Coleophora violacea

Wingspan 9 to11 mm. The adult resembles several other brownish Coleophora species, and examination of the genitalia is necessary. The larva feeds on a wide range of trees, shrubs and herbs. The larval cases are about 6 mm long. The dorsal surface of the case is usually covered in leaf fragments, but they can sometimes be worn off almost smooth. The ventral surface is swollen at the middle and has a keel, which usually bends upwards at the posterior.

The case is very similar to Coleophora potentillae, and it may be necessary to rear out the moths.

Adult leafmine + case

Adult: Adults of this species need to be confirmed by gen det.

Cased Larva: The species is rare in our area and records of the larval stage must be supported by good images, showing the larva from different angles and any feeding signs. It may be necessary to rear out the moth.  Please also state the host plant when submitting a larval record.

Various habitats.

The moth flies in evenings and at night in late May and June. The fully developed cased larva are active in October and again in April, after winter diapause. They may also be found through winter, fixed to a tree or fence post (during their winter diapause).

Widespread but very infrequent and local in Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as Nationally Scarce B.

Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland.  The Cadeby record of 18th October 2020 is the first for VC55.

http://www.leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/C.violacea.htm

https://bladmineerders.nl/parasites/animalia/arthropoda/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/gelechioidea/coleophoridae/coleophora/coleophora-violacea/