Coleophora saxicolella

Description

Coleophora saxicolella is a moth of the family Coleophoridae. It is found from most of the Palearctic - Europe to central Asia. The wingspan is 13–16 mm. Adults are on wing in July and August. Coleophora species have narrow blunt to pointed forewings and a weakly defined tornus.The hindwings are narrow-elongate and very long-fringed. The upper surfaces have neither a discal spot nor transverse lines. Each abdomen segment of the abdomen has paired patches of tiny spines which show through the scales. The resting position is horizontal with the front end raised and the cilia give the hind tip a frayed and upturned look if the wings are rolled around the body. C. saxicolella characteristics include:- Forewing obscurely streaked, with pale costa. Streaks overlaid with scattered fuscous scales.Only reliably identified by dissection and microscopic examination of the genitalia. The larvae feed on Chenopodium and Atriplex species. They feed on the generative organs of their host plant. The larvae make a silken case of 6–7 mm. Pupation occurs in the case on the ground.