Coleophora maritimella Newman, 1873

sea-rush case-bearer

on Juncus

parasite

The larva lives in a seed case: a dried flower of which the seed has been eaten out, and lined with silk. The mouth is where the peduncle was, and has an angle of 20°-30°. The cases are perfectly camouflaged, but the larva betrays its presence by the striking holes in the sides of the emptied fruits.

host plants

Juncaceae, narrowly monophagous

Juncus acutus, gerardi, maritimus.

phenology

Active larvae from September till November; a part of the larvae hibernates on the host plant and resumes feeding in the spring.

distribution within Europe

Coastal region of all Europe (PESI, 2018).

synonyms

Coleophora obtusella Stainton, 1874.

references

Baldizzone (1979a, 1982e, 1983c, 1985c, 1996a, 2020a), Baldizzone, Bella & Russo (1999a), Baldizzone & van der Wolf (2000a), Corley (2005a), Emmet, Langmaid, Bland ao (1996a), Gielis, Huisman, Kuchlein ao (1985a), Jansen (1985a, 2008a), Jansen & Asselbergs (1993a), Kaltenbach & Roesler (1985a), Langohr & Schreurs (1987a), Michaelis (1983a), Nel (1992c), Patzak (1974b), Roweck & Savenkov (2007a), Wegner (2010a).