Seq # 275020940

Coleophora trifolii (Curtis, 1832) Species

Last modified: June 17, 2024, 12:17 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.

No pictures yet!

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.

No pictures yet!