Photo © Andy Mitchell

Apple & Plum Case-bearer

Coleophora spinella

Checklist Number
37.016 [B&F: 0495]

Verification
Record requires retention of specimen until confirmed, and may require dissection. Consult with CMR if unsure

Classification

Family:Coleophoridae
Subfamily:Coleophorinae
Genus:Coleophora
Species:spinella
Authority:(Schrank, 1802)

Common in open woodland, scrubland, orchards, gardens and hedgerows throughout much of England and Wales; rare in Ireland. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight widespread and common. Wingspan 10.5-12 mm. Imago separable from C. coracipennella and C. prunifoliae only by dissection of the genitalia. Larva mines leaves of Hawthorn and Apple, living within a movable case; no feature is known for distinguishing cases of the three species, and the moths must therefore be bred and dissected, although cases on Hawthorn are more likely to be those of C. spinella.

The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:

No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Adult
Larval

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)