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
2021-03-08	Porter	Joll, Chris	A
2020-10-12	Porter	Lump, Maggie	Adult
2020-10-10	Porter	Joll, Chris	Adult
2020-10-08	Boone	Jaskula, Jeanette	Adult
2020-07-25	Elkhart	Mitchell, Carole	Adult
2020-07-23	Elkhart	Byers, Ronda	Adult
2020-07-19	Brown	Pollock, Michele	Adult
2020-07-18	Fayette	English, Philip	Adult
2020-07-17	Porter	Joll, Chris	Adult
2020-07-15	Porter	Joll, Chris	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2021-03-08 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes: A
Date: 2020-10-12 County: Porter Observer: Lump, Maggie Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-10-10 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-10-08 County: Boone Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-25 County: Elkhart Observer: Mitchell, Carole Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-23 County: Elkhart Observer: Byers, Ronda Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-19 County: Brown Observer: Pollock, Michele Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-18 County: Fayette Observer: English, Philip Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-17 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes: Adult
Date: 2020-07-15 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes: Adult

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