Coleophora vestianella (Linnaeus, 1758)

eastern case-bearer

on Amaranthaceae

case

The larva feeds on th seeds, usually in the inflorescence, but also seeds that have fallen to the ground. The ultimate case is a trivalved, 6-7 mm long, brown paunchy tubular silken case with a mouth angle of 30°-35°. The larva several times has had to enlarge its case; to this end it then made a slit over the length of the case, then inserted a new strip of silk. The oldest parts are dark and covered with frass grains and detritus, the younger strips are much lighter and clean.

hostplants

Amaranthaceae, oligophagous

Amaranthus; Atriplex laciniata, patula, tornabenei; Camphorosma monspeliaca; Chenopodium album, opulifolium; Halimione portulacoides.

phenology

The larva only late in its development starts making a case, in September. It is full fed in October. After the winter diapause follows the pupation in spring, still in the case.

distribution within Europe

All Europe, except Ireland, Greece, and the Mediterranean islands (PESI, 2018).

larva

The cases cannot reliably be distinguished from those of C. saxicolella, sternipennella or versurella. However, in the larvae of vestianella the dark sclerites on the metanotum are almost as large as on the pronotum; in the other species mentioned these sclerites are much smaller.

synonyms

Coleophora annulatella Nylander, 1848; Coleophora laripennella (Zetterstedt, 1839).

references

Baldizzone (1979a, 1985d, 1989e, 2004a), Baldizzone, van der Wolf & Landry (2006a), Biesenbaum & van der Wolf (1999a), Emmet, Langmaid, Bland ao (1996a), Manning (1993a), Nel (1992b,c), Patzak (1974a), Razowski (1990a), Schütze (1931a), Suire (1961a), Toll (1952a).