37.014 BF494

Coleophora coracipennella

(Hübner, 1796)

---

Wingspan 8.5-11.5 mm.

The larvae of this species feed on blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), apple (Malus), cherry (Prunus) and hawthorn (Crataegus). The larva initially makes a blotch mine in the leaf, which it then excises to form its case. The larva overwinters in its case before resuming feeding in spring. A new case, 6-7mm long, is then constructed from a further blotch mine.

Pupation occurs within the case in June. In common with many other Coleophoras the case is attached to the upper side of a leaf during this stage of the moths life cycle.

The dark, fuscous adults emerge in a single generation from mid-June to the end of July. Dissection is needed to confirm the identity of this moth, as it may be confused with other Coleophoras (spinella and prunifoliae) although there may often be differences in the colour of the forelegs (unicolorous in coracipennella).

The moth occurs in scattered colonies where the foodplants grow in England, Scotland and south Wales.

Gen. preps (Dissection Group website):

• C. coracipennella male
• C. coracipennella female