Adela cuprella | |
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Female | |
Male | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Adelidae |
Genus: | Adela |
Species: | A. cuprella |
Binomial name | |
Adela cuprella (Denis & Schiffermuller, 1775) |
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Synonyms | |
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Adela cuprella is a moth of the Adelidae family. It is found in most of Europe, except Portugal, Slovenia and most of the Balkan Peninsula.
The wingspan is 14–17 mm. The forewings are bronzy metallic with a purplish sheen. Adults are day-active and are on wing from mid April to early May.
The females lay their eggs on the catkins of Salix. Older larvae drop to the ground and feed on dead leaf litter. They live in a portable case constructed from plant debris. The larvae overwinters two to three times. Pupation takes place within the case.