37.101 BF576

Coleophora albicans
Wormwood Case-bearer

Zeller, 1849

Wingspan c. 12mm.

C. albicans is distributed along the eastern coastline from Kent northwards to southern Scotland, and occurs in saltmarshes and along sea-walls where the foodplant sea wormwood (Seriphidium maritimum) thrives.

The larva feeds at first on the leaves in a mine, and then builds a case from silk which it attaches to the plant surface and grazes from.

The adult moth flies in July and August and has a buff ground colour with white striations and darker specks.