Coleophora alnifoliae Barasch, 1934 Species
Last modified: Nov. 18, 2023, 2:50 p.m.
A fairly common species throughout Belgium, more distributed in the northern part.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Coleophoridae > Genus: Coleophora > Species: Coleophora alnifoliae
- Vernacular names
- Elzenkokermot (NL), Brown alder case-bearer (EN)
- First mention in Belgium
- Dufrane A. 1960. Microlépidoptères de la faune belge, (neuvième note). — Bulletin du Musée royal d'Histoire naturelle de Belgique 36(29): 1–16. On page 13.
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan: 12–14 mm.
C. alnifoliae is ochreous to light brown with a grey tinge.
The antennae are ringed alternately white and brown to 5/6 of the top while the remaining part is uniformly white.
Museum specimens
No pictures yet!Specimens in nature
No pictures yet!Caterpillar
The white caterpillar has a dark-brown head.
Case
This species builds a slender, brown, spatula case cut out of a leaf.
In May, the fully grown case is about 13 mm long. The mouth angle is circa 15°.
See also bladmineerders.be.
Bionomics
The eggs are deposited on the underside of a leaf of the host plant.
Before wintertime, mostly in September or October, the larva makes two consecutive youth cases . It resumes feeding in May, making the final case, in which it also pupates, in June, preferably on a twig and less often on a leaf.
Flight periods
The adults fly in June and particularly in July.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Alnus glutinosa and Alnus incana
- Host plant (genera):
- Alnus and Betula
The larvae can be found mainly on Alnus glutinosa, Alnus incana, less frequently on Betula.
Habitat
This species occurs everywhere in places with Alnus trees.
