37.035 BF517

Clover Case-bearer Coleophora alcyonipennella

(Kollar, 1832)

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Wingspan c. 12mm.

Widely distributed across much of the British Isles, this species was formerly believed to be C. frischella but was correctly identified around the turn of this century.

It frequents rough grassy habitats, where the main foodplant, white clover (Trifolium repens) occurs. The larva feeds inside a case formed from a floret, and these are virtually impossible to see on the flower head. Larvae can be obtained by collecting the browning flowerheads and waiting for the larvae to detach their cases on the main flower head.

Adult moths fly in two generations, in May and June and again in late July and August.