Coleophoridae

37.091 Blite Case-bearer Coleophora deviella Zeller, 1847

pRDB3

Similar species:

Forewing: 4.5 to 6mm

Habitats: Salt-marsh.

Habits:

Foodplant: The larva mines the seeds of Annual Sea-blite. It probably does not construct a case until a late instar, as small ones have not been recorded. Once it has the case it may feed on the leaves as well as the seeds. The fully formed cylindrical silk case tapers slightly at the rear. It is pale ochreous, trivalved and 8 to 9mm long, m.o. at a 20° to 30° angle. The larva is full-fed by October when it overwinters low on a stem, often just below the mud. It pupates in May on a stem or other foliage, but higher than the overwintering site.