Coleophora spinella

The apple-and-plum casebearer (Coleophora spinella) is a moth of the family Coleophoridae. It is found in Europe, the Near East and North America.

Coleophora spinella
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Coleophoridae
Genus:
Coleophora
Species:
C. spinella
Binomial name
Coleophora spinella
(Schrank, 1802)
Synonyms
  • Tinea spinella Schrank, 1802
  • Coleophora cerasivorella Packard, 1870

The wingspan is 10–12 mm. Coleophora species have narrow blunt to pointed forewings and a weakly defined tornus. The hindwings are narrow-elongate and very long-fringed. The upper surfaces have neither a discal spot nor transverse lines. Each abdomen segment of the abdomen has paired patches of tiny spines which show through the scales. The resting position is horizontal with the front end raised and the cilia give the hind tip a frayed and upturned look if the wings are rolled around the body. C. spinella characteristics include forewing fuscous, ochreous brown or greyish without longitudinal streaks or white markings. The antenna are white with fuscous rings. [1]

Genitalia preparation

C. spinella can only be reliably identified by dissection and microscopic examination of the genitalia. The moth flies from June to July depending on the location.

The larvae feed on Crataegus, apple, Prunus cerasus, Prunus spinosa (and perhaps other Prunus), Pyrus communis (and perhaps other Pyrus species), Sorbus and Cotoneaster. The larvae live for two years. In the first year a composite leaf case is made in autumn that resembles a boomerang. In the second year, the larva makes a trivalved tubular leaf case of about 6 mm, with a mouth angle of about 45°.[2]

References
  1. Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Keys and description
  2. Ellis, W N. "Coleophora spinella (Schrank, 1802) apple & plum case-bearer". Plant Parasites of Europe. Retrieved 28 October 2019.


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