Coleophora maritimella Newman, 1863 Species
Last modified: Jan. 20, 2024, 2:13 p.m.
A very rare and local species in Belgium, only found at our coast.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Coleophoridae > Genus: Coleophora > Species: Coleophora maritimella
- Vernacular names
- Zeeruskokermot (NL), Sea-rush case-bearer (EN), Meerstrand-Binsen-Sackmotte (DE)
- First mention in Belgium
- Jansen M. G. M. 2008. The Lepidoptera of the salt marshes of Het Zwin including two species new for the Belgian fauna (Lepidoptera). — Phegea 36(3): 109–118. On page 116. view page
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan: 9–11 mm.
The forewings are light ochreous with barely visible white stripes.
The antennae are vaguely ringed.
Museum specimens
No pictures yet!Specimens in nature
No pictures yet!Case
The larvae live in a seed case in an eaten out dried flower.
The mouth angle is 20–30°.
See also bladmineerders.be.
Bionomics
The eggs are deposited on the flowers of the food plant.
The cases are very hard to find but the caterpillar leaves holes in the other empty seeds so revealing its presence.
The larvae are present on the hostplant from September till November, mostly staying there to hibernate, and then feeding again in springtime.
Flight periods
The adults are on the wing the whole of July till the beginning of August.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Juncus maritimus
Monophagously on Juncus maritimus.
Habitat
Restricted to the coast, in areas where the hostplant grows.
