Coleophora trifolii (Curtis, 1832) Species
Last modified: March 20, 2024, 6:08 p.m.
An uncommon species throughout Belgium.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Coleophoridae > Genus: Coleophora > Species: Coleophora trifolii
- Vernacular names
- Lichte metaalkokermot (NL), Large clover casebearer (EN)
- Synonyms
- Coleophora frischella sensu auct., nec (Linnaeus, 1758)
- First mention in Belgium
- De Fré Ch. 1858. Catalogue des Microlépidoptères de la Belgique. — Annales de la Société entomologique belge 2: 45–162. On page 141 (as Coleophora alcyonipennella Kollar). view page
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan 14,5–20 mm. The forewings are metal golden green. The tips of the wings are darker with a tiny purplish appearance.
Museum specimens
No pictures yet!Specimens in nature
Genitalia
Case
It lives in a silken case that is enclosed in one, later several, mostly three, emptied pods.
See also bladmineerders.be.
Bionomics
The eggs are deposited on a flower of the food plant. The final case is about 9 mm with a mouth angle of 70°. The larvae live from July till early September. They mostly overwinter at ground level.
Pupation takes place after the winter, still in the case.
The adults can be seen flying or running up and down the stem during the day.
Flight periods
The adults fly in one generation a year from May to July.
Observed on
- Host plant (genera):
- Melilotus
The larva feeds on Melilotus officinalis, Melilotus altissima, Melilotus alba, and Melilotus elegans*.
