584 Coleophora alticolella
Zeller, 1849
Wingspan 10 - 12 mm.Before 1955, and sometimes more recently, this species was incorrectly called by the name of another Juncus feeding species, C. caespititiella. It is the most widespread and common British Coleophora species, occurring wherever the appropriate rush species grow and seed, up to 660 metres above sea level in some years.
Flight period June and July, possibly late April and May, at sunrise, dusk and night.
The adults resemble several other Coleophora species and are most reliably identified by dissection of the genitalia. The full grown larval case is very similar to that of another Juncus feeding species, C. glaucicolella, but the larvae can be differentiated.
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