Coleophora kuehnella
This record describes Coleophora kuehnella (species). Recorded family: Coleophoridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan between 14 and 17 mm. Adult moths are white with some indistinct darker markings towards the wing tip. The larva mines the leaves of Oak. Adult: Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required, and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters. Larval Case: Please provide close up photograph of the case and state host plant. The species is associated with Oak. (See Life History) The larva feeds on oak (Quercus) and forms a very distinctive-looking case. In the later stages, the actual case is surrounded by a semi-transparent 'cloak' constructed from scale-like segments of silken material. This species is locally distributed mainly in the south-east of England, ranging northwards to the Midlands and Derbyshire. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local. http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/C.kuehnella.htm https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/gelechioidea/coleophoridae/coleophora/coleophora-kuehnella/ No additional images available for this species.
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
The species is associated with Oak. (See Life History)
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly in July and August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larva feeds on oak (Quercus) and forms a very distinctive-looking case. In the later stages, the actual case is surrounded by a semi-transparent 'cloak' constructed from scale-like segments of silken material.
Additional species information
Recorded status
This species is locally distributed mainly in the south-east of England, ranging northwards to the Midlands and Derbyshire. In the Butterfly Conservation's 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 kuehnella. 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 kuehnella (2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Coleophora kuehnella
What is Coleophora kuehnella?
Coleophora kuehnella is a species in the family Coleophoridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Coleophora kuehnella found?
Habitat: The species is associated with Oak. (See Life History)
When is Coleophora kuehnella active?
Coleophora kuehnella: seasonal activity - Adults fly in July and August..
What is the life cycle of a Coleophora kuehnella?
The larva feeds on oak (Quercus) and forms a very distinctive-looking case. In the later stages, the actual case is surrounded by a semi-transparent 'cloak' constructed from scale-like segments of silken material.