Coleophora genistae

Description

Coleophora genistae is a moth of the family Coleophoridae. It is found from Sweden to the Iberian Peninsula, Sardinia, Italy and Greece and from Great Britain to Romania. It is also known from Turkey. The wingspan is about 12 millimetres (0.47 in). Adults have brownish forewings with a white costal streak. They are on wing from June to August in western Europe. The larvae feed on Genista anglica, Genista lobelii and Genista pilosa. They create a lobe case, with each lobe consisting of a mined leaflet that has been sliced open at one side. The complete case strongly resembles a grass spikelet. The mouth angle is 20-40°. The leaves are blanched by the feeding. The larvae often feed gregariously, becoming a pest. Full-grown larvae can be found in June.