The Flat-bodies (Depressariidae) were previously described as a subfamily under the Gelechioidea, but are now a family of their own. The caterpillars mainly live in a cocoon made of leaves, flowers, seeds, and silk. The caterpillars of a few species are leaf miners or burrow into a stem.
Subfamily: Depressariinae
Genus: Agonopterix
Large Carrot Flat-body – 2018 (NL)
(NCBI-index: 1.666438)
The most common species within the Flat-bodies is the Large Carrot Flat-body (Agonopterix ciliella). This moth is very similar to the Common Flat-body (Agonopterix heracliana). The difference is best seen in the wing fringes. In the Common Flat-body there are only one or two dark bands, while in the Large Carrot Flat-body, there are two bands on the inside and outside with five lighter bands in between. The legs also differ. The last segments of the Large Carrot Flat-body are dark-coloured, while these are light-coloured with the Common Flat-body. The flying period is from August to May, and the wingspan is 19-24mm. Host plant: Wild Angelica, Wild Parsnip, and Hogweed. Dutch name: Bonte kaartmot. Frisian name: –
Flying period:
Subfamily: Depressariinae
Genus: Agonopterix
Broom Flat-body – 2018 (FR)
(NCBI-index: 596664)
The Broom Flat-body (Agonopterix scopariella) is rarely seen in the Netherlands. This Flat-body is tied to sunny places with many broom bushes. On my holiday in the Vendée, where it was over 30 °C at that time, so in an ideal environment. The top of the wing is bright yellow-brown to cream-coloured with many dark speckles. The wing has a black spot with a white spot right next to it, the edge of which is reddish-brown. In addition, a second white spot can be seen. The two white spots are a marker to distinguish it from the Ruddy Flat-body (Agonopterix subpropinquella). Near the more significant black mark, towards the base, are two slightly clearer black dots. The flying period is from August to April, and the wingspan is 13-16mm. Host plant: Gorse. Dutch name: Vale bremkaartmot. Frisian name: –
Flying period:
Subfamily: Depressariinae
Genus: Agonopterix
Dark-fringed Flat-body – 2018 (FR)
(NCBI-index: 1.666440)
A Flat-body that is not very often seen in the Netherlands is the Gorse Tip Moth (Agonopterix nervosa). The top of the forewing is soft brown to slightly yellowish with a streak along the costa, which is noticeably lighter colored. In the centre of the wing is a light elongated spot. The oval mark closest to the base is black, and the other is white with a reddish-brown border. Near the white oval mark is a reddish-brown elongated spot. The wing fringes are much darker than the wing itself, and the apex is quite pointed. The flying period in one generation is from June to September, and the wingspan is 16-22mm. Host plant: Gorse, Broom, and Dyer’s Greenwood. Dutch name: Spitse kaartmot. Frisian name: –
Flying period:
Subfamily: Depressariinae
Genus: Agonopterix
Red-letter Flat-body – 2019 (NL)
(NCBI-index: 1.594225)
The Red-letter Flat-body (Agonopterix ocellana) gets its name from the red, a grey-brown spot in the middle of the wing. There is also a reddish short streak and a red-circled white dot on 3/5 of the wing. Furthermore, the wing is pale sandy brown with black speckles. The flying period is in one generation all year round, and the wingspan is 19-23mm. Host plant: Willow. Dutch name: Rodevlekkaartmot. Frisian name: –
Flying period:
Subfamily: Depressariinae
Genus: Agonopterix
Brindled Flat-body – 2019 (NL)
(NCBI-index: 1.594222)
The forewing of the Brindled Flat-body (Agonopterix arenella) is pale sandy brown and sometimes mottled reddish-brown with a fine black speckle. On 1/3 of the wing are two oblique black dots and a black dot at half of the wing. Dark grey spots and several grey markings along the costa are between the black dots. Several black dots can be seen along the termen. The flying period is one generation throughout the year, and the wingspan is 16-22mm. Host plant: Thistles. Dutch name: Bleke kaartmot. Frisian name: –
Flying period:
Subfamily: Depressariinae
Genus: Agonopterix
Powdered Flat-body – 2019 (NL)
(NCBI-index: 1.857955)
The month of April nevertheless yielded several new species in the flat-bodied family. Since it was reported on several websites that the Powdered Flat-body (Agonopterix curvipunctosa) was rare, I had long doubts about the correct naming of this specimen. Consultation with experts confirmed my suspicion. The forewing is grey-brown dotted with black scales. The black spots are so close together that they look like a moon. The flying period is from August to May in one generation, and the wingspan is approx. 16mm. Host plant: Cow Parsley and Chervil. Dutch name: Waddenkaartmot. Frisian name: –
Flying period:
Subfamily: Depressariinae
Genus: Agonopterix
Coastal Flat-body – 2019 (NL)
(NCBI-index: 1.857959)
The wings of the Coastal Flat-body (Agonopterix yeatiana) are grey-brown to brown-white and light in colour. The stigma is surrounded by dark red, often with a dark spot above it. Both oval marks are small and black. The fringes are checkered in black, and from the fringes, some faint black lines run towards the stigma. A row of black dots can be seen along the termen. The flying period is one generation throughout the year, and the wingspan is 18-22mm. Host plant: Wild Carrot and Hemlock. Dutch name: Peenkaartmot. Frisian name: –
Flying period:
Subfamily: Depressariinae
Genus: Agonopterix
Black-spot Flat-body – 2023 (NL)
(NCBI-index: 1.430472)
The Black-spot Flat-body (Agonopterix propinquella) can be confused with the Ruddy Flat-body (Agonopterix subpropinquella). However, the Black-spot Flat-body has a pale grey or brown ground colour with a dark-outlined cream-brown spot at the wing root. The Ruddy Flat-body is often reddish brown, and the two conspicuous black spots are smaller than those of the Black-spot Flat-body. In addition, the Black-spot Flat-body has some dark spots along the leading edge of the forewing. The flight period in one generation is all year round, and the wingspan is 16-19mm. Host plant: Spear Thistle and Creeping Thistle. Dutch name: Zwartvlekkaartmot. Frisian name: –
Flying period:
Subfamily: Depressariinae
Genus: Depressaria
Parsnip Moth – 2019 (NL)
(NCBI-index: 1.594273)
The Parsnip Moth (Depressaria radiella) is similar to the Dingy Flat-body (Depressaria daucella) but is usually larger and has a series of black dots on the forewing along the dorsum. The forewing is otherwise pale grey-brown, sand-coloured speckled, and has a series of blackish longitudinal stripes halfway down. At 3/4 is a cross-band that is slightly faded in colour. The flight time is from August to May in one generation, and the wingspan is 19-27mm. Host plant: Hogweed and Wild Parsnip. Dutch name: Pastinaakplatlijfje. Frisian name: –
Flying period:
