Coleophoridae

37.007 Yellow Oak Case-bearer Coleophora flavipennella (Duponchel, [1843])

Common

Similar species:

Forewing: 5 to 10.5mm

Habitats: Deciduous woodland.

Habits: The moth comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on Pedunculate Oak and Sessile Oak. It at first makes a silk case, then a tiny mine from which it cuts a tiny case. It then makes lots of small holes in the leaf. The mine with the hole (which persists) is diagnostic of this species. It overwinters in a bud axil. It feeds in the spring on catkins, from a new case and also mines leaves. It has a very similar case to that of C. lutipennella. The final case is 7mm long, m.o. at a 45° angle. It pupates attached to the upper surface of a leaf or on the host trees trunk. On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Sweet Chestnut and Northern Red Oak.