37.087 BF572

Coleophora vestianella

(Linnaeus, 1758)

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Wingspan 12 - 14.5mm.

The most local (Nationally Scarce A) and least common of the coleophorids that feed on goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae). Found most regularly on the Suffolk coast and the Brecks of Suffolk/Norfolk on "waste" ground, arable land and sand-hills.

The larva feeds from a moveable case on the seeds of Common Orache (Atriplex patula) and the adult is on the wing in June and July. It has pale forewings with darker speckling between the veins giving it a faintly striated appearance. It is, however, quite similar to several other species so individuals are best identified by dissection.

The name "vestianella" was intended for a clothes- moth (from "vestis", a garment) but Linnaeus muddled his specimens so this coleophorid became the type specimen.