Coleophora tamesis
This record describes Coleophora tamesis (species). Recorded family: Coleophoridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 11 to 14 mm. As with most Coleophora species gen det is required for species id. Damp places where Jointed Rush is present. The eggs of this species are laid on the florets of Jointed Rush. The larva forms a case from silk and the remains of the seed capsule. The larvae overwinter, away from the feeding places, and pupation occurs in May and June. Widespread but rather local. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local. 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
Damp places where Jointed Rush is present.
Seasonal Activity
Adults emerge from mid-June to August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The eggs of this species are laid on the florets of Jointed Rush. The larva forms a case from silk and the remains of the seed capsule. The larvae overwinter, away from the feeding places, and pupation occurs in May and June.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread but rather local. 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 tamesis. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Coleophora tamesis
What is Coleophora tamesis?
Coleophora tamesis is a species in the family Coleophoridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Coleophora tamesis found?
Habitat: Damp places where Jointed Rush is present.
When is Coleophora tamesis active?
Coleophora tamesis: seasonal activity - Adults emerge from mid-June to August..
What is the life cycle of a Coleophora tamesis?
The eggs of this species are laid on the florets of Jointed Rush. The larva forms a case from silk and the remains of the seed capsule. The larvae overwinter, away from the feeding places, and pupation occurs in May and June.