Coleophoridae

37.017 Sloe Case-bearer Coleophora prunifoliae Doets, 1944

Notable B

Similar species:

Forewing: 4.5 to 5.5mm

Habitats: Deciduous woodland margins, hedgerows, inland and coastal scrub.

Habits: The moth is nocturnal.

Foodplant: The larva initially forms a composite pistol shaped case on Blackthorn, Wild Plum or occasionally apple or Sour Cherry. Then after feeding for only a couple of weeks the small larva overwinters. In the spring the larva feeds from blotch mines under a leaf. The final brown, tubular, trivalved leaf case is 6 to 7mm long, m.o. at a 45° angle. The pupa is attached to a twig or leaf of the foodplant. On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Bullace, Wild Cherry, Mahaleb Cherry, Common Whitebeam, Rowan, Quince, Apricot, Firethorn and Cotoneaster franchetii.