Coleophoridae

37.050 Sallow Pistol Case-bearer Coleophora albidella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Local

Similar species:

Forewing: 6 to 7.5mm

Habitats: Damp deciduous woodland, marshes, fens and river-banks.

Habits: The moth comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on Grey Willow, Creeping Willow or Eared Willow and sometimes Osier Willow and rarely Goat Willow. The young larva overwinters, then in the spring it burrows into the expanding buds. It then gradually constructs its case from frass, leaf fragments with hairs from the leaves and silk. It does this while skeletonising the leaves, usually from above. The final black pistol shaped case is 7mm long, m.o. at a 70° angle. It pupates on the upper surface of a leaf or less often on a stem.