Coleophoridae

37.058 Knapweed Case-bearer Coleophora conspicuella Zeller, 1849

pRDB2

Similar species:

Forewing: 6 to 8mm

Habitats: Dry coastal grassy slopes and open scrub.

Habits: The moth is locally abundant at coastal sites.

Foodplant: The larva mines the leaves of Common Knapweed. The early larva makes a small blotch mine which it cuts out to form the start of its case. The larva mines from below the leaves extending the case until it overwinters. In late April it mines the leaves from the under surface, gradually adding to its case and feeding up quickly, becoming full-fed by late May. It pupates in a conspicuous position, usually attached to a grass stem. The final two-valved, curved brown-black case is laterally compressed at the rear, with a narrow ventral keel. It is 12 to 15mm long, m.o. at a 30 to 45° angle.