Agriphila straminella

Distinguished from similar grass-veneer moths (Agriphila spp.) by the combination of: whitish median streak on forewing ending in branches along veins 2–5; dorsal two-thirds often suffused with whitish-ochreous; metallic cilia; and dark grey hindwings. The branching pattern of the median streak and the overall brown ground color with contrasting pale dorsal suffusion are key features. Similar species such as Agriphila tristella lack this specific streak branching pattern and dorsal coloration.

Grasslands, meadows, agricultural fields, and other areas with abundant grasses. Associated with habitats supporting its larval host plants including sheep's fescue, smooth meadowgrass, and wheat.

Europe and eastward across the Palearctic region. Documented from Belgium (including Brussels-Capital Region, Flemish Region, Walloon Region, and Antwerpen province), United Kingdom (including Wytham Woods, Oxfordshire and Scougal Moor, Isle of Bute, Scotland), and other European countries.

Adults fly from June to September, with exact timing depending on location.

Larvae feed on various grasses: sheep's fescue (Festuca ovina), smooth meadowgrass (Poa pratensis), and wheat (Triticum aestivum). Adult feeding habits not documented.

• Festuca ovina - larval food plantsheep's fescue
• Poa pratensis - larval food plantsmooth meadowgrass
• Triticum aestivum - larval food plantwheat

Larval stage feeds on grasses. Pupation and other developmental details not documented in available sources. Adults emerge June–September.

Adults are attracted to light traps. Nocturnal flight activity during summer months.

Larval herbivore on grasses; contributes to nutrient cycling in grassland ecosystems. Potential minor pest in wheat cultivation.

Minor agricultural significance due to larval feeding on wheat. Subject of genomic research; chromosomally complete genome assembly of 511.50 Mb published, including 26 chromosomal pseudomolecules and 12,087 protein-coding genes.

• Agriphila tristellaSimilar grass-veneer moth but lacks the characteristic whitish median streak branching along veins 2–5 and the whitish-ochreous dorsal suffusion seen in A. straminella.

• moth
• Crambidae
• grassland
• agricultural pest
• genome sequenced
• Palearctic
• Europe
• grass feeder

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• The genome sequence of the Straw Grass-veneer moth, Agriphila straminella (Denis & Schiffermüller), 1775.