Coleophora argenteonivea Walsingham, 1907

case

Before the hibernation the larva makes two or three cases consisting of a single leaf fragment; after the winter a composite leaf case is made. The latter consists of 3 – 4 leaf fragments; the case is brown, c. 15 mm long, bivalved, and has a mouth angle of c. 45°; dorsally and ventrally the case bears a strong but irregular keel.

hostplants

Asteraceae, oligophagous

Centaurea pectinata; Cynara cardunculus.

Probably on more species of these or related genera.

phenology

Larvae from August till May.

distribution within Europe

Southern France, Spain and Portugal, Sardinia (Fauna Europaea, 2010).

notes

Until recently often confused with C. brevipalpella Wocke.

references

Baldizzone (1991a), Baldizzone & Nel (1993a).