| Coleophora argentula | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Coleophoridae |
| Genus: | Coleophora |
| Species: | C. argentula
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| Binomial name | |
| Coleophora argentula | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Coleophora argentula is a moth of the family Coleophoridae, found in most of Europe, Russia and Asia Minor. The larvae live in cases and feed on the seeds of yarrow and sneezewort.
Description[edit]
The wingspan is 9.5–13 mm.[2] The forewing is cream-coloured with distinct white longitudinal stripes and with oblique streaks and scattered fuscous scales. Certain identification requires examination of genitalia preparations. Adults are on wing in June and July.[3]
Eggs are laid on the flowers of yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and sneezewort (Achillea ptarmica).[4]
- Larva
The early instars feed from early September on the withering flowers and seeds. Early larvae feed in the seedheads which can be attached together with silk; often making a long gallery and a flimsy, silken case at one end. This case is initially white, but becomes brown when fully formed and reaches a length of about 5–6 mm.[5]
- Pupa
Pupation takes place within the case.[5]
Gallery[edit]
-
Larva -
Larval cases on yarrow seeds -
Close up of larval case -
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) -
Sneezewort (Achillea ptarmica)
Etymology[edit]
The genus Coleophora was raised by the German entomologist Jacob Hübner in 1822. The name refers to a sheath, i.e. to carry, from the portable case the larvae make. The moth was named argentula by the English entomologist James Francis Stephens in 1834, from a specimen found near London, England. The species name comes from argentum – the silver streaks along the veins on the forewing, which are in contrast to the ochreous ground colour.[5][6]
References[edit]
- ^ "Coleophora argentula (Stephens, 1834)". Fauna Europaea. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
- ^ Kimber, Ian. "37.102 BF563 Coleophora argentula (Stephens, 1834)". ukmoths. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
- ^ The Casebearers of the Volga-Ural inter-river region (Lepidoptera, Coleophoridae)
- ^ Ellis, W N. "Coleophora argentula (Stephens, 1834) yarrow case-bearer on Achillea". Plant Parasites of Europe. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
- ^ a b c Emmet, A M (1996). Coleophoridae. In The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland. Volume 3. Colchester: Harley Books. pp. 303–4. ISBN 0-946589-56-9.
- ^ Emmet, A Maitland (1991). The Scientific Names of the British Lepidoptera. Their history and meaning. Colchester: Harley Books. pp. 74, 75 & 78. ISBN 0-946589-35-6.
External links[edit]