Coleophoridae

37.041 Petty Whin Case-bearer Coleophora genistae Stainton, 1857

Notable A

Similar species:

Forewing: 5.5 to 6mm

Habitats: Damp heathland, moors and rough grassland.

Habits:

Foodplant: The larva mines the leaves of Petty Whin. It feeds until October when it overwinters and recommences feeding in May. The feeding damage, although evident in March is more obvious later when the leaves are covered in white blotches where the gregarious larvae have fed. The final composite case is greyish-ochreous with a herringbone pattern of leaf fragments, giving it the appearance of a grass spikelet. It is about 6.5-7mm long, m.o. at a 20 to 40° angle. It pupates in early June attached to a stem on the foodplant.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Hairy Greenweed.