Early stages: Coleophora paripennella

It is that time of year again when it is worth keeping a close eye out for the feeding signs of various larvae, including the case bearing Coleophorids, many of which make very obvious feeding signs that betray their presence. I came across several cases of Coleophora paripennella yesterday on the basal rosette of leaves of Centaurea.

 
This last one is just to give an idea of scale...

On the up and up

Had the first warm night in a long time yesterday and whilst micros to the trap were still under-represented the dusking foray yesterday evening had me running around with my net and head torch like a madman.

Dusking, 22/5/12, East Kent

Cocksfoot Moth (Glyphipterix simpliciella) 5




Pseudoswammerdamia combinella



Monopis laevigella - 2



Plutella xylostella - 1
Parsnip Moth
Agonopterix alstromeriana
Elachista rufocinerea - 3
Aphelia paleana (larvae)
Endrosis sarcitrella

Still finding loads of Coleophora cases too:

C. peribenanderi - on creeping thistle
C. paripennella - on creeping thistle and knapweed
C. solitariella - 8
C. lineolea - 14 on one small clump of hedge woundwort, the feeding signs are now really obvious
C. serratella - on hazel

Dave

Just in case: Coleophora paripennella

It's the time of year when many of the overwintering larvae of the case-bearing Coleophorids resume feeding, often leaving tell-tale signs that allow them to be located.

I came across this case, Coleophora paripennella, when searching the basal rosette of leaves on Knapweed plants in the field adjacent to the house.








Feeding signs

Dave