Coleophoridae

37.065 Bugloss Case-bearer Coleophora pennella ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Notable A

Similar species:

Forewing: 7 to 10mm

Habitats: Breckland, dry grassland, sandy soils and shingle beaches.

Habits: The moth appears to be nocturnal.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on Viper's Bugloss, Alkanet or Hound's-tongue. It initially forms an oval blotch mine in a leaf centre, from which it cuts its first case. Soon after this it attaches to a stem or adjacent foliage and overwinters. In the spring it mines the leaves from the under surface or from the margin. While doing this it repeatedly extends its case until it resembles a sallow catkin. This final catkin-like case is about 12mm long, m.o. at a 70° angle. It pupates attached to a stem, although some larvae wander and attach themselves to other plants, fences or trunks at up to just over a metre height.