Coleophora alticolella

Coleophora alticolella is a moth of the family Coleophoridae, found in Europe and North America.

Coleophora alticolella
Coleophora alticolella, Trawscoed, North Wales
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Coleophoridae
Genus:	Coleophora
Species:	C. alticolella
Binomial name
Coleophora alticolella Zeller, 1849[1]

Descriptions

The wingspan is 10–12 mm. Head pale ochreous. Antennae white, ringed with light fuscous anteriorly except at apex. Forewings light yellow-ochreous ; costa white to near apex ; veins marked with fine whitish lines ; costal cilia posteriorly pale yellow-ochreous, tips white. Hindwings grey.[2] Adults are on wing from June to July and possibly again from late April to May.[3]

First generation larvae feed on the seedheads of rushes (Juncus species), woodrush (Luzula species) and club-rush (Scirpus species), while the second generation feeds on glasswort (Salicornia species). They create a whitish case with yellowish brown granules. It is about 6 mm long with a mouth angle of 0°-5°.[4]

Distribution

The moth is found in most of Europe (including Iceland) and is also known from North America.[1][5]

References

1. "Coleophora alticolella Zeller, 1849". Fauna Europaea. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
2. Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Keys and description
3. Kimber, Ian. "37.073 BF584 Coleophora alticolella Zeller, 1849". UKmoths. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
4. Ellis, W N. "Coleophora alticolella Zeller, 1849 common rush case-bearer". Plant Parasites of Europe. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
5. "421638.00 – 1379 – Coleophora alticolella – Zeller, 1849". Moths Photographers Group. Retrieved 18 January 2020.