Coleophoridae

37.103 Agrimony Case-bearer Coleophora follicularis (Vallot, 1802)

Local

Similar species:

Forewing: 6 to 7mm

Habitats: Downland, woodland rides, damp meadows, humid sea-cliffs, marsh and fens.

Habits: The moth comes to light.

Foodplant: The larva blotch mines the leaves of Hemp Agrimony, Common Fleabane, Ploughman's-spikenard or Elecampane. On Hemp Agrimony it initially makes a small blotch mine and cuts some material from it to make a case. The larva then feeds on the under surface of the upper leaves until August when it attaches itself to a firm surface to overwinter, probably away from the foodplant. It recommences feeding in April making larger brown blotches. The case is extended with silk at the rear and the girth is increased by adding in silk gussets. Only one to three larvae are usually found on a plant. When feeding on Common Fleabane the larva initially cuts a succession of rings of leaf cuticle, each time adding them to the front of its new case. The larva then makes blotch mines from beneath the leaf and expands its case with silk as it does on Hemp Agrimony. It is more gregarious on Common Fleabane. The final case is grey-brown but paler to the rear, tubular and slightly tapering to the trivalved anal opening. It is 10mm long, m.o. at a 10 to 30° angle. It pupates in late May on Hemp Agrimony and mid-June on Common Fleabane, usually near the base of a stem.