Last modified: Oct. 10, 2024, 6:07 p.m.
A very rare and local and seldom seen species in Belgium.
Native
Wingspan is 11–14 mm. The forewings are silvery-white and darkened at the tip of the wing with ochreous veins.
The antennae are ringed alternately brown and white till the tip.
At first there is a fleck-mine.
The caterpillar makes a black pistol case. The case is covered with grey plant hairs but to a variable degree.
The case is to compare with Coleophora albidella also on the same food plant. The case of C. zelleriella is not paunchy.
The mouth angle is 75°–90°. Caterpillars are fully grown in June.
The adults are on the wing from the end of June till the beginning of August.
This species feeds monophagously on Salicaceae like Salix aurita, S. caprea and S. cinerea.