Coleophoridae

37.089 Pappus Case-bearer Coleophora pappiferella Hofmann, 1869

pRDB1

Similar species:

Forewing: 5 to 6mm

Habitats: Limestone pavement and downland.

Habits: The moth is easily disturbed in the day and sometimes found on the foodplant's flowers. It flies in the evening and later comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on the seeds of Mountain Everlasting. The initial case is of flimsy white silk with hairs and is hidden in the pappus (seed hairs) of the flowers. By the time the case is fully formed it is cylindrical, has become dark-brown and is adorned with long pappus hairs. It is trivalved and 6.5mm long, m.o. at a 80° angle. It leaves the plant full-fed in August ready to overwinter. It pupates in April.