The micro moth genus Agonopterix in the Netherlands (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae: Depressariinae)

In this paper the Dutch species of the micro moth genus Agonopterix are presented. The identification is notoriously difficult. Therefore high quality illustrations of the male and female genitalia are provided. A revision of the Dutch material proved that A. atomella and A. capreolella have to be removed from the Dutch list, whereas A. oinochra is new to the Dutch fauna. Several species have disappeared from the Netherlands, of which Agonopterix laterella is the most conspicuous. The caterpillar lives on cornflower, a beautiful blue flower that once gave colour to the Dutch agricultural landscape. Now it has almost disappeared, taking Agonopterix laterella along in its fall. Distribution maps and phenology charts are provided for all 23 Dutch species.