Coleophora albitarsella
This record describes Coleophora albitarsella (species). Recorded family: Coleophoridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 10 to 13 mm. This grey winged moth resembles several others in the genus Coleophora, but the white tarsus on each leg (hind two pairs only on female) is conspicuous on live specimens. More reliable identification depends on examination of the genitalia, or rearing from the distinctively cased larva. larval stage: photograph the cased larva and mines on leaf; note host species in comments In open and shady habitats where the foodplants occur. The adult flies at night, and sometimes in sunlight, from mid June to August. Larvae feed on various plants such as Marjoram, various mints, Ground-ivy etc. Found throughout England and Wales and a few places in Scotland, distribution is at best local throughout and it is quite scarce further north. In the Butterfly Conservations Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/C.albitarsella.htm https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/gelechioidea/coleophoridae/coleophora/coleophora-albitarsella/
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Coleophoridae
- Genus
- Coleophora
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
In open and shady habitats where the foodplants occur.
Seasonal Activity
The adult flies at night, and sometimes in sunlight, from mid June to August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Larvae feed on various plants such as Marjoram, various mints, Ground-ivy etc.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Found throughout England and Wales and a few places in Scotland, distribution is at best local throughout and it is quite scarce further north. In the Butterfly Conservations Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Coleophora albitarsella. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Coleophora albitarsella (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Coleophora albitarsella
What is Coleophora albitarsella?
Coleophora albitarsella is a species in the family Coleophoridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Coleophora albitarsella found?
Habitat: In open and shady habitats where the foodplants occur.
When is Coleophora albitarsella active?
Coleophora albitarsella: seasonal activity - The adult flies at night, and sometimes in sunlight, from mid June to August..
What is the life cycle of a Coleophora albitarsella?
Larvae feed on various plants such as Marjoram, various mints, Ground-ivy etc.