Coleophoridae

37.047 Tare Case-bearer Coleophora amethystinella Ragonot, 1885

pRDB2

Similar species:

Forewing: 6.5 to 8.5mm

Habitats: Coastal rough grassland and arable margins.

Habits: The moth is diurnal and flies in sunshine.

Foodplant: The larva feeds internally in a seed pod on the unripe seeds of Smooth Tare. When the seeds are all eaten, it uses the pod as a case, attaching itself to the distal end of another pod and feeding on its unripe seeds. The pod used as a case turns yellow, while the pods still with seeds are green. It may feed on several pods. A trivalved silk lining is formed within the case for overwintering. It pupates near the ground in early May.