Anthophila alpinella

Busck, 1904

Anthophila alpinella is a in the Choreutidae. It ranges across western North America from the northeastern United States and southern Canada to British Columbia, the Rocky Mountains, and along the Pacific Coast to California. The is recognized by cream forewings with heavy brown dusting. Larvae feed on Urtica species, including stinging nettle, and construct webs at leaf tips.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Anthophila alpinella: //ænˈθɒfɪlə ælˌpaɪnˈɛlə//

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Identification

Distinguished from similar Choreutidae by the cream forewings with heavy brown dusting pattern. Specific identification details beyond wing pattern are not documented in available sources.

Habitat

Associated with plant Urtica ; specific preferences beyond host presence are not documented.

Distribution

North America: northeastern United States, southern Canada, British Columbia, Rocky Mountains, Pacific Coast to Marin County, California. Also recorded from Belgium based on GBIF data, though this may represent misidentification or vagrant occurrence given the primary North American range.

Seasonality

active early June to early July and September in Canada. Larvae present in April, July, and August.

Diet

Larvae feed on Urtica , including Urtica dioica (stinging nettle). diet not documented.

Host Associations

Urtica dioica - larval food plantstinging nettle
Urtica - larval food plant-level association

Life Cycle

Larval stage occurs in April, July, and August. and details not documented. emerge in early June to early July, with a second or partial second in September in Canada.

Behavior

Larvae form webs at the tips of plant leaves. beyond periods is not documented.

Ecological Role

Herbivore as larva, feeding on Urtica . Specific functions not documented.

Similar Taxa

Anthophila fabricianaSynonym relationship per Catalogue of Life; A. alpinella listed as synonym of A. fabriciana

More Details

Taxonomic Status

Anthophila alpinella is listed as a synonym of Anthophila fabriciana in Catalogue of Life and GBIF, though treated as valid in other sources including NCBI and iNaturalist. The taxonomic relationship requires further clarification.

Original Description

Originally described as Hemerophila alpinella by Busck in 1904.