Coleophora argentula
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.
| Coleophora argentula | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Coleophoridae |
| Genus: | Coleophora |
| Species: | C. argentula |
| Binomial name | |
| Coleophora argentula | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Description
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.[5]
- Pupa
Pupation takes place within the case.[5]
Gallery
- Larva
- Larval cases on yarrow seeds
- Close up of larval case
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
- Sneezewort (Achillea ptarmica)
Etymology
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
- "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.
- 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.