Common Flat-body vs Common Grass-veneer

Agonopterix heracliana compared with Agriphila tristellus

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common Flat-body	Common Grass-veneer
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class same	Insecta (Insects)	Insecta (Insects)
Order same	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Depressariidae	Crambidae
Genus	Agonopterix	Agriphila
Species	Agonopterix heracliana	Agriphila tristellus

Evolutionary Relationship

Common Flat-body and Common Grass-veneer share a common ancestor at the Order level: Lepidoptera. (Butterflies & Moths)

Conservation Status

Common Flat-body

LC — Least Concern

Common Grass-veneer

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common Flat-body	Common Grass-veneer
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Common Flat-body

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Common Grass-veneer

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Common Flat-body

<em>Agonopterix heracliana</em> is a moth belonging to the family Depressariidae within the order Lepidoptera. Commonly known as the common flat-body, this species is named for the flattened resting posture characteristic of the genus Agonopterix. The species is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, with no indication of significant population decline. <em>Agonopterix heracliana</em> is distributed across northwestern Europe, with documented occurrences in Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Larvae of this species are typically associated with plants in the family Apiaceae, particularly hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) and related umbellifers, upon which they feed while sheltering in rolled or folded leaves. Adults are typically brownish with subtle markings and are active from late summer through winter and early spring, overwintering as adults — an unusual life history trait among moths. The species inhabits hedgerows, woodland margins, and meadows where its host plants are abundant. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.

Common Grass-veneer

<em>Agriphila tristellus</em>, commonly known as the common grass veneer, is a small moth belonging to the genus Agriphila within the family Crambidae. This species occupies virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats, suggesting a broad ecological tolerance within its range. Its documented distribution includes Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, indicating a range centered on northwestern and Scandinavian Europe. The species is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, reflecting stable population status across its range. Common grass veneer moths typically inhabit grasslands and rough vegetation where larval foodplants are available. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 4 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden