Poison hemlock moth
Common NamePoison hemlock moth
Scientific NameAgonopterix alstroemeriana
FamilyDepressariidae
SubfamilyDepressariinae
Wingspan (mm)20.5
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbeige, light brown, dark brown, orange-brown
HabitatDisturbed areas, roadsides, fields, and waste ground where poison hemlock grows
Geographic RangeNative to Europe and Asia; introduced and established in North America (USA, Canada)
Host PlantsPoison hemlock (Conium maculatum)
Flight PeriodLate summer to spring (overwintering adults)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed internally on the stems and leaves of poison hemlock, often causing gall-like swellings. Pupation occurs within the plant or in the soil.
Identification TipsKey features include its association with poison hemlock, its characteristic cryptic forewing pattern with specific dark and orange-brown spots, and its resting posture with wings held flat.
Description
A small, slender moth with cryptically patterned forewings in shades of beige, light brown, and dark brown, featuring a few distinct orange-brown spots. Its hindwings are typically paler.
