Description of immature stages of Nemophora bellela (Walker, 1863) (Lepidoptera: Adelidae)

Abstract

Little life history data is available on the larvae of Adelidae (Lepidoptera, Adeloidea). We provide information on the life history of Nemophora bellela (Walker, 1863), a circumpolar adelid species occurring in northern Europe on peat bogs and open tundra with Betula nana. The habitat is described and details of the larval behavior and larval diet are provided. The later instar larvae are case dwelling and feed on the ground on detritus. The larval case and chaetotaxy are described in detail. The female pupal exuviae is described. Our observations on the life history of N. bellela are in general agreement with the known details of the life history of related species, but some differences were also observed.