Coleophoridae

37.075 Sea-purslane Case-bearer Coleophora salinella Stainton, 1859

Notable A

Similar species:

Forewing: 4 to 6mm

Habitats: The inner borders of salt-marshes and sea walls.

Habits: The moth flies in the evening and occasionally comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva at first feeds internally on the seeds of Grass-leaved Orache, Sea-purslane and Common Seablite. After the case is formed it also mines the leaves, as well as feeding on the seeds if on Sea-purslane. The fully formed silk case is grey to ochreous-brown, cylinderical and tapered at both ends. It is trivalved, 5.5 to 6mm long, m.o. at a 30° to 45° angle. It overwinters from October (possibly twice on some occasions). It pupates the following June attached to a stem.