Coleophora genistae

Coleophora genistae
Coleophora genistae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Coleophoridae
Genus: Coleophora
Species: C. genistae
Binomial name
Coleophora genistae
Stainton, 1857[1]

Coleophora genistae is a moth of the Coleophoridae family. It is found from Sweden to the Iberian Peninsula, Sardinia, Italy and Greece and from Great Britain to Romania. It is also known from Turkey.[2]

Sprig of Genista anglica with mined leaves
Larva
Larval case

The wingspan is about 12 mm. Adults have brownish forewings with a white costal streak. They are on wing from June to August in western Europe.[3]

The larvae feed on Genista anglica, Genista lobelii and Genista pilosa. They create a lobe case, with each lobe consisting of a mined leaflet that has been sliced open at one side. The complete case strongly resembles a grass spikelet. The mouth angle is 20-40°.[4] The leaves are blanched by the feeding. The larvae often feed gregariously, becoming a pest. Full-grown larvae can be found in June.

References