pitkin, B.; Hine, A.; Lyal, C., eds. (2003). "Acrolophus popeanella​". The Global Lepidoptera Names Index. Natural History Museum.
  2. ^ a b "Moths of North Carolina". auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  3. ^ Bug Guide