Coleophoridae

37.014 Blackthorn Case-bearer Coleophora coracipennella (Hübner, 1796)

Local

Similar species:

Forewing: 4 to 5.5mm

Habitats: Deciduous woodland, hedgerows, orchards and scrub.

Habits:

Foodplant: The larva makes an initial blotch mine from where it cuts its first pistol shaped case, on the leaves of Blackthorn, Wild Plum and less often apples, Bird Cherry, Sour Cherry or Hawthorns. It overwinters, then in the spring continues making blotch mines from a new tubular red-brown case on the underside of the leaves. This final trivalved case is 6 to 7mm long, m.o. at a 45° angle. It pupates on the surface of a leaf or twig in a sunny position. On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Crab Apple, Rowan and Cotoneaster.