Coleophora lutarea (Haworth, 1828)
on Stellaria
parasite
The larva passes almost its entire life in a capsule, feeding on the ripening seeds; at the outside nothing betrays its presence. Only when full-grown, it makes a silken case within the now empty and dry capsule, that has been cut loose from its peduncle; only the tip of the case projects from the mouth of the capsule. Sometimes the larva continues for a while feeding on another capsule, but most often it leaves the host plant and walks up a tree. Here it gnaws a cavity in the bark, leaving the case behind, and enters the winter diapause.
host plants
Caryophyllaceae, narrowly monophagous
Stellaria holostea.
phenology
The larvae are full fed and leave their capsule in mid-June.
distribution within Europe
Most of Europa, not in Ireland and the Balkan Peninsula; Corley ao, (PESI, 2018).
BENELUX
Observed in Belgium (De Prins & Steeman) and in the Netherlands (Microlepidoptera).
synonyms
Metriotes lutarea; Metriotes modestella (Duponchel, 1838).
references
Arbeitsgemeinschaft Microlepidoptera Bayern (2017a), Bauer, Stübner, Neinhuis & Nuss (2012a), Biesenbaum & van der Wolf (1999a), Corley, Marabuto, Maravalhas ao (2008a), Corley, Nunes, Rosete & Ferreira (2019a), Corley, Rosete, Gonçalves ao (2018a), Emmet, Langmaid, Bland ao (1996a), Ivinskis & Savenkov (1991a), Pröse (1995a), Patzak (1974a,b), De Prins & Steeman (2011a), Robbins (1991a), Toll (1962a).