Hantsmoths

Common on heathland, damp meadows, marshes and a wide range of other habitats throughout much of the British Isles. Probably the most ubiquitous species of Coleophora occurring in the British Isles, having been recorded from almost every county and often in great abundance (MBGBI Vol 3). In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight widespread and common, most frequent in the south-east. Wingspan 10-12 mm. Very similar to C. glaucicolella. Like many of the Coleophora, imagines are virtually impossible to identify without recourse to dissection, and the larvae, which live in cases of characteristic form and which can sometimes be found on the foodplant, may be easier to identify by comparison against a reference collection. Larva feeds on seeds of Soft-rush and Heath Rush, living within a movable case.