Aphomia zelleri

Description

Aphomia zelleri is a species of snout moth in the genus Aphomia. It was described by Joseph de Joannis in 1932, and is known from Central Asia and most of Europe. The wingspan is 19–27 mm. Adults are on wing from June to August. The larvae feed on Brachythecium albicans and Ammophila species. They live in a vertical silken tube extending about 100 mm into the sand. The species overwinters in the larval stage. Pupation takes place in the silken tube, just below the surface. Aphomia is a genus of small moths belonging to the family Pyralidae. Some breed in the nests of Anthophila (bees and bumblebees), where their caterpillars are parasitic feeders of wax, honey and pollen.