Depressaria radiella

Depressaria radiella
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Depressariidae
Genus: Depressaria
Species:
D. radiella
Binomial name
Depressaria radiella
(Goeze, 1783)
Synonyms
  • Phalaena radiella Goeze, 1783
  • Haemilis pastinacella Duponchel, 1838
  • Phalaena heraclei Retzius, 1783
  • Depressaria heraclei
  • Depressaria sphondiliella Bruand, 1851
  • Depressaria ontariella Bethune, 1870
  • Depressaria caucasica Christoph, 1877
  • Depressaria obscura Dufrane, 1957
  • Depressaria marginata Dufrane, 1957
  • Depressaria lineata Dufrane, 1957

Depressaria radiella, the parsnip moth or parsnip webworm, is a moth of the family Depressariidae. It is found in most of Europe, except Portugal and most of the Balkan Peninsula. This species has also been introduced into New Zealand.

The wingspan is 19–27 millimetres (34–1 in). Separated from similar species by the numerous longitudinal black streaks emanating from central area of discmost terminating at fascia at 3/4 but always finishing before the termen and closely following the venation.

Adults are on wing from August to (after overwintering in a sheltered place) May of the following year. There is one generation per year.

The larvae feed on Heracleum sphondylium, Pastinaca sativa and Apium nodiflorum. They feed on the flowers and developing seeds, defending their territory by enclosing an umbel in silk, while safely metabolizing the ingested furocoumarins. Pupation takes place in the main stem of the food plant.