Coleophoridae

37.101 Wormwood Case-bearer Coleophora albicans Zeller, 1849

Notable A

Similar species:

Forewing: 5 to 6mm

Habitats: Salt-marsh and sea-walls.

Habits:

Foodplant: The larva feeds on Sea Wormwood. It at first mines the leaves, then later feeds on the seeds from a soft ochreous-grey case with a granular surface. This later gains dark striations because the larva cuts lengthways gussets to enlarge the girth. It is full-fed by September when it overwinters. It then pupates in June attached low on a stem. The fully formed squat and tubular, trivalved case is 6 to 7mm long, m.o. 15° to 30° angle.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Wormwood and Field Wormwood.