Coleophoridae

37.068 Saltern Rush Case-bearer Coleophora adjunctella Hodgkinson, 1882

Notable B

Similar species:

Forewing: 4 to 5mm

Habitats: Salt-marsh.

Habits:

Foodplant: The larva at first feeds on the developing seeds in the seed-heads of Salt-marsh Rush. The larva then makes a case which consists of a hollowed-out complete seed-capsule that is lined with silk, which it attaches to the side of another seed-capsule making it very difficult to see. It is about 4mm long, m.o. at a 10° to 30° angle. It can be detected by looking for feeding holes in the sides of surrounding seed-heads. Then looking at the seed-head with a magnifying glass. The larva is over earlier than Coleophora glaucicolella which also makes holes in the seed-capsules. In September the larva is full-fed and leaves the feeding place to overwinter, before pupation attached low on a stem in May.