Coleophoridae

37.085 Blue Fleabane Case-bearer Coleophora squamosella Stainton, 1856

pRDB2

Similar species:

Forewing: 5 to 6mm

Habitats: Dry calcareous grassland, verges and wasteland.

Habits: The moth flies in the evening and at night.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on the seeds of Blue Fleabane. The case is hidden in the pappus hairs (seed-hairs). The fully formed cylindirical, blackish silk case with a few pappus hairs, is trivalved and 5 to 6mm long, m.o. at a 55° to 70° angle. The larva is full-fed in October, when it overwinters then pupates the following June at ground level.