Coleophoridae

37.080 Goldenrod Case-bearer Coleophora virgaureae Stainton, 1857

Notable B

Similar species:

Forewing: 5 to 6mm

Habitats: Woodland rides, salt-marsh and tidal river-banks.

Habits: The moth flies in the evening and at night and also in the afternoon in dull weather.

Foodplant: The young larva feeds internally on the seeds of Goldenrod and Sea Aster. In the final instar it feeds from a small white, cylindrical case. This case eventually becomes dark brown and has a covering of spiky hairs near the front (the Goldenrod's pappus). The larva feeds hidden in the plants pappus. On Sea Aster the case is decorated with filaments of withered bract rather than pappus hairs. The fully formed case is 5 to 6mm long, m.o. at a 40° to 70° angle. The larva is full-fed in October when it overwinters, pupating in April near the ground.