Coleophoridae

37.090 Mugwort Case-bearer Coleophora artemisicolella Bruand, [1855]

Local

Similar species:

Forewing: 5 to 6mm

Habitats: Wasteground, verges and rough grassland.

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

Foodplant: The larva feeds on the seeds and occasionally the leaves of Mugwort. The case is formed from an empty seed-head which is spun to a succession of other seed-heads while they are bored from the side. The larva can be located by searching for the conspicuous holes in the sides of the seed-heads and when found, searching for the well camouflaged case. The fully formed trivalved case is made of silk amalgamated with granular material and enclosed in a withered seed-head. It is 6mm long, m.o. at a 25° angle. The larva is full-fed by late September when it overwinters. It pupates in June attached low down on a stem.