Agonopterix alstroemeriana — Poison Hemlock Moth

(Clerck, 1759)

Hodges# 0874.1

Etymology

Agonopterix: Combines the Greek agon, meaning “contest” or “an assembly,” and pterix, meaning “wing.”

alstroemeriana: Name after the Swedish naturalist, Baron Clas Alstromer (1736 – 1794), who was a student of Carl Linnaeus. The Latin suffix “iana” is used to form proper nouns.

Pronunciation

ag-uhn-op-triks al-stre-mirh-ee-ay-nuh

Other Common Names

Hemlock moth and Defoliating Hemlock Moth

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the verified sightings of the poison hemlock moth in Indiana. All sightings were confirmed through photographic documentation by individuals who contributed to the Great American IN Nature Lepidoptera Project (GAIN LP).

GAIN LP Sightings of the Poison Hemlock Moth

Date	County	Observer	Notes	Image1	Image2
2024-07-13	Johnson	Kohal-Adams, Kim
2024-07-02	Hamilton	McCord, Dan
2024-06-23	Lake	Halon, Joelle
2024-06-14	Brown	Pollock, Michele
2024-04-17	Lake	Welton, Rick
2024-04-15	Lake	Welton, Rick
2024-04-14	Lake	Welton, Rick
2024-04-10	Lake	Welton, Rick
2024-04-09	Lake	Welton, Rick
2024-03-25	Lake	Welton, Rick

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2024-07-13 County: Johnson Observer: Kohal-Adams, Kim Notes:
Date: 2024-07-02 County: Hamilton Observer: McCord, Dan Notes:
Date: 2024-06-23 County: Lake Observer: Halon, Joelle Notes:
Date: 2024-06-14 County: Brown Observer: Pollock, Michele Notes:
Date: 2024-04-17 County: Lake Observer: Welton, Rick Notes:
Date: 2024-04-15 County: Lake Observer: Welton, Rick Notes:
Date: 2024-04-14 County: Lake Observer: Welton, Rick Notes:
Date: 2024-04-10 County: Lake Observer: Welton, Rick Notes:
Date: 2024-04-09 County: Lake Observer: Welton, Rick Notes:
Date: 2024-03-25 County: Lake Observer: Welton, Rick Notes:

Agonopterix alstroemeriana Sightings by Month

Notes

• Accidentally, introduced into North America, the poison hemlock moth was first observed in New York in 1973.
• This moth overwinters as an adult.

Floral Associates

Poison hemlock moth larvae are specialized feeders on poison hemlock (Conium maculatum).

Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Order: Apiales
Apiaceae	Conium maculatum	poison hemlock