Coleophoridae

37.052 Oak Pistol Case-bearer Coleophora ibipennella Zeller, 1849

Local

Similar species:

Forewing: 4.5 to 6.5mm

Habitats: Deciduous woodland.

Habits: The moth is nocturnal.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on oaks, including occasionally Holm Oak. The larva mines the leaves, then builds a small case and grazes on the under surface of the leaf until it is ready to overwinter. In the spring it feeds on the leaf-buds then on the male catkins occasionally cutting leaf cuticle to expand its case. It also eats out windows from the upper surface of the leaf. The case is gradually covered in woolly layer from the rear end to about half-way down the case. The final case is 7mm long, m.o. at a 60 to 80° angle. It pupates attached to a leaf or a twig.

On the European mainland it has been recorded feeding on Sessile Oak and Downy Oak.