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Coleophora orbitella
Dusky Case-bearer Zeller, 1849
Coleophoridae
511 / 37.029
Photo © Neil Sherman,  Case on Birch. Loch Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland. September 2019

Similar Suffolk Species
Keeled Case-bearer
Coleophora siccifolia
Common Case-bearer
Coleophora serratella
Wingspan: 10-14mm
Flight: May - June
Foodplant:   Birch, Alder
Nat Status: Nationally Scarce B
Verification Grade:  Adult: 4  Case: C2

Morley’s Final Catalogue: Not listed.

Recent Status: A rare species in Suffolk.

Life Style: The moth is single brooded flying May to July. The larvae mine leaves of Betula and Alnus. They hibernate fully fed and pupate the following spring.

Identification: A large Coleophora species with fuscous to grey forewings. They can be identified by genitalia dissection with care. More Info
The larvae construct a case initially from the excised first blotch. They feed from the underside of a leaf and extend their case with further pieces of leaf arranged diagonally. The final piece represents around a third or a half of the length. The early cases have an oral opening set at around 50 degrees. The oral opening of the final case is 10 to 30 degrees to the long axis. The case shown on the dissection web site is atypical. More Info

Determination by Genitalia Examination (gen. det.) Required

Case: A good quality photo or specimen of the case and plant/pabulum is required.

Recorded in 4 (7%) of 58 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 2002.
Last Recorded in 2023.

Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
07/07/2023+25TM34 - Hollesley/Rendlesham Forest
17/06/2017+25TM34 - Hollesley/Rendlesham Forest
03/07/2014+25TM35 - Snape/Tunstall
25/10/2004125TM24 - Woodbridge/Martlesham
28/06/2002+25TM46 - Minsmere/Leiston
Further info: Coleophora orbitella
 
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