37.016 BF495

Apple & Plum Case-bearer Coleophora spinella

(Schrank, 1802)

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Wingspan 10-12 mm.

Distributed throughout England and Wales to southern Scotland and locally in Ireland. This species can only be definitely separated as an adult by reference to the genitalia, from the very similar C. coracipennella and C. prunifoliae.

The larva, like those species, creates blotch mines and later lives in a series of portable cases, on hawthorn (Crataegus), apple (Malus) or blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) among others.

The moth is quite common within its range, and flies in June and July.

Gen. preps (Dissection Group website):

• C. spinella male
• C. spinella female