Coleophora coracipennella

Wingspan 8.5 to11.5 mm. This is a dark, fuscous species. Dissection is needed to confirm the identity of this moth as it may be confused with other Coleophora species.

Areas where the larval foodplants occur.

Adults emerge in a single generation from mid-June to the end of July.

The larvae of this species feed on Blackthorn, Apple, Cherry and Hawthorn. The larva initially makes a blotch mine in the leaf, which it then excises to form its case. The larva overwinters in its case before resuming feeding in spring. A new case, 6 or 7mm long, is then constructed from a further blotch mine. Pupation occurs within the case in June. In common with many other Coleophoras the case is attached to the upper side of a leaf during this stage of the moths life cycle.

The moth occurs in scattered colonies where the foodplants grow in England, Scotland and south Wales. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.

It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded).